WASHINGTON, DC – Ballard Partners, a leading international lobbying firm, today announced the strategic addition of four distinguished lobbyists to its Washington, D.C. office: Thomas Boodry, Grace Colvin, Alison Anway and Scott Wagner. This significant expansion of talent is complemented by the firm’s new, larger footprint in its Washington office, occupying approximately 20,000 square feet.

These new hires bring a wealth of experience and diverse expertise that will further enhance Ballard Partners’ ability to serve its growing client base across various sectors.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Grace, Thomas, Scott, and Alison to our powerhouse Washington team,” said Brian Ballard, President of Ballard Partners. “Their combined experience and deep understanding of the policy landscape will be invaluable to our clients as we continue to navigate complex issues in Washington. This expansion of both our talent and our physical presence in the Homer Building underscores our firm’s sustained growth and unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled advocacy and strategic counsel.”

Meet the Additions to the Ballard Partners Washington Team:

• Thomas Boodry has spent the past decade working in public service and national security. Most recently, he served as Special Assistant to President Donald J. Trump and Senior Director for Legislative Affairs at the National Security Council. Prior to his White House service, Thomas served on Capitol Hill as Legislative Director to Congressman Michael Waltz (FL-06), Legislative Director to Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), and Legislative Aide to then-Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). In these roles, he advised Members of Congress on appropriations, national security, and foreign policy, and served as Congressman Waltz’s lead staff for his work on the House Intelligence, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees.
• Grace Colvin joins Ballard Partners from The League of Credit Unions and Affiliates, where she served as Vice President of Federal Advocacy and Strategy for the past four years. In that capacity, she represented nearly 400 credit unions across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia before the White House, Congress and regulatory agencies.
• Alison Anway will now serve clients primarily in the firm’s Washington office. She specializes in health policy and regulatory affairs. Alison began her career in health policy in the office of U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) where, among other things, she served as Legislative Assistant for Healthcare during the entirety of the consideration and passage of the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA). The education and experience Alison gained during the two-year period culminating in President Obama’s signing of the ACA into law led to her recruitment by Anthem, the largest Blue Cross Blue Shield plan in America, to lead their Public Policy team dedicated to the federal health plan lines of business. In this role, Alison led a policy division committed to providing policy support to Anthem’s Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and Federal Contracting lines of business. She joins the Washington office from Ballard’s Tallahassee office.
• Scott Wagner will now serve clients primarily in the firm’s Washington office. He is a graduate of Yale, with Honors, and of the University of Miami School of Law. He has served as the Co-Chair of Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2022 Transition Team. Wagner is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee and also serves on the Biscayne Bay Commission and as the Vice Chairman of the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District. He joins the Washington office from Ballard’s Miami and Tallahassee offices.

The firm’s expanded space in the Homer Building reflects its continued growth and commitment to providing a best-in-class environment for its team and clients. The additional square footage will accommodate the firm’s growing staff and offer enhanced facilities for client meetings and collaboration.

TALLAHASSEE/RALEIGH – Ballard Partners and Checkmate Government Relations – two leading state-based lobbying and public affairs firms – are proud to announce a strategic partnership. This new relationship joins Florida-based Ballard Partners with North Carolina-based Checkmate, to strengthen both firms in the Southeast.

Through this partnership, Ballard Partners expands its ability to serve clients in the state of North Carolina and complements its existing presence in Florida, California, Illinois, and Massachusetts. By aligning with Ballard, Checkmate will strengthen its operations and broaden its reach in Florida and other important U.S. markets. This relationship will allow both firms to provide seamless, effective government affairs services across major U.S. states and nationally.

“We are excited to partner with Checkmate, a highly respected North Carolina-based firm known for its strategic expertise and deep regional insight,” said Brian Ballard, President and Founder of Ballard Partners. “Checkmate’s strong track record and client-focused approach align perfectly with our commitment to delivering top-tier government affairs and advocacy services. Together, we will be well-positioned to provide clients with expanded capabilities and impactful
government affairs solutions across North Carolina and key markets throughout the United States.”

The Ballard-Checkmate collaboration will empower clients to navigate complex regulatory environments, build strategic relationships with key decision-makers, and explore new opportunities across the United States. Clients will be able to enjoy broader coverage and assistance, as well as benefit from the strategic resources of both firms.

“We’re proud to partner with Ballard Partners, one of the most respected public affairs firms in the country,” said Ches McDowell, Checkmate’s Managing Partner. “This collaboration expands our ability to deliver exceptional results for clients not only in North Carolina, but also in other critical markets nationwide. Together, our firms will offer a powerful combination of regional expertise and national reach, ensuring our clients are well-positioned to navigate and solve the
issues that matter most.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Ballard Partners, a leading international public affairs and lobbying firm, today announced a strategic partnership with Esfera Brazil, a prominent think tank and civic organization based in São Paulo, Brazil.

