State and Local Advocacy Archives

Kirk Adams

Kirk Adams is a Managing Director with BGR Group. He is a fourth-generation Arizonan and founder of Phoenix-based Consilium Consulting, which partners with BGR Group on federal and state lobbying initiatives on issues including health care, economic development, defense and fintech.

Kirk has extensive experience in state government. In 2008, he was elected as the youngest Speaker of the House in Arizona, eventually going on to serve as Governor Doug Ducey’s Chief of Staff from 2014 to 2018. In his time as Chief of Staff, Kirk served as the principal adviser and implementer of the Governor’s political, policy, and government operations agenda.

Following his time in state government, Kirk founded Consilium Consulting, which offers top-tier professional services to guide clients through intricate policy challenges, leading to long-term solutions. Kirk and his team specialize in city, county, state, and federal government affairs, legislative affairs, and general consulting.

Lisa Gherbi

Lisa Gherbi is a Government Affairs Coordinator supporting BGR Group’s State and Appropriations teams. She joined the firm in April 2025 and brings experience in federal government operations, diplomacy, and international relations.

Prior to joining BGR, Lisa served as an Executive Assistant at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), where she supported the Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator and front office leadership in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia. In this role, she coordinated high-level events, travel, and stakeholder engagement, managed executive scheduling, and helped develop standard operating procedures to improve internal operations.

Lisa’s background also includes a co-op with the U.S. Department of Commerce at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, where she focused on international business and trade, as well as an internship with the Consulate General of France in Boston, where she supported press and communications efforts.

Originally from Massachusetts, Lisa earned a B.A. in Political Science and International Affairs from Northeastern University in May 2024.

Alessandra Italiano

Alessandra Italiano is a Policy Associate specializing in Appropriations at BGR Group. In this role, she supports clients by providing analysis on federal funding decisions, assisting with appropriations requests, and tracking key budgetary developments across various sectors. Alessandra plays a central role in preparation of legislative reports, briefings, and updates, ensuring clients are informed on the latest trends and opportunities.

Alessandra first joined the appropriations field in early 2025 after interning with the offices of Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Congressman John Garamendi. During her internships, she gained valuable experience in policy research and legislative operations, supporting the teams on a variety of legislative projects and constituents’ services.

Alessandra holds a degree in Public Policy and Sociology from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania. She has a strong background in policy and public service, which she developed through her work in both local government and nonprofit sectors. Originally from Massachusetts, she now brings her expertise to Washington, DC.

Blake Harris

Blake Harris is a Managing Director with BGR Group. His background as a strategist with national influence in politics, business, and economic development makes him one of the leading advocates in Tennessee. He manages BGR’s Nashville presence.

Blake has been a core part of Tennessee’s historic economic development and a number of initiatives that have reshaped health care and public education. He previously served as Gov. Bill Lee’s Chief of Staff for three years and was a key player in the administration’s historic TennCare III waiver approval, the successful recruitment of Ford’s Blue Oval City, and Oracle’s Nashville move, among other wins. Blake was the political strategist behind Gov. Lee’s dark horse gubernatorial win in 2018, and the governor’s resounding 2022 re-election win.

Blake founded BHA Strategy in 2022 with a special emphasis on government affairs and strategic communications for companies and startups in highly regulated industries. Blake is a partner in several technology companies, and a non-practicing attorney and real estate investor.

Julia Canady King

Julia Canady King serves as a Director for Washington and Florida for BGR Group. With a background in state government policy management, particularly in Florida, Julia assists BGR clients with building advocacy strategies to help them achieve their legislative objectives.

Prior to joining BGR, Julia served as Government Affairs Manager for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry. In this role she represented priorities at the state and federal level for outdoor brands and hospitality groups. She coordinated with 50 state level associations on state legislative priorities and coalition efforts, led congressional outreach and strategy at the federal level, and managed public affairs efforts and subsequent grassroots campaigns on issues ranging from seasonal labor to tax issues.

Julia also served as the Federal Affairs Coordinator for the Office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Office of Federal Relations & Intergovernmental Affairs. In this role, she served as a liaison between the federal government and Gov. DeSantis’s Office of Policy and Budget. She was responsible for briefing staff across eight policy units on all federal policy issues, assisting in the development of policy initiatives, and advising on issues with a federal government nexus. She also assisted with communication and outreach to offices within the Florida Congressional Delegation and served as a point of contact for the Office of Policy and Budget on federally declared emergencies, with a particular focus on hurricane response and disaster supplemental funding.

