Top Firms in Washington, D.C. and Nashville, Tennessee Will Offer Clients Federal and State Lobbying Expertise
Washington, D.C. (February 14, 2024) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, and BHA Strategy, the leading public affairs advisory firm in Nashville, Tennessee, have announced the establishment of a strategic partnership to provide federal, state, and local advocacy services in Tennessee, a top state in the U.S. for advanced industry job growth.
Building off the growth of BGR’s offices in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, BHA, led by Blake Harris, Governor Bill Lee’s first Chief of Staff, will support BGR’s clients in Tennessee through legislative and executive branch lobbying while maintaining the firm’s own roster of clients involved commercial real estate development, healthcare, infrastructure, and higher education issues. BHA will work with BGR to offer its lobbying capabilities to the leading growth sectors in Nashville including health, finance, hospitality and entertainment, and advanced manufacturing.
Bob Wood, Chairman and CEO of BGR Group, commented, “The synergies between our two firms on international, federal and state advocacy, public affairs, and economic development will allow us to provide elite client servicing by sharing resources and working together. We are excited about this partnership.”
Formed in 2021, BHA has quickly become one of the leading public affairs firms in Tennessee with a reputation for achieving client results. In addition to Blake Harris, BHA’s unmatched policy and political experience in Tennessee includes Brent Easley, President; Laine Arnold, Co-founder and Senior Vice President; David Topping, Vice President of Research, and Douglas Sellers, Senior Advisor.
BHA CEO Blake Harris commented, “We are thrilled to partner with D.C.’s most effective lobbying firm to continue growing our client services through expanded expertise in governmental affairs, public relations, and due diligence research. Tennessee is experiencing unprecedented economic growth led by low taxes, a robust workforce and a steady political climate. This growth has established a firm foundation for an impactful and flourishing partnership between BHA and BGR in Tennessee and beyond.”
CNBC ranked Tennessee as the third best state for business in 2023 and the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is one of the top five cities in the nation for job outpacing competing cities such as New York, L.A., Chicago, Denver, and Charlotte.
Consistently ranked as a Bloomberg Government “Standout” Firm, BGR Group is recognized for its policy expertise in health care, technology, appropriations, defense and financial services. Loren Monroe, a BGR principal and co-head of the firm’s State and Local Advocacy Practice, commented, “Working together, I am excited to connect our federal policy experts with business leaders in Tennessee. With competitive elections for President and control of Congress in November, there are significant policy implications for 2025.”
About BGR Group (www.bgrdc.com)
Founded in 1991, BGR Group is a premier government affairs and public relations firm with offices in Washington, D.C., London, Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia. BGR specializes in three key areas: bipartisan government affairs, strategic communications, and business advisory services. BGR brings together some of the most accomplished policy experts, public opinion influencers, and issue advocates from across the political spectrum.
About BHA Strategy (BHA Strategy):
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, BHA Strategy is a full-service, strategic consulting firm providing expertise in government affairs, public relations, and corporate intelligence. With deep roots in both political campaigns and public service, BHA’s team applies winning campaign strategies and senior advisor expertise to the biggest challenges facing startups, corporations, and causes. BHA retains a political skill set that includes public opinion research, digital marketing, and media production/placement. The firm’s core focus is multi-state government affairs, strategic communication, and reputation management.