20+ years

Georgia State University 40 under 40, Member of 2022 Leadership Georgia

Gov Kemp Inaugural Committee in 2018 and 2022

John began his career in government in the Georgia House Appropriations Office. After leaving the legislative staff, Clayton went on to serve as Deputy Finance Director to former Governor Roy Barnes. John returned to the House where he played an important role in the 2002 election of Terry Coleman as Speaker of the House.

While in government, he served at the highest levels in the Georgia House of Representatives as Chief of Staff to former Speaker of the House Terry Coleman. In that position, Clayton demonstrated his deft touch as he worked behind the scenes to shepherd controversial bills into law at a time of political acrimony and upheaval within state government. Once Speaker Coleman left office, Clayton assisted in the transition for the first Republican Speaker in Georgia's history.

Clayton maintains strong relationships with key decision makers, in both parties, within the executive branch and legislative branch. He also has a proven ability to shape policy decisions within state agencies. His firm, Georgia Public Affairs, often represents Fortune 500 companies as well as public interests in front of all facets of state government. From transportation to healthcare Georgia Public Affairs has made an essential impact on policy in favor of their clients.

He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A in Public Relations, and he also has his J.D. from Georgia State University. Clayton is a member of the Georgia Bar Association, Cartersville Zoning Board, as well as several boards at the state and local level.

Clayton was an original member of the Finance Committee for Governor Brian Kemp. He also has served on the Inaugural Executive Committee for Brian Kemp for Governor.

John is a proud member of the University of Georgia Alumni Association, as well as the Georgia State Alumni Association where he was selected as a member of their 40 under 40 class.
John and his wife Kate attend Macedonia Baptist Church and reside in Cartersville, GA with their two boys, Thomas and Jack, and daughter, Evie.

6-10 years

Vice Chair of the board of Advance Atlanta which is a citizen-driven grassroots coalition dedicated to building support for regional transit and championing existing transit resources.

Among the inaugural 50 leading ladies "In the Know" of Engineering Georgia Magazine.

Consistently been voted as one of Georgia's "Rising Stars" by James Magazine.

Serves on the leadership council for The Women Project of Atlanta which is a community of local professional women networking and serving their communities together.

Jennifer joined McGuireWoods Consulting in 2019 as a vice president of state government relations. She has extensive experience in transportation, infrastructure, local government relations, insurance, and healthcare legislative matters. Jennifer's focus is on advocating for and advising clients on procurement goals, public relations initiatives, and legislative agendas. Before joining McGuireWoods Consulting, she was senior officer of government and external affairs for the Atlanta region's transit agency, the ATL. She also served as director of government affairs for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia. Prior to this, she was an associate for Peachtree Government Relations representing a multitude of clients across business professions on the state and local level. Jennifer holds bachelor's degrees in political science and sociology from Louisiana State University and Georgia State University respectively. She also earned her master's degree in policy and management from the University of Georgia. Jennifer serves as a board member of Advance Atlanta which is a citizen-driven grassroots coalition dedicated to building support for regional transit and championing existing transit resources. She was also among 50 leading ladies "In the Know" of Engineering Georgia Magazine. She has consistently been voted as one of Georgia's "Rising Stars" by James Magazine. Jennifer serves on the leadership council for The Women Project of Atlanta which is a community of local professional women networking and serving their communities together.