15-20 years

Member of the national council of state legislatures

0-5 years

Voted as a Top and Rising Star Lobbyist by the James Magazine

Recognized as a Top Fierce and Fabulous 40 Under 40 Alumni by Spelman College

Executive Director, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (2003-2016)
Chair, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Corporate Roundtable Sports, Entertainment and Gaming Committee
Board Member, Wellroot (formerly known as United Methodist Children's Home)

Danica Thompson is experienced in civic engagement with a focus in government relations. She currently serves as a vice president of state government relations where she provides strategic advice and lobbying services to help clients meet their corporate and public affairs objectives. She has extensive experience working with clients in the areas of education, healthcare, diagnostic laboratories, procurement and transportation on both the state and local levels.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Danica worked with state elected officials for 13 years at the Atlanta-based Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc. Starting as a legislative intern, she seamlessly rose through the organization's ranks to the position of executive director where she managed the daily operations of the caucus, coordinated legislative conferences, spearheaded the legislative intern program and ensured that the caucus fulfilled its mission to protect the general welfare of people of color, the disadvantaged and the underserved citizens throughout the state of Georgia.

Throughout her professional career Danica has committed herself to making a difference at work and within her community. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Georgia Women's Policy Institute. Presently, Danica serves as chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Corporate Roundtable Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Policy Committee, serves as a board member for the United Methodist Children's Home (WellRoot), and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to support children in foster care. She is a Council for Quality Growth Emerging Leader and serves as an ambassador with the Grady Ambassador Force, which consists of nearly 100 community leaders creating awareness and community support for the Grady Health System and chairs the Marsy's Law for Georgia Advisory Committee to ensure victims of crime receive their constitutional rights in court proceedings.

Danica has been recognized by her peers as a Top and Rising Star lobbyist in the James magazine, acknowledged by the Daily Report for providing pro bono services related to changing age requirements in Georgia's child marriage law, and named as Spelman College's Fierce 40 Under 40 Alumni. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law.

Danica is a native from Birmingham, Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, dogs and traveling.

11-15 years

Tommy has been recognized during his government relations career as one of the top lobbyists at the North Carolina General Assembly. He was ranked as the 33rd Most Influential Lobbyist of the 2013-2014 Legislative Session by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research in its annual survey of lobbyists, legislators and Capitol Press Corps members.

Tommy is a senior vice president in the state government affairs group at McGuireWoods Consulting where he represents clients before the state legislature and U.S. Congress.
He brings more than a decade of experience in state and federal policy, legislative process and politics, including serving as senior staff for the North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem and several members of U.S. Congress. Tommy has a strong network throughout state government in North Carolina and the North Carolina congressional delegation, and has experience representing Fortune 500 companies, start-ups and trade associations before the North Carolina General Assembly, Congress and executive agencies on issues including energy, environmental, education, transportation, health care and information technology.
Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Tommy served as the director of state public affairs for Moore & Van Allen Public Affairs where he managed the Raleigh office and represented clients at both the state and federal level for Moore & Van Allen Public Affairs. Before his time at Moore & Van Allen, Tommy served as deputy chief of staff for policy for North Carolina President Pro Tem Phil Berger. Before Tommy worked at the General Assembly, he lobbied at the federal level for both the NC Farm Bureau and the National Pork Producers Council for several years. He also worked on Capitol Hill for nine years, including six years with Congressman Robin Hayes where he served as deputy chief of staff.
Tommy is a native of Raleigh, where he lives with his wife and two sons.

6-10 years

James Sherwood is a senior vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting, and counsel with McGuireWoods LLP. Prior to joining the firm, he served as deputy legal counsel and ethics officer in the Illinois House of Representatives. James assists clients on a range of issues, including data privacy and security, worker classification and the gig economy, electrification of the transportation sector and the affordable housing crisis. He also counsels clients on various tax incentive programs. Most recently, he assisted an international data center client in obtaining a tax incentive for data centers located in Illinois.

