AIF Lobby Team

Information Center Index Media Center Special Notices Press Releases Other Information Legislative Information Publications Archive Search Members Only Archive Sign Up for Publications

Council Index Community Hospitals Development & Infrastructure Environmental Sustainability Energy Financial Services Health Care Task Force Immigration Task Force Information Technology Manufacturers Council Maritime Numeric Nutrient Criteria Task Force Smart Justice Workers' Compensation Coalition Sign Up for Councils and Committees

About Us Mission Statement AIF Staff Officers Member Benefits

Links

AIFTV Session Priorities Florida Needs Jobs Now AIF Lobbying Team Recent Victories Key Business Issues AIF Councils AIF Policy Committees Issue Questions Voting Records

AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs & Chief Lobbyist Jose Gonzalez presents House Speaker Dean Cannon with a “Champion for Business” award for his support of the business community’s initiatives

Governor Rick Scott addresses AIF membership at our Annual Conference in Orlando

“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 2011 Legislative Session advocating for your business interests...

Officers
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 … nine 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.	Tamela Ivey Perdue, Esq. General Counsel for Associated Industries of Florida… more than 20 years legislative and legal experience, representing insurers and the business 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	Ryan Tyson Vice President – Political Operations for Associated Industries of Florida … coordinates all of AIF’s political operations and AIF’s Political Council … formerly served as Chief Legislative Aide for Sen. Charlie Dean where he advised on policy issues and managed campaigns… B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida.
Brewster B. Bevis Vice President – External Affairs for Associated Industries of Florida … coordinates all corporate development efforts and serves as an additional member of AIF’s in-house lobby team … previously served as Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for National Association of Builders & Contractors … areas of expertise include immigration and labor issues … B.S. in International Affairs from Florida State University.	Chris Verlander Vice President – Corporate Development of Associated Industries of Florida … more than 32 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.
Consultants
Keyna Cory (Senior Lobbyist) President, Public Affairs Consultants, a public affairs and governmental relations consulting firm and Vice Chair of the Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council… more than 27 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.	Slater Bayliss Partner, The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners… over 13 years of legislative and campaign experience… former Director of Corporate Relations for the Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development … former personal assistant to Governor Bush serving as liaison between the Governor’s office and agency secretaries and members of the Legislature … former Finance Director for House Speaker Daniel Webster …bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Iowa.	Sarah Busk Director, The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners… with more than eight years of experience in legislative and political affairs … served as a Special Events Representative on the Inaugural Committee for Governor Charlie Crist … former Deputy Finance Director for Senate President Tom Lee’s statewide campaign for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer … graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science.
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 33 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.	R. Justin Day Director, The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners (TAG)….brings nearly ten years of experience in the political and governmental fields to TAG….former aide to Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Director of Cabinet Affairs at the Florida Democratic Party ….graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelors degree in International Affairs and a Master’s degree in Political Science	Hayden Dempsey Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Governmental Affairs Practice for the State of Florida … extensive government experience having served in four governors’ administrations… former Special Counsel to Gov. Rick Scott where he oversaw the Legislative Affairs Office and advised the Governor and his staff on legislative and public policy matters … former Legislative Affairs Director, Deputy General Counsel, and Special Counsel for Gov. Jeb Bush … B.A. from Wake Forest University and J.D. from Nova Southeastern University.
Leslie Dughi Assistant Director of Greenberg Traurig’s Tallahassee Governmental Affairs practice … state legislative practice spans over 24 years representing health and life insurers, investor-owned health care facilities, and assited 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.	John French, Esq. 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 28 years with the association, Mr. Gentry was actively involved in legislation which included growth management, affordable housing and environmental laws.
Rheb Harbison Senior governmental consultant with Carlton Fields law firm in Tallahassee … 31 years of senior level experience in communications, public affairs, marketing and business development…principally responsible for advocating on behalf of the firm’s clients before the legislative and executive branches, asserting positions on a variety of state business issues…holds a B.S. in Communications from Florida State University.	Nick Iarossi, Esq. Founding Partner of Capital City Consulting, LLC … with more than 10 years legislative experience … formerly worked in The Florida Senate, 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 33 years legislative experience … graduate of the University of South Florida in Mathematics and of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.
Jim Rathbun President of Rathbun & Associates … more than 23 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.	Bo Rivard, Esq. Partner with the law firm of Harrison Rivard Duncan and Buzzett … more than 15 years governmental relations experience with an emphasis on health care and land use … recently appointed by Gov. Scott to the Republican Party of Florida Executive Committee … graduate of the University of Florida and Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law.	Stephen W. Shiver Partner, Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners … over 13 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.
Gerald Wester Managing Partner, Capital City Consulting, LLC… former Chief Deputy over Florida Department of Insurance’s regulatory staff … more than 36 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