6-10 years

Named a "30 Under 30 Rising Stars in Florida Politics" by Florida Politics in 2014

Strong relationships in the Florida Department of Education, as well as the chairs and staff of education policy and appropriations committees in both legislative chambers, and many other agencies and policy areas, including the Department of Children and Families, Department of Corrections, and more.

Sara has more than a decade of experience in education policy and government affairs, starting as a K-12 public school teacher. She thrives on helping clients achieve complex and challenging goals and has become a respected and trusted voice for education policy issues in Tallahassee.

Sara joined McGuireWoods Consulting in 2018 after six years of leading government affairs for nonprofits in Florida. Prior to MWC, Sara led external and legislative affairs for Step Up For Students, the largest K-12 scholarship funding organization in the nation. Before that, she was the Florida Legislative Affairs Director for the Foundation for Excellence in Education. In addition to education, Sara has experience in the areas of child welfare, criminal justice, juvenile justice, healthcare, insurance, and more.

In 2011, while still in the classroom, Sara was nominated for Orange County Public Schools Teacher of the Year award. By 2014, Sara was named one of "30 Under 30 Rising Stars" by Florida Politics, the state's predominant political news site.

Sara received her bachelor's degree in English Education from the University of North Florida in 2007 and her master's degree in Education Policy and Evaluation from Florida State University in 2014.

Sara is a member of Leadership Florida, the American Enterprise Institute's State Leadership Network, and co-founder of Lean In Tallahassee. In her spare time, she volunteers as a guardian ad litem in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit and fosters dogs through a local animal rescue organization. Sara lives in Tallahassee with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog.

20+ years

Tim provided a long sought-after voice to retirees in the Retired Detroit Police & Fire Fighters Association. He and his team successfully fought unions, the City of Detroit, and the pension board's opposition to amend decades-old state law. The association spent 25 years trying to obtain representation on its pension board through litigation and city charter amendment to no avail. Tim and his team did it in a fraction of the time.

Prior to becoming president of MLC, Tim was appointed as Governor John Engler's Campaign Manager to manage his 1998 re-election campaign, after having worked in the Governor's office as Director of External Affairs and Deputy Director of Public Affairs. Former positions also included stints in the Michigan House and Senate, Oakland County government and Senior Director of Government Affairs of the Michigan Credit Union League.

15-20 years

Kelly Davis Cress has spent the past twenty years cultivating relationships with legislative members that make up the backbone of effective advocacy. She began her lobbying career as the Government Relations Coordinator for the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. As a contract lobbyist, she represented a diverse group of nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and trade associations. In 2021, Kelly partnered with JM Hughes Group to form Ten One Strategies.

In addition to her professional work, Kelly was a gubernatorial appointee to the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging, past member of Junior League of Jackson and Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, Magnolia Luncheon Club, Jackson Ladies Tennis Association, Metro Area Tri Delta Alumnae and Delta State University Alumni Association. Kelly spends most of her free time serving at her children's schools and watching them play sports.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Management from Delta State University and is a graduate of the Mississippi Realtors Institute. Kelly is married to Blake, a Real Estate Broker/Developer and they reside in Ridgeland, MS with their sons, Davis and Cole.

Why Did You Choose Lobbying?
Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, I saw firsthand how policies can affect the quality of life in local communities. I love the diversity of clients we get to work with. No two days are the same.

Practice Areas (Specialties)
Offensive legislation
Defensive legislation
Economic Development
501c3

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.

11-15 years

1st Vice President, Maryland Government Relations Association

Former General Counsel, Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation

Former General Counsel, Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce

Pounds is an accomplished attorney and lobbyist with sixteen years of legal experience and served as General Counsel for government, quasi-government entities, boards & commissions, and businesses. After seven years in Prince George's as a senior campaign and transition staff member, an associate county attorney, and then General Counsel to the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, Pounds served six years as a partner and senior counsel in two prominent Maryland law firms. He represents clients in municipal and cannabis law, alcoholic beverage licensing; land use and zoning; business transactions, and government relations. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech, and received his Juris Doctor, with honors, at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Pounds is active in his community and serves on several boards, including the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Government Relations Association. He lives in Bowie with his wife and two children.

6-10 years

Jennie served as the primary staff member for the House Education Committee.

Jennie Previously served as:
Senior Director of Government Relations and Policy, University of Memphis, 2018-2019. Built and maintained relationships, studied policy initiatives, and advocated for funding before state, local, and Federal officials. Successful in securing capital funding for the Lambuth Campus, a first for the University. Organized the inaugural University of Memphis Legislative Retreat, bringing a record 40 legislators from across Tennessee to the University of Memphis Campus.

Director of Government Relations, State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), 2014-2018. Represented Tennessee's leading education policy and advocacy organization before the Tennessee General Assembly. Successfully designed and executed a statewide roadshow for a Governor's cabinet member to interact with business and community stakeholders.

Legislative Staffer, Tennessee General Assembly, 2011-2014. Worked for the Tennessee General Assembly in several roles including Research Analyst for the House Education Committee. Developed strong working relationships with key education and business community stakeholders. Maintained a deep understanding of education-related legislation to serve as the primary policy advisor to the committee.

Fundraiser and Campaign Coordinator, Congressman Bill Cassidy, 2010-2011.

6-10 years

John Morgan Hughes is known for his high-energy, creative approach to advocacy with an emphasis on providing elite customer service to the firm's clients. Prior to his work in governmental relations, he served as general consultant and strategist to numerous political campaigns and campaign committees across the state of Mississippi. Since 2013, he has focused his work on advocating policies on behalf of firm clients before the Mississippi legislature.

In 2015, he founded the JM Hughes Group to assist corporations, non-profits, and governmental entities in their interactions with state government leaders. Since its inception, the firm has become Mississippi's fastest-growing governmental affairs firm with a reputation for delivering results and going the extra mile for clients. In addition to his professional work, John Morgan has served on the board of directors for many community organizations such as the Mississippi Children's Advocacy Center, Leadership Greater Jackson, Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Vision 2022 Committee, the Mississippi State Chapter of Kappa Sigma Alumni Association, and Refill Cafe. In 2019, he was appointed by the Hinds County Board of Supervisors to serve on the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District board of directors. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science Public Administration from Mississippi State University and a master's in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi.

He and his wife Brittany have one daughter, Charlie, and two dogs; a Labradoodle named Huck and a rescue Yorkie named Kona. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Millsaps College where he teaches an undergraduate course on advocacy and the legislative process. He is a proud veteran who currently serves in the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, United States Air Force, Mississippi Air National Guard where he holds the rank of Captain.

Why Did You Choose Lobbying?
I chose government relations because it provided me an avenue to stay in my home state and work on policies to improve our economic condition. As a first-generation college graduate, education and opportunity have been the difference in my life and I hope my work expands these opportunities to others. I love the diversity of our clients. No two days are the same.

Practice Areas (Specialties)
Procurement and appropriation
Non-profits
Trade associations
Complex financial legislation
Regulatory relief