Husch Blackwell Strategies announced today that Andy Blunt has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and will drive the firm’s mission and vision while strengthening its position as a leading national lobbying firm. As a founding partner and formerly COO of HBS, Andy established one of the largest networks of state lobbyists in the country from the ground up, effectively opening new strategic fronts and opportunities for clients and their interests across the nation.

Andy and Gregg Hartley, who today assumes the position of COO, launched HBS in 2018. At the time, the government affairs practice of Husch Blackwell LLP, an AmLaw 81 national law firm, merged with a state lobbying practice in Jefferson City, MO and a small federal practice in Washington, DC. Within six years, the firm has opened state capital offices in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. During the same period, it has enhanced its Washington presence and last year it added a new strategic leadership advisory service led by U.S. Senator Roy Blunt. The firm has increased its client base from 98 in 2018 to representing more than 300 nationwide today and a team that started with 20 professionals has grown to more than 70.

Andy remains Executive Chairman of HBS and Gregg, Executive Vice Chair.

Andy remarked, “We are positioning HBS in a way that can amplify our unique client offering of state and federal government relations with an eye on continuing our strategic growth and affirming our commitment to delivering exceptional client service and results. It is a privilege to lead such an experienced team of professionals across the country and while I am proud of what we have accomplished, I know we have an opportunity to make HBS even more of a success than it is today.”

Andy has helped companies of all sizes successfully navigate complex legislative and regulatory environments and is consistently recognized as one of Washington’s “Top Lobbyists”. He is a trusted advisor nationally whose extensive network of personal relationships is built on his lifelong immersion in politics and public policy.

Andy announced today that the firm is also establishing new leadership positions to oversee its state and federal lobbying practices, naming Rochelle Mallett as Executive Vice President, State Government Affairs and Stacy McBride as Executive Vice President, Federal Government Affairs.

As Executive Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, Stacy McBride will lead the firm’s team of federal lobbyists in its Washington office. She joined the firm in March 2023 and in that short time has demonstrated her results-driven success with building an impressive client portfolio.

McBride served eight years as Chief of Staff and Committee Staff Director to U.S. Senator Roy Blunt as he led the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the Republican Policy Committee and served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. McBride was responsible for managing a staff of more than 60 professionals while working alongside the Senator in developing significant public policy; responding to national crises; facilitating the legislative process among senate offices and committees; liaising with House leadership and Administration officials; and developing and deploying a comprehensive all-of-government program for the Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States. She also served as professional staff on the Senate Committee on Appropriations including as Republican Clerk for the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Subcommittee.

As Executive Vice President, State Government Affairs, Rochelle Mallett will manage the firm’s network of state lobbying offices in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. She will also continue leading the firm’s Statehouse Solutions practice, a specialized team that seamlessly integrates into an existing organizational structure to achieve national government affairs goals.

Mallett demonstrated her impressive leadership skills early on when she joined HBS in 2018 and built the HBS Nebraska office from the ground up, an office that now ranks as one of the largest lobbying practices in the state. In 2022, she led the development of a new business unit for the firm, Statehouse Solutions, and today manages its successful growth nationwide. In addition to her work in assembling and managing a best-in-class network of state lobbyists, Mallett will continue building trusted relationships with HBS clients.

Andy added, “As our firm continues to grow and evolve, we need to adapt and stay ahead of the curve and this is the leadership team that puts us right in our sweet spot.”