Washington Post: Darrel Thompson, former aid to Harry Reid, joins Collins Johnson

Art Collins, Chairman

at theGROUP

Provides counsel to corporate leaders, heads of state and their governments, and non-profit executives and their boards

before theGROUP

Senior Political Strategist for the 2008 Obama for America presidential campaign
Senior Advisor to the 2004 Kerry presidential campaign
Legislative Director within the Florida House of Representatives
Insurance Regulator and Legislative Director for the Florida Department of Insurance
Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees first Chairman
Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance and an honorary doctorate from Florida A&M University
Studied at the University of Miami School of Law and abroad at the University of Montpellier in Montpellier, France

beyond theGROUP

Member, Aflac Incorporated Board of Directors
Member, KB Home Board of Directors
Member, RLJ Lodging Trust Board of Trustees
Member, Ford’s Theatre Board of Trustees
Chairman, Morehouse School of Medicine Board of Trustees
Member, Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art Board of Trustees
Member, Council on Foreign Relations
Member, Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
Member, Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute Board of Directors
Former Vice Chair, The Brookings Institution Board of Trustees
Former Member, Meridian International Center Board of Trustees
Resides in McLean, Virginia with his wife, youngest son and daughter
Passionate about creating opportunities for young people

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Sudafi Henry, Managing Partner

at theGROUP

Manages all client-related services as delivered by the firm’s partners and principals
Develops public policy and political strategies for engaging Washington, D.C. and beyond
Advises and assists clients in furthering their business and philanthropic objectives

before theGROUP

Senior Advisor and Director of Legislative Affairs for former Vice President Joseph Biden
Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Legislative Director for Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Major Owens (D-NY)
Juris Doctor, The George Washington University Law School; Bachelor of Arts, History, University of Maryland at College Park

beyond theGROUP

President of the Black History Promotion and Education Committee
Avid outdoorsman
Maryland resident but still considers California home
Member of the Maryland State Bar and “Recovering Attorney”

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Paul Miller, Partner

at theGROUP

Manages day-to-day operations of the firm
Drives development of firm’s growth and successful client outcomes

before theGROUP

Founder and managing partner of boutique management consultancy
10 years in banking most recently as VP at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo Bank)
Master of Business Administration with honors from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School; Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Indiana University

beyond theGROUP

Owns a music publishing company, huge music fan
St. Louis, Missouri native
Lives in Maryland with his wife, Nicole, and daughter, Gabriella

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Pam Thiessen, Partner

at theGROUP

Develops and implements results-based public policy strategies to assist clients in achieving their business goals consistent with their values

before theGROUP

25-plus years in leadership roles on Capitol Hill
Staff Director, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Staff Director, Senate Republican Policy Committee
Senior Policy Advisor, Joint Economic Committee
Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to former Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)
Legislative Director to former Senator John Ensign (R-NV)
Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and International Relations from Brown University and Master of Science degree in International Relations from The London School of Economics

beyond theGROUP

Lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Hockey mom
Avid 1980s concert goer
Co-founder of Women Helping Women

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Darrel Thompson, Partner

at theGROUP

Develops and implements engagement strategies to assist clients in achieving their business, policy, political and social objectives
Provides clients with legislative and political intelligence on issues facing their respective organization and industry

before theGROUP

25-year veteran of legislative/electoral politics and strategic consulting
Deputy Chief of Staff for Intergovernmental and External Affairs to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Chief of Staff for the Barack Obama for U.S. Senate campaign
Master in Public Administration, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Political Science, Morgan State University

beyond theGROUP

Resides in Historic Capitol Hill
Guest lectures at The Archer Center, University of Texas System and George Washington University
Commissioner & Manager of Capitol Hill Little League Juniors Division and Tournament Team
Participates in Competition Physique Body Building

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Jorge Aguilar, Principal

at theGROUP

Provides strategic counsel for clients navigating the intricacies of the Democratic Caucus and stakeholder organizations
Assists clients with developing narratives and branding stories

before theGROUP

Over a decade of political and communications experience in various sectors
Executive Director of Nancy Pelosi for Congress (D-CA)
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Public Policy Fellow for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
An alumnus of President Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign and various congressional campaigns
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Texas A&M International University

beyond theGROUP

A proud product of the border from South Texas
Advisory Board Member, New Leaders Council STX Frontera
Loves barbecuing and traveling
Resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife and young daughter

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Stacy Barton, Principal

at theGROUP

Develops and executes policy priorities to achieve client goals
Provides strategic advice and insights on navigating the Republican Conference

before theGROUP

More than two decades of Government Affairs and congressional experience
Chief of Staff, Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH)
Chief of Staff, former Congressman Jon Runyan (R-NJ)
Chief of Staff, Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH)
Founder, DC Consulting Firm (The Barton Company)
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow
Bachelor of Arts St. Mary’s College of Maryland (The National Public Honors College)

beyond theGROUP

Lives in Southern Maryland with her family
Avid reader/audiobook listener

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Kwabena Nsiah, Principal

at theGROUP

Develops comprehensive strategies for a broad range of stakeholders looking to navigate immediate and long-term challenges and priorities
Engages closely with the Administration and Capitol Hill to provide thoughtful counsel related to the frequently evolving landscapes of policy and politics

before theGROUP

Chief of Staff to former Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA)
Policy Director for Congressional Black Caucus
Senior Policy Advisor for Sen. Martin Heinrich’s (D-NM) Joint Economic Committee
Policy Advisor for former Congressman Xavier Becerra’s (D-CA) Leadership Office
Bachelor of Arts, Wesleyan University, CT

beyond theGROUP

Native of Newton, Massachusetts
Recreational golfer
Passionate about mentoring young men of color
Resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Alaina