The partnership will allow Ballard Partners and Esfera to leverage their respective expertise and networks to provide comprehensive public affairs and government relations services to Ballard’s clients, while also deepening Esfera’s ability to explore complex topics affecting the Western Hemisphere. The partnership will focus on intra-hemispheric advocacy, market access, business development, and policy and insight sharing. This strategic alliance will facilitate seamless collaboration on cross-border issues.

“We are excited to welcome Esfera to the Ballard Global Alliance,” said Brian Ballard, President of Ballard Partners. “This collaboration underscores our dedication to strengthening our international presence and enhancing the value we offer our clients in strategic markets. Esfera’s extensive expertise in Brazil’s political, social, and economic environment, along with its strong history of success, makes it a perfect fit for our global network. We look forward to joining forces.

“Forming a partnership with Ballard Partners is a significant milestone for Esfera as we broaden the scope and depth of insights we deliver,” said João Camargo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Esfera Brazil. “A deep understanding of the shifting U.S. political landscape is critical to crafting informed, long-term policy guidance for Brazil. This strategic alliance provides Esfera with unique access to Ballard Partners’ expertise.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Ballard Partners, a leading international public affairs and lobbying firm, today announced a strategic partnership with TACT, a prominent communications and public affairs firm based in the province of Québec, Canada. This collaboration will enhance both firms’ capabilities to serve clients with interests spanning the United States and Canada.

The partnership will allow Ballard Partners and TACT to leverage their respective expertise and networks to provide comprehensive public affairs and government relations services to clients operating in both countries. This strategic alliance will facilitate seamless collaboration on cross-border issues, ensuring clients receive tailored and effective strategies to achieve their objectives.

“We are thrilled to welcome TACT to the Ballard Global Alliance,” said Brian Ballard, President of Ballard Partners. “This partnership reflects our commitment to expanding our international reach and providing our clients with unparalleled access to key markets. TACT’s deep understanding of the Canadian landscape and their proven track record of success make them an ideal partner for us. We look forward to working together to deliver exceptional results for our clients.”

“Partnering with Ballard Partners marks an important step for TACT in expanding the depth of insights we provide to our clients,” said Daniel Matte, Partner and Co-founder of TACT. “Understanding the evolving U.S. political landscape is essential for businesses operating in Canada, and this strategic alliance will give our clients unparalleled access to Ballard Partners’ expertise. By combining our strengths, we can offer sharper intelligence and strategic counsel that empower our clients to navigate cross-border challenges with confidence.”

The partnership will focus on:

• Cross-border advocacy: Providing strategic counsel and representation on issues impacting both the U.S. and Canada.
• Market access: Assisting clients in navigating regulatory and political landscapes in both countries.
• Reputation management: Developing and executing integrated communications strategies to protect and enhance clients’ reputations.
• Business development: Facilitating introductions and connections between clients and key stakeholders in both markets.

— Alvarez to also serve as a partner in the firm’s Washington office —

CHICAGO – Ballard Partners, a leading international lobbying firm, today announced the opening of its new office in Chicago, Illinois. Michael Alvarez, a top lobbyist in Chicago, will lead the firm’s Chicago office as Managing Partner, and will also serve as a partner in the firm’s Washington office.

The expansion to Chicago marks a significant milestone for Ballard Partners, strengthening its presence in the Midwest and further solidifying its position as a top U.S.-based international lobbying firm. The Chicago office will provide a wide range of services, including government relations, public affairs and strategic communications to clients across various sectors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Alvarez to the Ballard Partners team,” said Brian Ballard, President and Founder of Ballard Partners. “His deep understanding of the Chicago market, coupled with his extensive experience and network, makes him the ideal leader for our new office. We are confident that Michael’s expertise will be invaluable to our clients as we continue to grow our presence in the Midwest.”

Michael Alvarez brings a wealth of exceptional experience to Ballard Partners. He is the founder of Michael Alvarez & Associates, a full-service public and government affairs firm, providing strategic advice and tactical assistance to companies, organizations and coalitions. Alvarez is well respected in Chicago and known for unparalleled levels of professionalism, integrity and effectiveness.

“I am honored to join Ballard Partners and lead the firm’s expansion into Chicago,” said Alvarez. “Ballard Partners has a stellar reputation for providing exceptional client service and achieving outstanding results. I look forward to working with the talented team at Ballard Partners to build a strong presence in Chicago and serve our clients’ needs effectively.”