20+ years

Senior Planner, Maine State Planning Office 1992-1998

William V. Ferdinand Jr.
Shareholder & Chair, Legislative & Government Relations Practice Group

Bill Ferdinand's practice focuses on representing clients in the Maine Legislature and practicing energy, environmental and land use law. Bill leads the legislative lobbying team for the firm. He represents a wide variety of clients in the Maine Legislature, from multi-national corporations to small businesses and individuals. Bill also provides state and municipal regulatory advice and assistance, particularly in the areas of energy, environmental and land use law.

Areas of Practice for William V. Ferdinand Jr.
Economic Development
Environmental & Land Use
Legislative & Government Relations
Natural Resources & Timberlands

Bar Admissions
Maine
Connecticut

Education
Vermont Law School, Masters of Environmental Law, 1992
Tulane University Law School, J.D., 1987
St. Lawrence University, B.A., 1984

Memberships and Affiliations
E2Tech Council, Board Member
Maine State Bar Section on Environmental Law, Member
Maine State Bar Association, Member
American Bar Association, Member
Brunswick Topsham Land Use Trust, Board Member

0-5 years

Sara Elizabeth Burnham brings a thorough knowledge of government as well as an extensive network of contacts to The Bloom Group thanks to relationships forged and maintained over decades of living and working in Montgomery and her family's deep roots in the capital city. She also has longstanding relationships from her time working on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Her years of experience working in real estate give her a broad perspective on the area's business climate and a track record of success listening to, advocating for and representing the best interests of a diverse range of clients.

Key Experience
Staff Assistant for Senator Jeff Sessions
Staff Assistant at The Dutko Group
Staff Assistant for the U.S. Senate Republican Cloakroom
Active REALTOR with Bell and Corwin, Inc.

Key Areas of Expertise
Proven networking abilities
Strong work ethic

Professional & Community Affiliations
Alabama Dance Theatre Development Committee Member
Past YMCA Britton Board of Directors Member
Family Promise Center Volunteer

Education
BA in Political Science (Minors in Public Relations and English), The University of Alabama

20+ years

As the founding principal of The Bloom Group, Hal Bloom brings our clients more than 25 years of experience in politics, with an in-depth understanding of the legislative process as well as the inner workings of state agencies. His leadership and the qualified team he's assembled ensure that clients always get professional services that yield real results. A seasoned and respected veteran in his field, Hal was chosen as one of the top lobbyists by The Montgomery Advertiser (1999).

Key Areas of Expertise
Insider knowledge of the legislative process
Political coalition building
Public and governmental finance
Strategizing for and managing political campaigns

Key Professional Experience
Key legislative strategist, executive assistant and chief of staff to a two-term Speaker of the House
Senior governmental affairs officer, public finance officer and investment banker supervisor for major statewide bank
Investment banker for top Southeast investment firm

Key Issue Areas
Environmental, particularly solid waste disposal and clean water
Municipal bond issues
Government funding
Banking, investments and finance
Commercial leasing
Industrial relations and labor
Prevailing wage
State budget and taxation - business and municipal
Federal grants

Professional & Community Affiliations/Honors
Member, Alabama Alliance of Business and Industry
Legislative Liaison, League of Municipalities Committee on State and Federal Legislation
Chairman of Advisory Board, Baptist Medical Center-East
Former Board Member, Alabama Industry and Manufacturers Association
Former Board Member, Alabama-Guatemala Partners of the Americas
Consultant, State Tax Reform Study Commission
Who's Who in the South and Southwest
Who's Who in Executives and Professionals
Strathmore's Who's Who
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International
Past President, Montgomery Rotary Club
Member, President's Cabinet, The University of Alabama
Member, Board of Visitors, The University of Alabama Honors College
Chairman, Board of Directors, The University of West Alabama Foundation
Alumni Achievement Award, University of West Alabama
Member, The Society of the Golden Key, University of West Alabama
Member, Board of Trustees, University of West Alabama

Education
B.S., Business and Commerce, University of West Alabama
Registered Representative, NASD/New York Stock Exchange
Graduate, Chamber of Commerce Executive Institute, University of Georgia

John W. Floyd offers our clients a wealth of hands-on experience gained in more than 20 years of work in local and state government, including an extensive background in community relations. He previously served as Talladega County Juvenile Court Administrator and as Director of Regional and Community Services and Legislative Liaison for the Alabama Department of Youth Services. He also served as Executive Vice President of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce; as Secretary/Treasurer of the Sylacauga Industrial Development Board; as Council President; and later, as Mayor of the City of Sylacauga. He currently serves as Board Chairman of the Coosa Valley Baptist Medical Center.

