State Lobbying Heroes

Latest Episodes:

Minorities in government relations with Demetrius Deloatch Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

Demetrius grew up in a small town called Conway in the North eastern part of North Carolina. He hated Math which drove him to history and debate classes. Seeing his deep interest in those classes, his high school teacher inspired Demetrius to get into Political Science. Demetrius' parents chose Elizabeth City State University as they had offered free tuition based on his academic merit.

After scoring straight A's in college, he applied for a legislative internship program at NC state. He and his parents were ecstatic when he was admitted into the program and that started his passion for government relations.

How does Demetrius feel about minorities getting involved in government relations?

Demetrius also says "Your current situation does not have to be your final destination". Why does he state that?

Here's Demetrius in the next episode of State lobbying heroes podcast.

Travel, Helping People & Don't burn any bridges with Alexina Arthur Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

Alexina Arthur was born and raised in Asheville. A mountain girl at heart, Lexi was into hiking, fishing amongst other outdoor activities during her childhood. She also played a lot of sports - tennis, basketball, golf to name a few. Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs including her parents, Lexi pursued a business degree from Appalachian University.

After graduation, she took a brief hiatus to travel to Europe with her older brother. Naturally inclined to learning and curiosity, she wanted to pursue an MBA or a Law degree.

What triggered her career into government relations?

What role did mentors have in her career?

How does she feel about running her own government relations agency?

Here is Alexina Arthur on the next episode of State lobbying heroes.

Disability rights, Psychology & Developing a thick skin with Ed Schafer Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

Ed Schafer grew up in South Carolina, his dad (also his role model) was a county administrator. Growing up Ed was not particularly inclined to politics. As a people person, Ed loved Psychology so joined The Citadel to get his Bachelors in Biology and Psychology. After graduating, he backpacked around Europe and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ed came back from Europe and wanted to become a Hospital Administrator. The best path Ed decided was to earn a Law Degree in Health Law.

What happened after he joined School of Law, Univ of South Carolina?

When did he switch to Government relations and why?

Why does he have a passion for disability rights?

What wisdom Ed would like to share to upcoming lobbyists?

Let's join Ed's personal journey in this next episode of State lobbying heroes.

"Having a positive impact on the state" with Bruce Thompson II May 27, 2022

Show notes

Bruce Thompson II was born and raised in Greenville, North Carolina. Inspired by his hero, Jimmy Carter, he double majored in politics and religion from Wake Forest University. After graduating, Bruce went back to Wake Forest fund raising for the Law school for a couple of years and eventually getting his Law degree. Join us in this next episode - Bruce shares his interests in music, playing the guitar and his passion to teach youngsters about government relations.

"Fighting Inflation" with Susan Gaddy Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

Susan Gaddy, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, stepped into the world of politics at the age of 15 for a senate campaign. Her dad was a lawyer and her mother NC realtor. Susan says her entrepreneurial drive to run her attorney firm is from her parents. She has been a capital fund raiser for decades and is now actively running for office. What are her plans for fighting inflation? How will she improve the lives of the NC residents? Who is Susan's role model? Let's listen in to Susan's journey and her race to the senate.

"People and Process" with Fred Bone Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

Fred Bone grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Fred's father was a 2-term legislator and mother was in Education. During summers, Fred was working on a farm while the rest of the kids were at summer camps. He went to college at NC State for his Bachelors in Chemistry as he was very much interested in Science. Due to his father's strong political career, Fred got inspired to work for the DOT, as a House page and for the sergeant-at-arms staff until the age of 20. After graduating from college, Fred worked for Department of Environment for 12 years based on his Chemistry background.

What triggered Fred into the world of lobbying from that point?

What myth Fred would like to bust about lobbying?

What little secret Fred has which very few of us know about him?

Let's tune in to Fred's experiences and wisdom in this next episode of state lobbying heroes podcast.

"Why do people do what they do?" with John Nash Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

Why do people do what they do? What moves us and motivates us? John Nash, Executive Director of the Arc of North Carolina, tells us his experiences in this next episode. John Nash grew up in Central California on a 11-acre rural farm. His father was History and Political Science professor. So as a kid, he watched every convention and gained his first exposure to current events (although he preferred watching cartoons). John first ventured into Chemical Engineering major degree but realized Calculus & Chemistry were not his strengths. He instead tried International Relations and he found it far more interesting. What happened next in his career and personal life that made him move to North Carolina? What is the goal of the Arc of North Carolina organization, where John is currently working? Let's learn about John's journey into Advocacy.

Have a command over your subject with Chris Wall Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Chris Wall grew up in Winston-Salem North Carolina. He graduated with an accounting degree at University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Chris went on to work as an accountant for this first job but quickly realized that Accounting was definitely not his career path. He then worked for his dad who was a serial entrepreneur but Chris did not like that job either. Around this time, his brother-in-law who was working at the Capitol Hill invited him to move to D.C. Chris started as an intern in Nov 2002 at the congressional office in D.C. and fell in love with the work.

What did he learn about D.C. politics and processes?

Would he recommend going to D.C. to get started in government relations?

Why did he move back to NC?

On the personal side, if he had a choice to pick 3 famous personalities, who would he have dinner with?

Let's explore into the lobbying career and personal story of Chris Wall in this next episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

A conversation with Earl Hunter, Wanda Crotwell, Heather Smith Jan 29, 2022

Show notes

Happy new year. Hope you and your family are all safe. This new year we are kicking the podcast off with a special interview with 3 distinguished guests. Heather Smith, Wanda Crotwell, Earl Hunter from Southern Group, Columbia. Heather and Earl earned degrees in Journalism and Marine Science respectively from the University of South Carolina. Wanda started with a Journalism degree from University of South Carolina but transferred to earn an English major from Clemson University. Are there any other commonalities in their career paths to lead them to lobbying? What would Earl be if he wasn't a lobbyist? What is Wanda's favorite hobby? Does Heather have any role models in life? We explore all of these personal topics and more in the next episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Having curiosity with Amy McConkey Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

Amy McConkey grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina with two younger brothers in a deeply religious household. Father was a small business man in textiles. She did not have much interest in politics as a child except for dinner talks during presidential elections. Amy was not sure which major to pick when she joined UNC Chapel Hill until during her 2nd semester class in political science. Most of her friends hated it except Amy. Amy also loved writing and communicating. So she also applied to School of Journalism as a double major to tap into her communication skills. She got a taste of local politics when she started writing at the Daily Tarheel. From that point, after graduation, how did she get into lobbying? What is her favorite movie? We talk all about it in this next episode with Amy McConkey.

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