ROSS BARNHARDT

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 921-8123

  • 150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1130RaleighNC27601

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Ross Barnhardt's years of experience allow him to offer clients a superior understanding of State Government and help them navigate legislative and executive agency solutions to their particular goals. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in political science, Ross spent several years working in the North Carolina Senate. Working for a Senior Appropriations Chairman, Ross has assisted businesses both big and small to secure State funding and desired legislative outcomes. Ross was a lead staffer in Senate leadership for the State Budget process, regulatory reform, economic development, tort reform, and agriculture policy.

Ross has helped clients meet their goals through lobbying for legislative action at the General Assembly, building legislative strategies and coalitions, and interacting with executive agencies. He has the skills and relationships to present his clients, their needs, and their messaging in front of the correct decision makers. Ross has represented clients involved in the areas of economic development, healthcare, technology, engineering, transportation, education, public safety, finance, local government, entertainment, agriculture, food and beverage, and broad industry associations.

When Ross is not at the legislature, he enjoys saltwater fishing, weight lifting, and home improvement projects.

As a former member of the North Carolina Senate, I have served as Vice-Chairman of Finance, Chair of Judiciary and Rules Committees. I have a thorough knowledge of the workings of government and the continual changing personnel in State Government. Trust and knowledge are not created overnight, but are nurtured over the years.

20+ years

Designated by peers as one of the most effective lobbyists in North Carolina

Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Recognized in Best Lawyers in America in the area of government
relations practice, and as Lawyer of the Year in government relations practice in Raleigh

Selected by the American Registry as the top 1% of America's Most Honored Lawyers for 2020

To be provided upon specific request

Former North Carolina State Senator Alexander "Sandy" Sands is the leader of the firm's Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Group in Raleigh. He is a Registered Lobbyist. He represents businesses and individuals who have matters before both the legislative and executive branches of government in North Carolina. He's proven himself to be quite effective. When the North Carolina Center for Public Policy surveyed members of the General Assembly and lobbyists in 2009, researchers found Sands to be the 3rd most influential lobbyist in the Tarheel state.

Sandy has used his many years as a litigator in state and federal trial and appellate courts to develop his advocacy skills, which he now uses effectively for his clients in his lobbying and administrative law practice. He served as a North Carolina State Senator from 1986 until 1994. During that service he rose to the position of Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.

Connect C, LLC is a full-service government relations and lobbying firm that assists clients in developing strategies and programs to win passage of legislation, modify regulations and establish allies to support public policy objectives that protect brand reputations in the halls of North Carolina's General Assembly. Using our experience, policy knowledge, procedural expertise, and planning and facilitation skills, we tailor our work to meet our clients' individual needs and goals. Our experience and expertise in providing government affairs services allow us to see around the corner for our clients, and to respond accordingly. The partners have extensive knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process in Raleigh and Washington, D.C. Our team has been involved in the political landscape at the local, state and federal level for the past forty years.

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.

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Lisa has over 20 years experience in government and private sector work. Prior to joining Capitol Advantage, she served as Director of Government Affairs for a large statewide trade association. She has experience building and executing strategy for a wide range of issues such as environmental, tax, workers compensation, land use and professional licensing. Lisa is highly respected and has a successful track record advocating before the Legislature, Executive Branch agencies and various commissions and licensing boards. She is also consistently ranked on the list of "Most Influential Lobbyists in the General Assembly."

20+ years

Connect C, LLC is a full-service government relations and lobbying firm that assists clients in developing strategies and programs to win passage of legislation, modify regulations and establish allies to support public policy objectives that protect brand reputations in the halls of North Carolina's General Assembly. Using our experience, policy knowledge, procedural expertise, and planning and facilitation skills, we tailor our work to meet our clients' individual needs and goals. Our experience and expertise in providing government affairs services allow us to see around the corner for our clients, and to respond accordingly. The partners have extensive knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process in Raleigh and Washington, D.C. Our team has been involved in the political landscape at the local, state and federal level for the past forty years.

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.

KEVIN WILKINSON

(North Carolina)

Kevin brings a wealth of extensive legislative and executive experience from his previous staff positions on Capitol Hill, in the North Carolina General Assembly, at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), and most recently at UNC Pembroke. In these roles Kevin worked extensively in key policy areas including but not limited to financial services, foreign affairs, healthcare, and education.

Kevin served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for the NC State Superintendent at NCDPI. Kevin helped to design and gather support for the Superintendent's legislative agenda on the state and federal levels and provided strategic counsel to the Superintendent on other major policy initiatives.

Kevin left NCDPI to serve as the Executive Director of Government Affairs at UNC Pembroke. Kevin led the legislative outreach for the university on the state and federal levels and also worked directly with the Chancellor on other projects to help strengthen the university and community. In this capacity, he helped build broader advocacy efforts to generate additional support for the university among key stakeholders across the country and at the grassroot level across the state.

When he isn't roaming the halls of the General Assembly, Kevin can be found with his wife Megan and their two dogs Boone and Carter. If you can't find him in Raleigh, head east or west and you may find him in a duck blind or trout stream.

2021 NC Top 25 Lobbyist

2019 NCED Leadership Award

SAIMA ALI

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 455-3685

  • 913 Delaronde LaneMorrisvilleNC27560

SUSANNE BARHAM

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 621-0664

  • 223 S. West Street, Ste. 925RaleighNC27603

TARRAH CALLAHAN

(North Carolina)

REBECCA CERESE

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 861-2213

  • 224 S Dawson StRaleighNC27601

Clients:

LARESHA FORTSON

(North Carolina)
Clients:

KATHERINE GARDNER

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 787-8880

  • Manning Fulton & Skinner, P.A.3605 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 500RaleighNC27612

Clients:

LAURA HOLLAND

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 856-2570

  • 224 S. Dawson St.RaleighNC27611

JUDY JENKINS

(North Carolina)
Clients:

QUISHA MALLETTE

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 861-2208

  • 224 S Dawson StRaleighNC27601

Clients:

HYUN NAMKOONG

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 389-3333

  • P.O. Box 30561RaleighNC27622

KRISTIE PUCKETT

(North Carolina)
Clients:

JENNA ROBINSON

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 828-1400

  • 333 E Six Forks, Ste 150RaleighNC27609

DARRELL SMITH

(North Carolina)

JESSICA THOMPSON

(North Carolina)
  • (919) 828-3876 x141

  • 4800 Six Forks Road, Suite #220RaleighNC27609