Key Areas of Expertise
Local and state government management
Human services expertise
Knowledge of the legislative process
Economic development experience
Organizational management
Community and governmental relations
Grant writing experience

Key Issue Areas
Community relations
Government relations
Health care
Legislative affairs
Local government planning, evaluation and financing
State government planning, evaluation and financing
Economic development programs and evaluation
Existing business and industry
State, federal and foundation grants
Industrial development financing
Commercial development

Professional & Community Affiliations
Member, The Alabama Hospital Association
Member, The Independent Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama
Former governor's appointee to the Alabama Department of Youth Services Board
Former governor's appointee to the Region Four Law Enforcement Planning Agency Board
Former member of the Alabama League of Municipalities Utilities, Commerce and Transportation Committee
Former member of the Citizens Advisory Council for the Alabama Department of Human Resources

Education
B.S., Business and Economics, University of West Alabama
Certified Public Manager Program, Auburn University at Montgomery

20+ years

Josh Hughes is a Senior Vice President, lobbyist and attorney at Capitol Consulting. He brings to Capitol Consulting a solid reputation with over 15-years of experience as a Capitol insider with extensive knowledge of the legislative process and policymakers. Over the years, Josh's network of contacts has provided his clients with access to all levels of state government in the legislative, administrative and executive branches. He has a reputation of working tirelessly to achieve successful results for the clients he is privileged to serve.

During his State Capitol lobbying career Josh has provided leadership and strategic advice to numerous corporations, state and national associations as well as nonprofit organizations including Tesla Motors Inc., Caterpillar, the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Greenskies Renewable Energy, the Association of American Publishers, the Corporation for Battery Recycling (Duracell, Panasonic and Energizer), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Splunk Inc., alcohol retailers, distillers and wholesalers. Josh also continues to work with legislative campaigns in both parties bolstering the bipartisan connections of the firm.

Before becoming a State Capitol lobbyist, while in law school Josh was an intern with CB Richard Ellis commercial real estate in New York City. Prior to that Josh worked in the sales department of John Hancock Mutual Funds in Boston. In addition, he was on the account team of Ingall's Advertising.

Josh received his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Literature with a minor in Environmental Studies from Hartwick College. He received a Juris Doctorate degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

11-15 years

John has over 45 years of experience working as a corporate CEO and government agency administrator. John served in the administrations of three United States Presidents. He served as State Executive Director of the North Carolina Farm Service Agency from 1981 to 1992, under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. In April 2001, John was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the State Director of USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Rural Development for North Carolina.

20+ years

2020-2021 - Recognized as one of North Carolina's top 25 lobbyists in a survey performed by the North State Journal

2017 - Leadership Raleigh - Class of 2017, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

2009-2011 - North Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Star"

1999 - Fellow - Washington D.C. Institute of Professional Leadership, Education Policy Fellowship Program

David's government relations experience includes a diverse group of clients and a wide range of issues, which has allowed him to appear in and monitor legislation in most of the standing legislative committees and interim study committees. He also represents clients in public RFP and procurement matters. David has handled state appropriations issues for clients, as well as tax and finance matters. In his over 20 years of lobbying, he has cultivated good relationships with legislators and other government officials across state government without regard for political affiliation. David also works hard to develop relationships with legislative and state agency staff, for staff often can help direct an issue through the process.