As deputy legal counsel, James advised legislators on a variety of matters, including legislation that overhauled the state's energy policies, transitioned Illinois to a statewide 9-1-1 system and dealt with the increase in heroin and opiate abuse. In his role as ethics officer, James ensured members were apprised of their duties under Illinois ethics laws and regulations, and advised members to ensure compliance therewith.

James also serves as a board member on the Public Policy Committee for the Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

6-10 years

Mike is a senior vice-president with McGuireWoods Consulting and a partner with the McGuireWoods LLP law firm. He helps clients develop strategies to address complex public policy challenges. He is a seasoned operative who understands how to integrate direct lobbying, grassroots campaigning, communications, and digital media to achieve results.

Viewed by his clients as a trusted advisor, Mike helps to lead the firm's multi-state national practice, working with clients across the country as they interact with governors, attorneys general, state legislators, and regulators. He has a wide bandwidth exposure to numerous and diverse industries (healthcare to energy to tech to transportation) and regularly interfaces with legal and corporate executives.

In the spring of 2015, Mike raised $63,000 in 70 days for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year campaign. As a part of this effort to raise awareness and money for LLS, Mike was "pushed" out of an airplane at 11,300 feet by a 1st grader who was fighting leukemia. Yes, he is scared of heights.

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.

6-10 years

She has been recognized by Capitol Inside in 2015 as a "Rising Star" in Texas politics and in 2016, was selected as the winner for Austin Under 40's government and public affairs industry category.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting in 2012, Holly served as chief of staff to Texas State Senator Mike Jackson and worked in the Texas Senate for over a decade building strong relationships with state legislators, capitol staff, executive branch and regulatory agencies.

Holly volunteers in various capacities around Central Texas. She is an active member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center's Advance Team and also founded Young Texans of Cancer's Austin Chapter. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and is a Kappa Alpha Theta alumni and Texas Ex. She enjoys spending her free time with her son, Hunt, and golden retriever, Winnie.

0-5 years

Professional Experience:
Program Analyst, Georgia Senate Budget and Evaluation Office (Committee: Appropriations, Subcommittees: Public Safety, Natural Resources, Agriculture)

Senior Policy Analyst, Georgia Senate Research Office (Committees: Education, Agriculture, Retirement)

Assistant Legislative Counsel, Georgia General Assembly Office of Legislative Counsel

Policy Analyst, Southern Legislative Conference, The Council of State Governments (Committees: Agriculture & Rural Development, Human Services & Public Safety)

0-5 years

Sara joined McGuireWoods Consulting after six years with the SC Association of REALTORS as their director of political affairs. In that capacity, she managed the SC REALTORS Political Action Committee Board of Trustees, fundraising, finances, disbursements, ethics reporting, independent expenditure campaigns, and public policy campaigns.

Prior to that she served as executive assistant/scheduler to U.S. Congressman Tom Rice in Washington, DC. Her previous experience also includes campaign fundraising for multiple members of the South Carolina General Assembly and members of Congress.

Sara has a public relations degree from the University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing her Master's in business administration at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

0-5 years

0-5 years

James Magazine Rising Star 2015, 2016, 2017

Stuart Wilkinson is a vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting in Atlanta. Over the past decade, he has earned extensive experience working with both the Executive and Legislative branches in Georgia.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Stuart served as a top advisor to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, most recently as his Deputy Director of External Affairs. In this role, Stuart helped craft and advance the Governor's legislative agenda. Additionally, he has held a number of other key positions with Governor Kemp including Deputy Director of the Gubernatorial transition team, as well as managing then Secretary of State Brian Kemp's legislative and external affairs team.

Stuart began his career in Governor Nathan Deal's administration for six years where he managed the Governor's local government relations program before joining the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities government relations team.

Stuart has been recognized as a Rising Star lobbyist in James magazine. An avid runner, Stuart currently serves as a Board Member of the Atlanta Track Club. Previously, he was appointed to the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism by Governor Deal. He is a native of Sandy Springs, Georgia and a graduate of Georgia College. Stuart currently lives in Atlanta with his wife Kathleen.

