Husband. Dad. Christ-Follower. Conservative. PR flack. Political hack. Mauldin City Council. *THIS IS MY PERSONAL ACCOUNT. OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MINE ALONE.*
Upstate, SC
Joined January 2008
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One of the things I enjoy about serving on Mauldin City Council is getting to show others what’s happening in our city. It was great having Congressman Timmons and his team visit BridgeWay Station on Monday. We've come a long way, and there's still plenty to come.
It was a pleasure to welcome Congressman William Timmons and members of his D.C. and District staffs to Mauldin on Monday. BridgeWay Station is a great example of what can happen when local government and private investment work together toward a shared vision.
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Election Day may bring campaigns to a close, but in government affairs, the next chapter begins. Changing priorities and a shifting political landscape mean there's plenty of work ahead. Advocacy requires preparation, relationships, and knowing how to navigate the process.
Election Day marks the end of one process but signals the beginning of another. The weeks after an election provide an opportunity to evaluate changes, revisit priorities, and prepare for the work ahead. Effective advocacy is a year-round commitment.
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There’s never a shortage of good ideas. The challenge is deciding which ones deserve an organization’s limited time, attention, and resources. A solid strategic plan helps make those decisions easier. Sometimes knowing what NOT to pursue is as important as knowing what to pursue.
A good strategic plan should help your organization decide what to do. A great strategic plan should also help you decide what NOT to do. Saying “no” isn't necessarily a missed opportunity. Sometimes it's what allows an organization to say “yes” to the things that matter most.
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If you can't explain what your organization does and why it matters in a few sentences, your message probably needs some work. We spend a lot of time helping clients figure how to tell their stories clearly and effectively. Sometimes the simplest message makes the biggest impact.
If someone unfamiliar with your organization asked what you do, could you give them a compelling 30 second answer? Provide a consistent foundation for interviews, presentations, web content, social media, meetings, and conversations with customers, donors, and other stakeholders.
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Effective advocacy is about more than knowing the right people. Understanding how government works, when decisions are being shaped, and where to engage can make all the difference.
Good advocacy isn't just about knowing who makes the decisions. It's about understanding how those decisions get made. It's about knowing when the conversation begins. It's about being prepared to contribute. We can help.
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Q4 isn’t when your organization needs to rest. It’s the time to plan what’s next and what your strategy is for next year. We can help craft what that looks like.
Q4 isn’t just about finishing the year strong. It’s also the time to start thinking about what's next.
Strategy works best when organizational planning, comms, and government affairs reinforce one another. Have a clear direction and the right strategies to move it forward.
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The halls of Bayside are silent tonight. RIP, Mr. Belding.
BREAKING: RIP: Chattanooga native and actor Dennis Haskins, best known as Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at age 75, according to his friend and caretaker.
A cause of death has not been confirmed: newschannel9.com/news/local/…
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Government affairs isn’t just about what happens in Columbia.
Some of the decisions with the biggest and most immediate impacts on businesses are made locally.
Know where decisions are being made, understand the process, and get involved well before the final vote.
Government affairs is more than the Statehouse.
Zoning, permitting, roads, utilities, taxes, public safety, and land use decisions made locally can have an immediate impact on businesses and communities.
Effective advocacy means paying attention at every level of government.
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I pray that God touches the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans and helps us remember not only how we came together after 9/11, but how we are called to treat each other every day. John 13:34 reminds us: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
25 yrs ago today, tragedy changed us forever. First responders ran toward what most of us would run away from. In Mauldin, we're fortunate to have dedicated men and women in our FD and PD who would do the same. May we remember. May we honor.
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I’m grateful for everyone whose work and commitment continue to make Mauldin such a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Thanks also to everyone working today while many of us have the opportunity to enjoy a day off.
Happy Labor Day, Mauldin.
Labor Day is a good reminder that strong communities are built by people who work hard, take pride in what they do, and contribute in countless ways to the place they call home.
I hope everyone has a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable Labor Day with family and friends.
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You can’t anticipate every crisis, but you can prepare for how your organization will communicate when one happens.
Know who speaks, who approves, who verifies the facts and who needs to be informed.
Those decisions are much easier to make before the pressure is on.
A crisis is a bad time to decide who speaks for your organization, who approves a response, or how information gets released.
You can’t predict every crisis, but you can prepare your communications process before one happens.
Good crisis communications starts before the crisis.
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The most productive government affairs efforts often happen long before anybody files a bill or introduces and ordinance. Building relationships, understanding issues, and helping people communicate effectively are where meaningful advocacy begins.
The best advocacy doesn't start when a bill is filed or an ordinance is introduced.
It begins with relationships, education, preparation, and trust.
Good public policy is built long before committee hearings ever begin.
#GovernmentAffairs #Advocacy #Lobbying
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A good strategic plan shouldn’t be something that gets approved by a board and sits on a shelf. It should be a practical roadmap that helps guide decisions, set priorities, measure progress, and tell an organization’s story. The planning process can be as valuable as the plan.
Strategic planning brings clarity to your mission, focus to your priorities, and measurable outcomes you can stand behind. It also helps you better communicate your impact. A strategic plan isn’t just a document. It’s your roadmap for sustainability and growth.
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