David Ferrell is a government affairs attorney and registered lobbyist with more than 20 years' experience in state, local and executive branch lobbying, grass roots campaigns, and regulatory compliance. His government relations experience includes a diverse group of clients and a wide range of issues, which has allowed him to appear in and monitor legislation in most of the standing legislative committees and interim study committees. David represents clients in public RFP and procurement matters. He has handled state appropriations issues for clients, as well as tax and finance matters.David represents energy, electric, water, and other utilities in various matters, including regulatory proceedings, right-of-way acquisition, eminent domain, and general liability matters. He assists local governments and utilities with various legal, regulatory and legislative matters. David also has experience negotiating with renewable energy and other similar companies on behalf of utility providers. He regularly represents clients before the North Carolina Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies.David's administrative and regulatory practice focuses on representing businesses and individuals before professional licensing boards, state and local regulatory and permitting agencies, and other similar agencies. David also serves as general counsel to North Carolina business and trade associations, as well as to state professional licensing boards.David was recognized in 2020 as one of North Carolina's top 25 lobbyists in a survey performed by the North State Journal. He was selected by the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce for their Leadership Raleigh program - Class of 2017. David was selected by North Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Star" in 2009 - 2011. He is a Fellow of the Washington D.C. Institute of Professional Leadership, Education Policy Fellowship Program.

6-10 years

Professional & Community Affiliations/Honors
Legislator of the Year, American Cancer Society
State Volunteer of the Year, American Cancer Society
Recipient of the prestigious Wes Nowlin Award, American Cancer Society highest award is given to a volunteer in the state of Alabama
Public Servant of the Year, Alabama Kidney Association
Member, Manufacture Alabama Governmental Affairs Committee

20+ years

Liz Connelly joins Capitol Consulting as a Government Relations Associate after more than six years on staff in the Connecticut General Assembly. Liz began her tenure with House Democrats as a top advisor to then House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (Berlin and Southington). When Rep. Aresimowicz was elected Speaker of the House, Liz was then promoted to Senior Legislative and Communications Advisor to Speaker of the House. During her time as a senior advisor to the Speaker, Liz developed and maintains a wide network of legislators, state agency, staff and advocacy organizations. In addition, she was responsible for dealing and negotiating with numerous business and industry representatives on behalf of the Speaker. Liz brings to Capitol Consulting a strong work ethic and a clear understanding of the legislative process to immediately assist Capitol Consulting's clients. In addition to lobbying directly for the firm's numerous clients, Liz will manage the firm's social media presence, assist in the firm's marketing for new business and maintain the firm's bill tracking system.

Prior to working in the legislature, Liz served as a Communications and Media Coordinator at The Governor's Prevention Partnership, a nonprofit organization that builds and offers youth prevention programs to prevent substance misuse and bullying.

Liz received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut, where she double majored in political science and journalism.

Nathan Honaker is a licensed North Carolina attorney and serves as General Counsel to Connect C providing insight in legislative matters. He has several years of experience in legislative affairs, lobbying and healthcare. Nathan is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of North Carolina School of Law. During college, Nathan had internships with several legislators in the State House of Representatives and the State Senate. After completing his undergraduate degree, he worked for Sen. Phil Berger, President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate, in communications and as a law clerk. During law school, Nathan worked for several lobbyists as a research assistant and policy advisor, as well as working with the State Health Plan and the University of North Carolina System.

20+ years

Since 1989, Mr. Dugan has been lobbying legislators, state agency officials, constitutional officers and municipal officials on behalf of a wide variety of clients. As a Capitol lobbyist, Mr. Dugan has assisted numerous corporations, associations and nonprofits navigate the halls of state government. Clients have come to rely on his strategic counsel and advice to achieve success on their legislative and regulatory agendas.

During his over two decades of lobbying Mr. Dugan has represented dozens of clients before state government, included but not limited to: Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Visa, eBay, Diebold Election Systems, Connecticut Society of CPAs, Outdoor Advertisers, Emergency Physicians, Funeral Directors, Physical Therapist, School Psychologists, Town Clerks, The Trust for Public Land and the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut.

Prior to becoming a Capitol lobbyist, Mike was the 2nd Congressional District Campaign Coordinator for the successful 1986 campaign of then Governor William A. O'Neill. Following that campaign he was the Legislative Assistant for two different Speakers of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

Mr. Dugan was recognized by Hartford Magazine as one of the "Players" among the Lobbyists at the State Capitol. He continues to be active politically, serving as an advisor on numerous statewide and local campaigns. He has served as a delegate to several state and congressional conventions.