6-10 years

Brian serves as a senior vice president for McGuireWoods Consulting's state government affairs group in Columbia, South Carolina. Brian represents clients before the state legislature, local governments and executive branch agencies.

Representing a diverse group of clients on a range of issues including energy, transportation, education, alcohol, retail and non-profit advocacy, Brian has helped pass legislation related to emerging transportation, alcoholic beverage control laws and the energy industry. He has extensive experience in developing and implementing comprehensive government, grassroots and public affairs strategies for his clients.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Brian worked on a number of political and grassroots campaigns, and worked for Congressman Joe Wilson in his district office. Upon graduation from The Citadel, Brian took a commission in the Army as a Military Intelligence Officer. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 1-178th Field Artillery Battalion and served as the unit's Tactical Intelligence Officer. He is currently a Captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard and serves as the legislative liaison.

Brian lives in Columbia with his wife, where they are raising their two daughters.

20+ years

Member, Board of Directors, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, 2019-present

Member, RVA-Hampton Roads Collaborative, 2019-present

Member, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation Advisors Council, 2019-present

Member, Transatlantic Business Investment Council Advisory Board, 2019-present

Member, Chamber RVA Richmond Marine Terminal Task Force, 2016-2017

Member, 1999-present; Legislative Chair, 2000-present; Board of Directors, 2002-2004, Virginia Economic Developers Association

Member, 2008-present; Vice President of Membership, 2012, National Council for Public Private Partnerships

Member, International Economic Development Council, 2008-present

Member, 2014-present; Chairman, Marketing Committee, 2015; Board Advisor, 2016, Site Selectors Guild

Member, 2015-present; Business Facilities LiveXchange Advisory Board

Member, Working Group on Revisions to the Model PPEA Guidelines, 2005-present

Member, Infrastructure Working Group, Attorney General's Regulatory Reform Commission, 2008-2009

Board of Directors, Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2003-2009

Co-Chair; 10th Reunion Gift Committee Member, 2002-2003; 15th Reunion Gift Committee Member, 2008; 20th Reunion Gift Committee Co-chair, 2012-2013, The Fund for William and Mary

Member, PPEA Ethical and Conflicts Working Group to the HJR 186 Subcommittee, 2005

Associate Member, Virginia Road and Transportation Builders Association, 2001-2005

Board of Directors, Oaks at Crossridge Homeowners Association, 2004-2005

Member, 1993-1998; Vice Chair, 1997, Young Guarde Council of the Society of the Alumni of the College of William and Mary

Member, Advisory Committee on the Center of Innovative Technology to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science, 2002-2003

Chris Lloyd leads the McGuireWoods Consulting infrastructure and economic development team where he specializes in site selection and economic development incentives negotiations. Since 1998, Chris has worked on dozens of high profile, corporate expansions and relocations across the country. Chris has also worked closely with clients on numerous public-private partnership projects for transportation and other infrastructure, and played a leading role in the development and passage of Virginia's public-private partnership laws, which have since become model legislation for use in other states.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Chris served for nearly five years in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade under Virginia Governors Allen and Wilder. In this position, he was responsible for legislative, budgetary, and regulatory coordination and development within that Secretariat which managed the state's economic development programs.

Chris graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1993. He lives in Richmond with his wife, Megan, and children, Ryan and Meredith.

15-20 years

National Co-Chair of Obama Presidential Campaign, 2008
Best Lawyers in America, 2008 - 2020
Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice, Columbia, SC, Best Lawyers, 2020

20+ years

Effectively lobbied on behalf of school/parental choice organizations to create virtual public charter school options; give high performing public charter schools greater regulatory flexibility, including accelerating the fast track replication process for successful charters; provide local public education authorities with the opportunity to purchase online and digital learning products and services directly from qualified vendors; and establish education savings accounts for children with special needs, who require educational options that traditional public schools may not be able to provide.

