7 minute read
Fourth Floor Files
Fighting the good fight
In 25 words or less, explain what you
do. Our firm sits at the intersection where legislation meets real world scenarios. We help smooth out the conflicts in that process.
political persuasion. “The law is the organization of the natural right of lawful defense. And this common force is to do only what the individual forces have a natural and lawful right to do: to protect persons, liberties, and properties; to maintain the right of each, and to cause justice to reign over us all.”— The Law by Frederick Bastiat.
Your three favorite charities are
… Wounded Warrior Project,
Taco Bell Foundation and Ronald
McDonald House.
Legislative Session? Floridians are mostly unaware of the sacrifices our elected officials make to serve. I look forward to seeing our new presiding officers lead their chambers and watch as our state continues on this amazing trajectory.
William
Rodriguez
If you could have another lobbyist’s
client list, it would be … Ours are perfect. I love our clients! They challenge us constantly and we deliver every chance we get.
What is the professional accomplishment of which you are most
proud? My time with Mayor Yioset De La Cruz, Speaker Richard Corcoran and Speaker José Oliva will forever be professional accomplishments. Being a part of those administrations meant you were fighting the good fight.
loafers? If not, why not? I don’t own a pair. Not my style.
Who is your favorite Florida Capitol
Press Corps reporter and why? The Florida Press Corp is full of talented and dedicated professionals with difficult jobs. It’s hard to pick.
What swear word do you use most
often? I try to keep expletives to a minimum. I’d like to think I don’t use any enough to single one out.
What is your most treasured
possession? My time.
The best hotel in Florida is …
Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
guests you’d invite to appear? Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey Desantis, Adrian Lukis and James Uthmeier. Favorite movie? Lincoln.
When you pig out, what do you eat?
Krispy Kreme.
Marcus Aurelius.
Navigating tricky waters
Significant other? Children? Grand kids?
I haven’t been blessed yet with my own little ones, but I am the recipient of the Auntie of the Decade Award.
In 25 words or less, explain what you
do. I help clients navigate the tricky waters of local, state and federal government, by working hard, staying educated and building genuine and meaningful relationships.
persuasion. Government should serve the people. Not the other way around. If you have one, what is your motto? “Find a way or make a way.”
During your career, have you had a
favorite pro bono client? I worked as a legislative aide for six years and a few of my favorite nonprofits to work with were Feeding South Florida, Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, and Lotus House. Three favorite charities. Revive Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and The Fishing Project (a nonprofit organization started by my family to honor the life of my grandmother who died in 2021. She lived her life believing that it was always more important to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish). Any last-day-of-Session traditions? I don’t have a last day of Session tradition, I have a week after Session tradition where I turn off my phone and stay home for seven days and seven nights and I only talk to people when necessary.
I’m looking forward to working with my amazing new teammates at Converge Public Strategies.
If you could have another lobbyist’s client
list, it would be… To be honest, I try not to focus on what others are doing. But if I had to pick a person, it would be Ron Book, mostly because I just admire how hard he works.
Gucci loafers? If not, why not? Yikes, I hate to admit it but yes, I do own a pair of Gucci loafers.
Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps
reporter and why? I don’t have a favorite, but as a former journalist I do respect all of them and the hard work they put in translating to the everyday person the ins and outs of the Legislature.
Other than FloridaPolitics.com, your reading
list includes… Because I’m a news junkie, this list is pretty intensive. Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, New York Times, CNN.com, FoxNews.com, MSNBC.com, SunSentinel.com, TCPalm.com, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal.
What swear word do you use most
often? To the chagrin of my Granny, I am famous for dropping the f-bomb from time to time.
What is your most treasured
possession? My Bible. The best hotel in Florida is… Aqualina Resort in Sunny Isle, and if you’re looking for an amazing small boutique hotel try the Hutchinson Shore Resort & Spa in Jensen Beach.
You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear? Casey
DeSantis, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Darrick McGhee and Susie Wiles. Favorite movie. Love Jones and The Godfather: Part II. When you pig out, what do you eat? I’ve never met a taco that I didn’t like!
Harriet Tubman.
Katia
Saint Fleur
Important, and also nice
Significant other? Children? Grand kids?
Married to Jason. We have two kids: Lilia, who is 11 years old, and Davis, who is 9. We also have a sweet cockapoo, Summer.
In 25 words or less, explain what you
do. I am an interpreter of complex issues with the objective of building meaningful and relevant connections between my clients and policymakers.
political persuasion. I believe in integrity, accountability and compassion.
If you have one, what is
your motto? It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. Three favorite charities. The American Heart Association is a very worthy organization and I play an active role in raising money for my kids’ public school, but we otherwise give anonymously.
Any last-day-of-Session traditions?
I work on a lot of hot-button projects, which means they are usually voted on during the final hours. So, you can usually find me anxiously pacing the office or the 4th floor, and then celebrating on the Ballard patio with colleagues when the hankie drops.
Legislative Session. I am looking forward to working with the amazing group of women stepping into new leadership roles this year.
Abby Vail
If you could have another lobbyist’s
client list, it would be… There is no better client list than Ballard Partners’.
Professional accomplishment of which
you are most proud? Being named Managing Partner of the Ballard Partners Tallahassee office this year, hands down.
loafers? If not, why not? I do not. I choose my footwear based on how long I can last on my feet on the 4th floor.
Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press
Corps reporter and why? Whoever gives positive ink to my clients.
Other than Florida Politics.com, your
reading list includes… POLITICO, WSJ, NYT, Bloomberg, Washington Post, and in my off time I listen to a lot of books on Audible. I have also really enjoyed re-reading the Harry Potter series with my kids.
What swear word do you use most often?
My Pop would tell me, “that language isn’t ladylike.” I call bull****.
What is your most treasured
possession? My grandmother’s diamond cocktail ring. She wore it every single day, even when she was casual. It’s a reminder that we shouldn’t save the fancy stuff for special occasions. The best hotel in Florida is… The Moorings Village in Islamorada. Nowhere closer to paradise.
guests you’d invite to appear? Gov. Ron DeSantis, Former Gov. Jeb Bush, President-designate Kathleen Passidomo, Speaker-designate Paul Renner. Favorite movie. Top Gun
When you pig out, what do you eat?
Fried Florida seafood and any dessert from Wright’s Gourmet in South Tampa, where I grew up — especially the Seventh Wonder Bars.