Julia also served as a Gubernatorial Fellow in Gov. DeSantis’ Tallahassee and D.C. offices, where she functioned as a liaison to the Office of Policy and Budget for federal rulemaking process and connected Washington-based experts with Tallahassee-based policy units. Julia also facilitated Hurricane Ian rapid response and ongoing recovery efforts and served as the primary policy analyst on state redistricting, covering state legislative committees.

Prior to joining Gov. DeSantis’s office, Julia worked with Heritage Action for America in support of data collection and advocacy efforts connected with the Virginia gubernatorial race in 2021.

Julia is a native Floridian and a graduate of the University of Florida and the Florida State University College of Law.

Nick Iarossi

Nick Iarossi is a Managing Director with BGR Group. He helps clients navigate political and policy challenges at the local, state and federal levels.

A founding member of Florida-based Capital City Consulting, Nick has been a leading advocate for over 20 years. He was recognized by Influence Magazine as one of the top 100 Most Influential People in Florida, a member of The News Service of Florida’s Power 100, and the most influential lobbyist in the State of Florida according to The Florida Standard. 

Nick is considered the best in his field representing a diverse client base in sectors such as: financial services, insurance, environmental, gaming, retail, education, information technology, and procurement. Throughout his career, Nick successfully lobbied for countless pieces of legislation on behalf of his clients and secured billions of dollars in legislative appropriations. Furthermore, Nick is often relied on by clients to assist on various public affairs efforts such as crisis management, message development, ballot initiatives and political branding.

Nick is active politically and a prolific fundraiser who has served in leadership positions on several national and state campaigns. Most recently, Nick raised money for the Trump 47 Campaign and supporting committees. Prior to that, Nick served as the National Finance Co-Chair for the DeSantis for President Campaign. In 2016, he served on the Marco Rubio for President National Finance Committee. Additionally, Nick served as the Inaugural Co-Chair and Inaugural Finance Chair for both of Governor Ron DeSantis’ inaugurations for Governor, and on both Inaugural Committees of Governor Rick Scott.

In 2023, along with BGR Group and other nationally leading public affairs firms, Nick and his Capital City Consulting partners helped found Advocus Partners, a bipartisan, national, public affairs firm that provides comprehensive and integrated government advocacy and advisory services for every level of government in all regions of the country.

Before starting Capital City Consulting, Nick practiced law and government affairs at a prominent Florida law firm after working in the Senate Majority Office and Office of Insurance Regulation. Nick graduated from Florida State University with honors, where he served as student body president and also received his JD from Florida State University Law School.  He is a member of the Seminole Boosters Board of Directors and served on the university’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee. 

Nick enjoys giving back by mentoring students, supporting the March of Dimes, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and many other charities.

Anna Reese Couhig

Anna Reese Couhig is a Policy Analyst in the State and Local Advocacy and Appropriations practices at BGR Group. In this role, she supports clients on a variety of policy issues by conducting research and analysis, providing regular legislative updates, developing briefing materials and reports, and drafting correspondence. Anna Reese also plays a key role in coordinating congressional meetings, assisting with fly-ins, and performing administrative duties in relation to advocacy efforts.

Prior to joining BGR Group, Anna Reese interned with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and worked on a variety of Democratic congressional campaigns. Anna Reese graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2023 with a B.A. in public policy leadership and a B.A. in English with an emphasis in literature, justice, and society. While at Ole Miss, Anna Reese served as Senior Class Vice President, Chief of Staff for TEDxUniversityofMississippi, and as an ambassador for the university’s English department. Additionally, Anna Reese graduated as a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College after the successful defense of her thesis examining student perceptions of COVID-19 mitigation strategies and correlation to demographics.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Anna Reese joined BGR Group as a clerk and researcher after moving to Washington, D.C. in August 2023.

Labriah Lee Holt

Labriah Lee Holt joined BGR in October 2023. She serves as a Vice President with the State and Local Advocacy Practice and Director of the firm’s Atlanta office. Her role capitalizes on her vast experience in bipartisan advocacy and law, where she has established strong connections with Democratic policy makers nationwide. Labriah helps clients strategize policy campaigns that advance their objectives and advances the firm’s outreach to Democratic governors, mayors and attorneys general.

