November 6, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) is pleased to announce Michelle Mattox as the association’s new chief political officer (CPO). Mattox will bring a vast amount of political experience and knowledge to AIF, the state’s most influential business advocacy association. While AIF has used the expertise of an outside CPO in recent years, Mattox has been hired to take on the association’s newly created internal political officer position.

“Michelle’s understanding of the political arena is impressive. By bringing her on board, we will be able to greatly expand our political efforts on behalf of AIF’s members,” said president and CEO Barney Bishop. “This organization has experienced unparalleled growth and success in recent years, and I’m excited about the contributions Michelle will make to Florida’s business community.”

Mattox is currently employed by Public Concepts, as special projects manager for their Tallahassee office. She also serves as fundraising director for the 2008 campaign of Senator Jeff Atwater. Previously, Mattox was a governmental consultant at Metz, Husband & Daughton, a prominent Tallahassee law firm, where she provided strategic legislative and political advice for a number of Fortune 500 companies.

In 2002, Mattox was the campaign manager for Jeff Atwater, who upset Florida’s four-term Attorney General, Bob Butterworth, in one of the most visible and competitive senate elections in state history. She then went on to serve for three years as Senator Atwater’s chief legislative aide.

Mattox will join AIF in January of 2008 as CPO. She will be involved in every facet of the association’s political operations, from political candidate analysis and fundraising efforts to research and polling, as well as provide general political strategy to directly benefit AIF’s members.

Associated Industries also announced Leslie Foy of the Greenberg, Trauig law firm, who served as Associated Industries’ outside CPO for the last two years, will be joining AIF’s powerful lobby team in 2008.

Bishop added, “Leslie has been a key part of our team’s pro-business successes. Her addition to the AIF lobby team will allow us to continue benefiting from her political expertise and contacts.”