David Shepp joins Southern Strategy Group after leading Florida Strategic Group, a full-service government affairs consulting firm, for 13 years. David provides services to state and local governments, businesses, educational institutions, economic development entities, national companies, and statewide trade associations. Activities include legislative and agency monitoring and advocacy, research and analysis, resource development and strategic communications. Throughout his years lobbying, David has secured tens of millions of dollars for clients in the Florida budget.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Florida State University, David started his practical experience in Florida politics in 1996. David learned the intricacies of the Florida Legislature while assisting the lobbying efforts for multiple clients of the Fowler White Law Firm. Later that year, David accepted a position as a field representative with the Republican Party acting as a liaison to Central Florida candidates, including then-candidate Adam Putnam.

After Rep. Putnam's 1996 campaign, David was retained in the position of Legislative Assistant where he enjoyed four years of relationship building both in Polk County and in Tallahassee before managing now-Commissioner of Agriculture Putnam's victorious Congressional campaign in 2000.

David is skilled at developing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships essential to governmental representation before the Legislature and state agencies. David works very closely with the DeSoto, Charlotte, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota legislative delegations.

In addition to his comprehensive institutional knowledge of the Florida Legislature, David enjoys personal and professional relationships with legislative leaders and key Chairmen and Chairwomen at every level of the legislative committee structure. David also enjoys strong working relationships with many of the staff behind the scenes of public policymaking.

15-20 years

National Children's Alliance, Bud Cramer Award
Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Legislative Achievement
Kristi House Service, Former President Service Award

SSG has won numerous fundraising awards and recognitions
Managing Partner, Miami office, The Southern Group
Chairman, Republican Party of Miami-Dade County
Executive Board, Republican Party of Florida

Nelson D. Diaz concentrates his practice on government and community relations. Nelson has successfully represented local governments, businesses, trade associations and other corporate clients before the Florida legislative and executive branches of government. Nelson has become one of Florida's young rising stars since serving as Chief Legislative Aide to the Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and now United States Senator, Marco Rubio.

In addition, Nelson has successfully represented corporate entities before the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, numerous Miami-Dade County agencies and departments, the City of Miami, the City of Hialeah, and several other municipal governments and authorities in Miami-Dade County. In addition to government relations, Nelson has successfully guided many corporate clients entering the South Florida market, providing community relations services. By advising new entrants to the market on who the key players are, which organizations to join, and how to navigate the local political waters, Nelson has assisted many clients successfully enter the South Florida and Miami markets.

Nelson began his political career as a volunteer in the 1996 Presidential campaign in Florida where he and many other young leaders, including now U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, State Senator Anitere Flores, Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and many other now-elected officials, worked hard to build a strong Republican Party base in South Florida. Since then, Nelson has worked on countless political campaigns in Florida from federal races for Presidential and U.S. Senate, to state races for Governor, Cabinet offices, Florida House of Representatives, and Florida Senate, as well as many local government campaigns for county commission, city councils, and mayor's races. Nelson has also been active in various business and civic organizations locally, and counts many legislators, party officials, and legislative leaders among his personal friends. As a result of Nelson's service with U.S. Senator Rubio and his involvement in many campaigns, Nelson has established an extensive network of key contacts in Miami-Dade County and within the Florida Legislature. In fact, Nelson currently serves as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County and serves on the executive board of the Republican Party of Florida.

Active in the local community, Nelson served on the City of Miami's Historical and Environmental Preservation Board, protecting the city's historical and environmental treasures, as well as the Miami-Dade County Community Council of West Kendall, a local land use and zoning board. Additionally, Nelson serves as the Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for Kristi House, Miami-Dade County's child advocacy center for child victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking as well as the Board of Directors of the Good Government Initiative, a bi-partisan organization dedicated to cultivating leaders of excellence in South Florida. Recently, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed Nelson to the statewide Children and Youth Cabinet for his service and advocacy on behalf of Florida's children.

Nelson attended Florida International University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in International Relations, with a Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, as well as minors in Political Science and Geography. Nelson graduated from the University of Florida, College of Law, cum laude, and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2004.