Prior to joining BGR, Labriah was State Government Affairs Director for Microsoft. In this capacity, she spearheaded initiatives across the southeast, engaging with state and local officials on key issues such as artificial intelligence, datacenter expansion, cybersecurity, privacy, education, and broadband access. Her adeptness in partner engagement also saw her play a pivotal role in fostering relationships with entities like the United States Conference of Mayors, Attorneys General Associations, and the African American Mayors Association’s Business Council.

Before her tenure at Microsoft, from 2013-2021, Labriah served as the Northeast Regional Director of Outreach, and subsequently a National Director of Political Outreach, for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Her efforts in these positions involved leading political coalition building and practice at the federal, state and local levels to propel bipartisan policy forward. Her dedication and policy advancement garnered recognition from the New York State Assembly and a Congressional Proclamation from Congressman Charles Rangel.

Labriah’s professional journey began at Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta, GA, as a Senior Associate specializing in intellectual property. She provided counsel to Fortune 100 companies and nonprofit organizations on patents, trademarks, copyright, social media, and brand protection. She served on the boards for the Black Women’s Health Imperative and as Vice Chair for the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project. She is a former member of the Anit-Defamation League’s Charles F. Wittenstein Advisory Committee, the Atlanta Citizen Review Board, and Gen 44 Atlanta Finance Committee for the DNC.

Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.

Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr., serves as a Vice President in BGR’s State and Local Advocacy Practice. Keiffer helps clients navigate issues at the state and local level and shares his unique, bipartisan perspective as a former aide to a Republican governor, an elected Democratic State Delegate, and a former Baltimore City Councilman.

Keiffer served in various roles for eight years under state Maryland Governor Larry Hogan including Acting Chief of Staff, Chief Legislative Officer and Senior Counsel, and Senior Advisor. He worked with Governor Hogan and cabinet agencies to prioritize policy issues as well as to advance budgets and the legislative priorities before the Maryland General Assembly. He also acted as the Governor’s chief negotiator with the General Assembly leadership and drive consensus on critical issues including allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Additionally, Keiffer was involved in advancing Governor Hogan’s signature issues including the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-Tech) Program, education, cybersecurity, broadband deployment, and infrastructure policies.

From 2011 to 2015, Keiffer served as an elected member of the Maryland House of Delegates where he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Economic Matters Committee, and the Baltimore Regional Revitalization Task Force. He previously served on the Baltimore City Council from 1995 to 2007. As a city councilman, Keiffer was Chairman of the Taxation Committee and Education Committee. In addition to his public service, Keiffer also taught middle and high school history at his alma mater Boys’ Latin School and coached basketball and tennis.

Currently, Keiffer serves on the Board of Directors at the Maryland Center for History & Culture, Maryland Government Relations Association, and The Signal 13 Foundation. Keiffer earned his B.A. from Emory University (Political Science) and his J.D. from District of Columbia School of Law.

Halie Hughes

Halie Hughes, Senior Associate on the State and Local Practice, joined BGR in April 2022 in the BGR Austin, Texas Office. Halie helps clients manage and further their relationships with Texas State and local leaders from the Executive branch down to Mayors and City Council officials. Halie also assists with BGR’s quickly growing Attorney General practice, helping multi-state clients navigate and take a proactive approach to the Attorney General world through specific offices and various associations.

Prior to joining BGR in April 2022, Halie served for six years as a Texas Assistant Attorney General, as both Plaintiff and Defense attorney, in the Medicaid Fraud and General Litigation Divisions. While at the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Halie represented the State of Texas, Governor’s Office, Texas Legislature, and Agency officials in litigation spanning the gamut from healthcare fraud, to employment disputes including terminations and licensing revocations, to defending the State in Covid-19 litigation.

Before her time at the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Halie served as plaintiff counsel at a boutique law firm representing homeowners against homeowner associations and spent time with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Safari Club International while in law school.

Halie received a B.A. from Clemson University in 2011 and a J.D. from Florida Coastal in 2015. While at Clemson, Halie was active in College Republicans and volunteered for several Presidential and Congressional campaigns. She also studied in the Eastern Balkans as well as in South America studying war crimes and Spanish. While in law school, Halie was an active member of Moot Court and the Pro Bono Honor Society.