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Estefanía Rodriguez, Principal

at theGROUP

Formulates and executes comprehensive policy and communications solutions to support client goals
Advises clients on the legislative and political dynamics on Capitol Hill and within the Administration to achieve desired objectives

before theGROUP

Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA)
Policy Director for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Senior Legislative Assistant, Rep. Hank Johnson, Jr. (D-GA)
Senior Legislative Assistant, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA)
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR)
Legislative Assistant, former Rep. Pedro R. Pierluisi (D-PR)
Juris Doctor, American University, Washington College of Law; Bachelor of Arts, History, University of Florida

beyond theGROUP

Miami, Florida native and sports fan, ballet aficionado
Devoted mentor of young professionals
Resides in Washington, D.C. with her fiancée

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Eriade Williams, Principal

at theGROUP

Assists global corporations and non-profits with creating and executing legislative strategies that support their organizational objectives

before theGROUP

Partner at a top DC lobbying firm
Deputy Chief of Staff/Legislative Director, former Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA)
Press Secretary, former Rep. Albert Wynn (D-MD)
Juris Doctor, American University, Washington College of Law; Master of Arts, Political Science, Georgia State University; Bachelor of Arts, Administration of Justice, Howard University

beyond theGROUP

General Counsel, Washington Government Relations Group
Advisory Board Member, Artists & Athletes Alliance
Board Member, National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics
Former Co-Captain of DI College Basketball Team
Lives in Silver Spring, MD with her family

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Art Collins, Managing Partner

at theGROUP

Manages day-to-day functioning of the office
Facilitates and maintains relationships with outside vendors
Designs, plans and executes onsite and offsite firm events

before theGROUP

Processed practice engagements and collaborated on business development within the compliance department at an international banking consulting firm
Assisted with HR and billing, executed training retreats at an international strategic business advisory firm
Managed interagency relationships at an international public/private partnership headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland

beyond theGROUP

Avid movie buff
Recreational knitter
Aspiring Data Scientist

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Art Collins, Chairman

at theGROUP

Provides counsel to corporate leaders, heads of state and their governments, and non-profit executives and their boards

before theGROUP

Senior Political Strategist for the 2008 Obama for America presidential campaign
Senior Advisor to the 2004 Kerry presidential campaign
Legislative Director within the Florida House of Representatives
Insurance Regulator and Legislative Director for the Florida Department of Insurance
Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees first Chairman
Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance and an honorary doctorate from Florida A&M University
Studied at the University of Miami School of Law and abroad at the University of Montpellier in Montpellier, France

beyond theGROUP

Member, Aflac Incorporated Board of Directors
Member, KB Home Board of Directors
Member, RLJ Lodging Trust Board of Trustees
Member, Ford’s Theatre Board of Trustees
Chairman, Morehouse School of Medicine Board of Trustees
Member, Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art Board of Trustees
Member, Council on Foreign Relations
Member, Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
Member, Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute Board of Directors
Former Vice Chair, The Brookings Institution Board of Trustees
Former Member, Meridian International Center Board of Trustees
Resides in McLean, Virginia with his wife, youngest son and daughter
Passionate about creating opportunities for young people

Read Full Bio

Sudafi Henry, Managing Partner

at theGROUP

Manages all client-related services as delivered by the firm’s partners and principals
Develops public policy and political strategies for engaging Washington, D.C. and beyond
Advises and assists clients in furthering their business and philanthropic objectives

before theGROUP

Senior Advisor and Director of Legislative Affairs for former Vice President Joseph Biden
Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Legislative Director for Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Major Owens (D-NY)
Juris Doctor, The George Washington University Law School; Bachelor of Arts, History, University of Maryland at College Park

beyond theGROUP

President of the Black History Promotion and Education Committee
Avid outdoorsman
Maryland resident but still considers California home
Member of the Maryland State Bar and “Recovering Attorney”

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David P. Cleary, Principal

at theGROUP

Develops and executes results-based public policy strategies designed to assist clients in achieving their business, policy, and political goals
Advises clients on the evolving legislative and regulatory environment to maximize their ability to leverage opportunities and mitigate risk

before theGROUP

Senior Policy Advisor for prominent D.C. multi-client government relations practice
25-plus years in leadership roles on Capitol Hill
Staff Director, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for former Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and former Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Chief of Staff, former Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Professional Staff Member, U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee, former Congressman John Boehner (R-OH), Chairman
Professional Staff, U.S. Department of Education
Master of Public Administration, The George Washington University; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, The George Washington University

beyond theGROUP

Lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife and daughter
Amateur baker

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