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, and Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader. 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
- Vice Chair, Brookings Institution Board of Trustees
- Member, KB Home Board of Directors
- Member, RLJ Lodging Trust Board of Trustees
- Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s policy think tank, the 21st Century Council
- Chairman, Morehouse School of Medicine Board of Trustees
- Served on the Meridian International Center Board of Trustees
- Resides in Arlington, 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 Doctorate, 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
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