AIF Lobby Team

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House Majority Leader Adam Hasner addresses AIF members on the dangers of the Employee Free Choice Act also known as “Card Check.”

AIF’s Chief Lobbyist Keyna Cory welcomes Senate President Atwater to the Pre-Legislative Briefing.

“Over the past 25 years AFCD has been in existence, we have worked with and observed many companies’ governmental relations activities. Without a doubt, AIF’s Lobbying efforts are among the best. They are a great advocate that won’t back down
and doesn’t mind taking on the tough battles.”
– Bill Hunter, Association of Florida Community Developers

AIF lobbyists, representing centuries of accumulated experience in politics and government, spent more than 10,000 hours in the Capitol during the 2009 Legislative Session advocating for your business interests...

Officers
Barney T. Bishop III President & CEO of Associated Industries of Florida… former aide to state Treasurer Bill Gunter … former Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party … more than 31 years experience in legislative and political affairs … areas of expertise include appropriations, criminal justice, and behavioral health care issues … B.S. in Political & Judicial Communication from Emerson College in Boston.
Jose L. Gonzalez Vice President – Governmental Affairs for Associated Industries of Florida … coordinates AIF’s lobbying team and all research and advocacy efforts for the association … seven years legislative experience … Master’s degree in Public Administration with a specialization in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida.	Chris Verlander Senior Vice President – Corporate Development of Associated Industries of Florida … more than 30 years expertise in insurance lobbying activities … former president (1994-1997) and Vice Chairman (1997-1999) of American Heritage Life Insurance Company … B.S. from Georgia Tech and M.B.A. from the University of Florida.	Tamela Ivey Perdue, Esq. General Counsel for Associated Industries of Florida… more than 18 years legislative and legal experience, representing insurers and the usiness community on tort, workers’ compensation, insurance and other legal issues before the legislative and executive branches of government … established legal practice specializing in insurance defense and administrative law … formerly worked in The Florida Senate … B.S. from Lee University and J.D. from Stetson University.
Consultants
Keyna Cory (Senior Lobbyist) President, Public Affairs Consultants, a public affairs and governmental relations consulting firm … more than 25 years experience representing a variety of clients, from small entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies, before the Florida Legislature … majored in Political Science at the University of Florida.	Al Cardenas, Esq. Partner with the law firm of Tew Cardenas LLP, chairs the Advocacy and Governmental Affairs group in Miami, Tallahassee and Washington, DC … over 31 years legislative experience … served two terms as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida … twice-named one of Washington, DC’s top lobbyists … currently represents some of Florida’s largest corporate and governmental entities before the Florida Legislature … graduate of Florida Atlantic University and the Seton Hall University School of Law.	Chris Dudley Joined Southern Strategy Group in 2000 … over 17 years legislative experience … formerly served as Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Acting Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Jeb Bush and as Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Legislative Director, and Special Assistant to former Lt. Governor Frank T. Brogan … Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of South Florida.
Leslie Dughi Assistant Director of Greenberg Traurig’s Tallahassee Governmental Affairs practice … state legislative practice spans over 22 years representing health and life insurers, investor-owned health care facilities, and assisted living facilities … formerly served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Florida Chamber of Commerce … well-versed in grassroots and campaign development techniques having previously served as AIF’s Chief Political Officer.	Towson Fraser Joined Southern Strategy Group in 2008 with more than 10 years of political and governmental experience … most recently served Governor Charlie Crist as his Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Affairs Director … served as Communications Director for Speaker Allan Bense as well as the Republican Party of Florida, the Department of Management Services, and the Department of Community Affairs … worked in the House Majority Office under Speakers John Thrasher and Tom Feeney … Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Florida.	John French AIF Special Counsel for Election Law …. 41 years of experience in the legislative process… expertise in elections, health care, and taxation… A/V rated attorney with B.A. and J.D. degrees from Florida State University
Richard Gentry Head of Gentry & Associates, a government consulting firm in Tallahassee … prior General and Legislative Counsel for the Florida Home Builders Association… in his 26 years with the association, Mr. Gentry was actively involved in legislation which included growth management, affordable housing and environmental laws.	Peter Harris, Esq. Consultants … more than 19 years experience successfully designing and implementing substantive legislative, governmental and management programs for business and government … effectively worked with key policy makers in all branches of government … graduate of the University of Miami and Florida State University College of Law.	Nick Iarossi, Esq. Founding Partner of Capital City Consulting, LLC… with more than nine years legislative experience … formerly worked in the Florida Senate, The Florida House of Representatives and the Office of Insurance Regulation … expertise in banking and insurance, privacy and public records, health care, procurement, parimutuels, technology, and education … graduate from Florida State University College of Law.
Frank Meiners President, Frank Meiners Governmental Consultants, LLC … formerly with BellSouth as their Executive Director in Tallahassee where he lobbied communications issues … more than 31 years legislative experience … graduate of the University of South Florida in Mathematics and of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.	David Rancourt Founding Partner of Southern Strategy Group with more than 23 years legislative experience … formerly served as Director of the Florida Division of Elections, as Deputy Secretary of State, and Deputy Chief of Staff under Governor Jeb Bush … serves a strong client base with varied interests in both executive and legislative branches of government … holds a B.S. in Economics from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida.	Jim Rathbun President of Rathbun & Associates … more than 21 years experience representing individuals and entities before the legislature, state agencies, Governor, and Cabinet… formerly worked with the Florida House of Representatives and served as Staff Director of the House Republican Office … B.S. from Florida State University.
Stephen W. Shiver Partner, Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners … over 11 years legislative and campaign experience … former aide to House Speaker Tom Feeney and Majority Office Liaison to House Majority Leader Mike Fasano … former Executive Director for the Republican Party of Florida … has represented some of Florida’s largest corporate and governmental agencies before the Florida Legislature … graduate of Florida State University.	Stacey Webb Joined Southern Strategy Group after serving as Assistant Chancellor for Community Colleges at the Florida Department of Education leading the division’s legislative efforts on issues relating to economic and workforce development … also served as Staff Director and Majority Office Senior Analyst with the House of Representatives… 15 years legislative experience … received a B.A. from Stetson University and a M.P.A. from the University of Central Florida.	Gerald Wester Managing Partner, Capital City Consulting, LLC … former Chief Deputy over Florida Department of Insurance’s regulatory staff … more than 34 years lobbying experience … expertise in insurance, banking, and health care issues … Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Florida State University.

Associated Industries of Florida ● 516 North Adams St. Tallahassee, FL 32301 ● (850) 224-7173
National Association of Manufacturers State Affiliate