Led the lobbying team that passed landmark health care legislation integrating behavioral and physical health care benefits and services for North Carolina Medicaid patients and providing for the licensure and regulation of health plans that will provide these services via a Medicaid managed care transformation program in the state.

Secured a two-year four-county pilot project for an organization that uses an interactive cinematic, evidence-based approach to teach students about the negative impacts of bullying and violence, risky driving, and alcohol and drugs, and in place, strives to teach students about entrepreneurship and healthy behaviors overall.

Lobbied successfully to update state insurance laws that will improve the financial stability of domestic insurance companies by providing them with greater, and timelier, access to capital.

Lobbied, pro bono, with North Carolina and national Jewish organizations to add North Carolina as the 22nd state to enact HB 161: Divestment from Companies that Boycott Israel. HB 161 ensures that the people and the government of the state do not unknowingly become a party to discriminatory business practices or boycotts against the State of Israel.

A lobbyist at the North Carolina General Assembly for over 30 years, Harry is a senior advisor with McGuireWoods Consulting's state government relations group and is a partner with McGuireWoods LLP. Through his extensive work in state government relations, Harry has been at the forefront on many crucial public policy issues, particularly in the areas of education and health care.

His role in shaping and influencing public policy was recognized in 2017, when Harry was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor that the Governor of North Carolina can bestow to persons who have a record of service to the State.

Since beginning his government relations and legal career in 1988, Harry has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential lobbyists in Raleigh.

Harry represents public and private companies, as well as associations and nonprofit organizations, on a range of issues including education, health care and health insurance, pharmacy, economic development, finance and tax, property and casualty insurance, and the environment. He has extensive experience representing clients at the legislature and before state agencies, boards and commissions, and local governments.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Harry ran his own legal and lobbying practice for more than a decade and also served as director of government relations and counsel for the North Carolina Region of Kaiser Permanente.

0-5 years

6-10 years

Strong working relationship on a bipartisan basis, focusing on Transportation, Commerce and Finance Committees. Strong working relationship with Department of Transportation.

Kerri serves as a senior vice president in the State Government Relations group in the firm's Raleigh office. In addition to her government relations experience, she possesses extensive communcations and grassroots experience from her time with the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Kerri was most recently communications director for the North Carolina Chamber. In that capacity she managed media relations, events marketing and electronic communications; oversaw development and management of the group's website; produced collateral materials; and assisted the vice president of Government Affairs with the Chamber's branding, communications and public relations efforts to support its advocacy mission and policy goals. Prior to joining the Chamber, Kerri worked as a registered lobbyist and legislative intern.

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.

6-10 years

Jeffrey L. Barnhart joined McGuireWoods Consulting in October 2011 as a senior vice president of State Government Relations. He works out of the firm's Raleigh office assisting clients and helping the firm grow its national and multistate practice in the southeast.Representing Cabarrus County, Jeff served 11 years in the North Carolina General Assembly before relinquishing his seat in 2011. He was most recently co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee and was a strong healthcare proponent earning numerous recognitions from many organizations. Before his tenure as a House Representative, Jeff served as a Cabarrus County Commissioner for 10 years. He was also acting County Manager for Cabarrus for eight months and served on the county's Water & Service Authority (six years) and Economic Development Board of Directors (nine years).In addition to his strong local and state public sector experience, Jeff is a former small business owner who possesses significant private sector experience. He recently spent three years at the helm of a local healthcare center and also worked at IBM for 10 years in a number of different capacities from engineering to marketing to management. He is ranked the 13th Most Influential Lobbyist of the 2013 Legislative Session by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research in its annual survey of lobbyists, legislators and Capitol Press Corps members.Jeff served in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1982 working in Communications Security.

0-5 years

Led record-breaking candidate recruitment efforts in 2018 and 2020 for State House races; in 2018, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus challenged 56 Republican held seats. In 2020, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus challenged 66 Republican held seats. This was an exponential increase from previous years when Democrats only challenged 25 Republican held seats in 2014 and 21 Republican held seats in 2016.

