FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2015

Contact: Cory Tilley or Patrick Gillespie

(850) 222-3767

Ballard Partners Adds Veteran Lobbyist Brady J. Benford to Tallahassee Office

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Floridas leading government affairs firm, Ballard Partners, today announced the addition
of Brady J. Benford as a Partner in the Tallahassee office. With his 15 years of experience in government relations,
Benford is a well-respected professional among his peers and legislators. He has advocated before the Legislative
and Executive branches on a variety of high-profile issues such as casino gaming, pari-mutuel wagering, tobacco,
alcohol, retail convenience stores, telecommunications and health care.
Ballard Partners prides itself on recruiting the best and brightest talent so that we can achieve outstanding results for
our clients. With his broad expertise and great working relationships with decision makers, Brady will be an integral
part of our efforts and I am pleased to welcome him to the team, said Brian Ballard, president of Ballard Partners.
Benford previously served as the Governmental Affairs Consultant for Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart P.A. since 2010.
During that time, he represented a wide array of clients, including several Fortune 500 companies before the
Legislature, Cabinet, Executive Agencies and other governmental entities. He also managed the firms regulated
industries practice and advised clients on legislative and executive issues, campaign participation strategy and
drafting of legislation.
Prior to his role at Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart P.A., Benford spent seven years as the Governmental Affairs
Director at Akerman Senterfitt Law Firm. As the Governmental Affairs Director, Benford oversaw the representation
of numerous clients, managed the firms regulated industries practice, advised clients and the firm on strategy for
many local and statewide campaigns and advised clients on extensive legislative and executive issues.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the best governmental affairs firm in the state and the amazing team of
professionals at Ballard Partners, said Benford. I believe my experience and background will serve the clients at
Ballard Partners well and I look forward to helping them accomplish their legislative priorities.
Benford also previously served as the President of Benford and Associates, where he was the principle lobbyist at
the firm and managed multiple clients and associations. He has also worked for the Republican Party of Florida
where he coordinated Senate and House campaigns and the absentee ballot program in the Central Florida area.
Benford received his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Florida State University.
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About Ballard Partners
Ballard Partners has been named by state and national publications as the leading government affairs firm in the
Sunshine State. The Florida-based lobbying firm, with offices in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach,
Miami, Orlando and Tampa, combines extensive experience in government affairs with unwavering advocacy to
maximize results for the clients they serve. The Tallahassee office is located at 403 East Park Avenue, Tallahassee,
Florida 32301. Visit http://ballard-partners.com for more information.