Brian D. Ballard

The founder of Ballard Partners, Brian Ballard leverages more than 25 years of lobbying experience to advocate tirelessly for his clients’ interests. He launched the firm out of Tallahassee, Florida, and opened its Washington, D.C., office in 2017. Since then, Brian Ballard has earned a variety of accolades, including selection to the Politico Playbook Power List “18 to Watch,” Vanity Fair‘s “New Establishment,” and Washingtonian‘s “500 Most Influential People in Washington, D.C.” He was also recognized in Florida Trend‘s Most Influential Business Leaders and The Hill: Top Lobbyists/Hired Guns.

Mr. Ballard has held senior roles with state and national political campaigns and offices. A former chief of staff in the Florida Governor’s Office, he oversaw negotiations with the U.S. Department of the Interior to halt offshore drilling in the Florida Keys and led development efforts of Preservation 2000 which, at the time, was the largest public land acquisition program for environmentally sensitive areas in the US. He and his wife, Kathryn, were appointed co-chairs of the gubernatorial inaugurations for Florida governors Ron DeSantis, Rick Scott, and Charlie Crist.

At the national level, Brian Ballard chaired the Florida Finance Committee for GOP presidential nominees Donald Trump (2016), Mitt Romney (2012), and John McCain (2008). He also served as finance vice chairman for the Republican National Committee and was a member of the Presidential Transition Finance Committee.

Also an active civic leader, Mr. Ballard has held roles with the Council of 100, the Florida Governor’s Mansion Foundation, and the City of Tallahassee Architectural Review Board. He is a recipient of the highest award for historic preservation in Florida and a distinguished member of Florida State University’s Francis Eppes Society.

Prior to founding his own firm, Brian Ballard was managing shareholder at Bryant Miller Olive P.A. He holds a J.D. and B.S. in business administration from the University of Florida, where he is also a member of the school’s Hall of Fame.