State Lobbying Heroes

Latest Episodes:

News papers, TV & Government Relations with Tim Kent Jul 14, 2023

Show notes

Tim Kent grew up in southern California, the son of a WWII soldier, and earned a journalism degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He worked as a Sports Editor for the college paper at the University of Southern California.
Tim was sure his future job would be as a sportswriter for a prominent metropolitan daily. After graduation, his mentor assisted him in landing a position as a television news anchor, which he did for 13 years, covering government affairs.
After a successful career as a television news anchor, he spent nearly two years as the head of staff to the North Carolina House of Representatives speaker. He also worked as a Chief Executive for The American Institute of Architects and the NC Association of Realtors.
How would Tim encourage young people to become more involved in government relations?
What are the three characteristics of an influential lobbyist?
What piqued Tim's interest in politics in the first place?
Tim Kent discusses his journey in this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Student Lobbyist with Will Mitchell Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Will Mitchell is a North Carolina State University senior who became a business major, switched to Exploratory studies, and then to entrepreneurship. Will was a football team member at North Carolina State University until he was involved in an accident. After that, he needed something to do with his time, so he applied for an internship in the house and ended up working for the speaker during sophomore year, giving him an idea of what a general assembly is like. According to Will, understanding government relations impacts the youth's lives, and what happens in general assembly benefits all state residents. Will Mitchell advises people interested in government relations to apply for as many internships as possible as an ideal first step. The most challenging aspect of his job is managing his time as a student and building relationships. He believes the youth should be involved in government relations because they are the future and will eventually be in charge. How would Will encourage young people to become more involved in government relations? What characteristics distinguish a good lobbyist? What piqued Will's interest in politics in the first place? In this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes, Will Mitchell shares his journey.

Learning the Role of Lobbying with Alex Miller Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

Alex comes from a University of Florida alumni family but found its big school culture challenging to navigate. On September 11th, 2001, he was reminded of the importance of service and decided to major in social work, which he pursued until he started his current profession. Alex credits his parents' decision to move overseas with his ability to spend time with all different people and recognize that his perspective isn't the only one. Growing up in foreign countries and seeing abject poverty instilled in him an appreciation for the many blessings he enjoys and a desire to serve in some way. What would Alex do if he had all the money in the world? What inspires and motivates him to do his thing? Let's join Alex's journey in this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes!

Policies and Policy Makers with Jennifer Larosa May 22, 2023

Show notes

Jennifer Winkler was born and raised in New Orleans and graduated from Louisiana State University and Georgia State University with bachelor's degrees in political science and sociology. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a master's in public policy and management. Because of her interest in public transportation, she has become an experienced advocate, representing clients in transportation, infrastructure, insurance, and healthcare throughout her decade-long career. Jennifer would have been a chef as an alternative career because of the culture she grew up in. Jennifer serves on the board of Advance Atlanta, the executive council for The Women Project of Atlanta, and was named one of Engineering Georgia Magazine's 50 "In the Know" women. She believes that in her field of work, one should never burn bridges until one is independently wealthy. How would Jennifer encourage young people to become more involved in government relations? What are her most notable accomplishments? Which era would she choose if she could go back in time? Check out Jennifer Winkler as he shares her journey in this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Learning to Love Social Work with April Byrd Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

April Byrd is a lifelong North Carolinian. She grew up in Shelby, North Carolina. Most of her family lived nearby and she still has contact with her friends that she met during preschool.
April absolutely adores Shelby’s small but tight community that’s like a family to her. She also went to college in Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.
April didn’t exactly know what to do for her future career, she worked at the GAP and then at her father's construction business. She gained the skills of developing a thick skin and not taking things too personal during these two stints.
How did she start her career in government relations?
What advice would April give to youngsters?
How would she like to be remembered?
Tune in to the State Lobbying Heroes Podcast as April Byrd talks about her life experiences and all the knowledge that she’s gathered throughout it!