Assumed the position of Executive Director with 62 Georgia House Democratic Caucus members, and in three short years, expanded the Caucus to 77 members.

Managed the 2018 Georgia House Democratic Caucus campaign operation for the most successful election night for Georgia Democrats since 1998.

Managed the 2020 Georgia House Democratic Caucus campaign operation where Georgia had the second-best election results for State House campaigns for Democrats in the nation.

Served as the Executive Director of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus.
Served on the Arab Americans for Biden Committee.
Served as the Co-Coordinator of the Georgia Victory Leadership Council for Georgia.

Falak Sabbak is an assistant vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting. With a decade of experience at the Georgia General Assembly, she maintains an incredibly diverse network of elected officials, political staff, and lobbyists throughout the state of Georgia.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Falak served as the Executive Director of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus. She managed the internal and external communications of the Caucus, prepared talking points on pending legislation, and counseled members during their decision-making process. Falak also managed the 2018 Caucus campaign operation that resulted in the most successful election night for Georgia Democrats since 1998. In three short years, Falak grew the House Democratic Caucus from 62 members to 77.

Falak began her career as a legislative aide, and later served as the Executive Assistant to the Minority Leader. From fielding constituent questions, to tracking and summarizing legislation, Falak gained a thorough understanding of the legislative process.

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Falak earned her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Georgia.

0-5 years

11-15 years

0-5 years

0-5 years

U.S. Senate; U.S. House of Representatives; Illinois Department of Transportation

Before joining the firm, Greg Bales worked for U.S. Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin for more than a decade, serving as senior advisor in the Senator's government office as well as his campaign manager for his 2020 reelection. During his time with the Senator, he oversaw special projects throughout Illinois, and worked as a liaison to elected officials, businesses, community organizations, and other constituencies across the state.

Prior to joining Senator Durbin's staff, Greg worked as a policy advisor for the Illinois Department of Transportation. He was a staffer for former Illinois Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, and he has worked on numerous political campaigns in California, Illinois, and Indiana. Before managing Senator Durbin's recent reelection, Greg took leave to elect Illinois Congressman Sean Casten to his first term in 2018, and served as Illinois state director for Secretary Hillary Clinton's 2016 Presidential campaign.

Greg's relationships span across the state, including the Illinois Congressional delegation, the Illinois General Assembly, City of Chicago, Cook County government, and in numerous municipalities and local units of government. Greg has concentrated on infrastructure funding, economic development, and earmarks. He has worked with Illinois General Assembly leadership on legislative language to ensure millions of dollars in federal funding for election security were allocated to cybersecurity; managed multi-million-dollar campaign budgets; pitched stories and gone on the record with the media; and lobbied for state funding for public transit.

20+ years

Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations, 2011-2020
Member, Virginia Code Commission
Commissioner (Virginia), Uniform Law Commission

In addition to being an attorney with McGuireWoods LLP, Chris is an executive vice president in McGuireWoods Consulting. His government affairs practice consists of representing clients before the Virginia legislature, executive branch and state and local agencies.
Chris' legal practice involves advising companies on political law compliance activities, including lobbying, gift restrictions involving public officials, campaign finance, and government ethics laws. He also holds the CIPP/US credential as a Certified Information Privacy Professional from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

With more than 25 years of experience in Virginia government and politics, Chris has developed a deep knowledge of Virginia state and local government and the legislative and regulatory process. Drawing on his experience as a lobbyist and as the former chief counsel to a Virginia attorney general, Chris assists clients in developing and implementing legislative and regulatory strategies to meet their business and public policy objectives.

Chris brings a unique perspective to his political law practice because of his government relations experience. Understanding the political process and the practice of government relations is essential to advising a client on how to comply with the myriad of federal, state and local rules governing lobbying, ethics, conflicts of interest, ethics in public procurement and campaign finance, while still achieving the client's business and public policy objectives.