Meet the Team
We Are an Agile and Tenacious Team
When you engage us, you get all of us — every connection, skill and experience. We have held positions such as Senior Political Strategist for presidential campaigns, Senior Advisor for Legislative Affairs to the Vice President of the United States of America, Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. House Majority Leader, Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy, and Chiefs of Staff to multiple Members of Congress. Our team has held board memberships serving the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation, CBC Institute, Brookings Institution and the Meridian International Center. And we have excelled at business – launching successful companies, serving on the boards of publicly traded firms and advising leaders of international firms and nonprofits.
Art Collins, Managing Partner
at theGROUP
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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 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
- Vice Chair, The Brookings Institution 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 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
Sudafi Henry, Partner
at theGROUP
- 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”
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
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
Dwayne Bolton, Principal
at theGROUP
- Navigates complex regulatory and legislative processes for clients
- Provides actionable legislative analysis and insights to assist clients in achieving their goals
before theGROUP
- More than 20 years of legislative and regulatory experience
- Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Energy Department
- Experienced corporate lobbyist with more than 12 years of experience, most recently as Principal Advisor at Edison International, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities
- Senior Policy Advisor, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL)
- Master of Arts in Transportation Policy, George Mason University; Master of Business Administration, Strayer University; Bachelor of Arts, Communications, Central Connecticut State University
beyond theGROUP
- Resides in Washington, D.C.
- Avid golfer
- Enjoys international travel
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
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
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
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
Trimble Becker, Chief Administrative Officer
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