Lobbying is an Honourable Profession with Mike Carpenter Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Mike's family has a long history in politics. His grandpa served as the head of the board of commissioners in Haywood County and held that position for many years. Because of this, he spent a lot of time in the courts with his grandfather, which made him politically minded and ultimately influenced his choice to get a degree in political science.
Following that, he received a legal education and later worked for senators. Upon his graduation from law school, he obtained a position in the Office of the Attorney General.
Mike Carpenter has worked with North Carolina Home Builders Association for 30 years. With his experience working in the Senate and in the Department of Justice, his communication skills and traits to be credible and respected were developed thoroughly. This makes him an effective lobbyist and advocate.
What is the driving factor for Mike to pursue a career in politics?
What challenges does Mike face working in the North Carolina Home Builders Association for 30 years?
What is Mike’s advice for young people to start their journey?
Check out Mike Carpenter as he shares his journey in this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Managing Political Campaigns with Dodie Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Dodie was raised by her adopted family in Hickory in Catawba County, North Carolina. The family that adopted her was very wonderful to her. She feels blessed that she had a comfortable upbringing.
She was an only child, but she had a lot of friends in school. A teacher at that school named Mrs. Lenore also inspired her to become what she is today. She put the passion of learning civics and understanding the government into her.
She thinks that her teacher was very influential to her to the point that she tags her every time anything notable occurs in her career. She eventually going to college in Mars Hill University. She thought she was going to be a lawyer, but the university didn’t have a pre-law program, so she eventually settled for Political Science.
At the university, she had a professor named George Perry who would take students to Washington D.C. during Christmas break to go to meetings and presentations. During that trip, she realized that it’s exactly what she wanted in life.
How was Dodie’s experience in her line of work?
What did she learn in her career?
What do campaign managers even do?
Tune in to the State Lobbying Heroes Podcast as Dodie talks about her career and shares everything she’s learned!

Endurance with Jack & Jackson Cozort Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

Jack grew up in the small town of Drexel, Raleigh. He is the youngest of eight children. His family had a big family farm where they grew vegetables to eat. At an early age, he is exposed to politics. His mother is a democrat, and his father is a republican.
Thus, a debate was often at their kitchen table. He went to college, majored in politics, and started volunteering for campaigns as a student. He then moved to law school and returned to Raleigh to work as an attorney general.
Because of Jack’s background, Jackson grew up in politics. Frequently, Jack would take Jackson with him to the governor’s mansion, making him very interested in the environment of politics. Jackson majored in communications and public relations, which gave him the foundation to start working with a judge in a lobbying and government relations field.
What is the first step to entering the work of lobbying and advocacy?
What is the mission of their organization and the policies they work on?
What are the dos and don’ts you need to consider in lobbying?
Check out Jack and Jackson as they share their journey in this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Mastering the art of communication with Chris Burke Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Chris Burke grew up in the suburb of Chicago. It was a pleasant experience for him as the catholic school he attended was just a three-minute walk behind their house, which made him more connected to his environment.
After moving to a different suburb in Chicago and his parents separated, Chris stayed with his mother. He continued playing music throughout his primary and secondary educational years as his father was a jazz musician.
Initially, Chris took business as his college major, which seemed like a great choice. Moreover, his parents did not work in that field. Chris didn't have any role models for college around him because his parents couldn't finish college.
After some time, he switched to Mass Communication after realizing he did not enjoy his chosen field. He discovered during that time that what he wanted the most was his elective classes in social science.
Eventually, he decided to change his major and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Sociology because it was the subject that interested him the most.
What is the one skill Chris thinks is essential for someone to become a good lobbyist?
What motivates Chris to be doing what he's doing?
What sparked Chris' interest in government relations?
Check out Chris Burke as he shares his journey in this episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Medicine, Hospitals and Retail Industry with Krista Hinson Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Krista Hinson grew up in the town of Marshall, in the rural southwest part of Minnesota. Due to her circumstances, she learned how to be independent at a very young age, but she still enjoyed her life living in a small town. Krista went to a small school, and her first major was biology, but she transferred to the University of Minnesota and got a degree in Human Nutrition and Biochemistry. When she got involved in College Republicans, she got into politics and became interested in the political process and campaigns.

She worked as the government relations director for the South Carolina Hospital Association for almost a decade. She is currently working as the Executive Director of South Carolina Retail Association.

How did Krista end up working in politics?

What made her transition from medical to politics?

What Krista’s destination spots?

Check out Krista Hinson as she shares her journey in this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

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