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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT BRADEN HEIDNER LOWE & ASSOCIATES
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FROM BOARDROOM TO STATEHOUSE: TOPEKA-BASED FIRM READY TO MEET TODAY’S CHALLENGES
By Erin La Row, editor, KSAE magazine
“Like ASAE says, associations make the world smarter, safer and better,” said Travis Lowe, vice president and one of the namesakes behind the government relations and association management firm Braden Heidner Lowe & Associates (BHL) based in Topeka. “(Associations) work to improve people, professions, communities and our state and nation. We help our clients grow their professions’ influence, performance and standards. In turn, their members support and lead their communities and help shape the future by advocating, informing and networking.”
BHL’s rich history dates back to 1979. Its name has changed a handful of times, but the firm is the successor of Pete McGill & Associates, the original government relations firm in Kansas. Over time, BHL added full-service association management to serve clients on a state and national basis. In 2018, BHL opened another office in Jefferson City, Missouri. In addition to Lowe, Sandy Braden, president, and Scott Heidner, senior vice president, are principals of the firm. They’re joined by a team of full-time employees specializing in various capacities, such as financial management, government affairs, event planning, communications and association leadership.
Strategic planning, leadership
Lowe said the association management company (AMC) model allows the firm to customize functions and services to each client’s specific goals.
“It is hard to find a person who truly enjoys every aspect of association management. But with an AMC of our size, we have a different team member who specializes in a specific area and performs those tasks for all our clients,” Lowe said.
continued from page 29 In today’s ever-changing world, it’s a lot of work for a volunteer board to manage one or several full-time staff members while keeping up with human resources best practices and the regular turnover stress universal to every industry. An AMC provides stability that puts the stress on the AMC so volunteers can focus on the association’s mission.
“It’s not for every association,” Lowe said. “But it certainly is a good option for many.”
A good option, especially during turbulent times like a pandemic.
“Just like everyone, we are adjusting to 2022, which looks closer to 2019, but still very different,” Lowe said. A recent challenge for the firm was keeping its associations’ members engaged over 2020 and 2021, and ready to hit the ground running again. “We wanted to keep them from falling into the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ trap,” he added. During that time, natural board transition ushered in new leaders who had to focus more on navigating the pandemic and less on their associations. Lowe said while it is better now, that time affected leadership transition and new leader development. During it all, BHL helped its clients stay focused and motivated.
“In the AMC world, the ‘half servant/half leader’ role means we have to push them, even when it’s different,” Lowe said. But change is not always bad, and the new world opened new doors and new opportunities for growth. Lowe said organizations now have more options for reaching members through technology. Virtual meetings allow for less travel time and more focus on the issues at hand. “It was also a reminder, that even with the use of technology, how important it is to have options for members to network with each other,” he added.
BHL is committed to leadership development. In 2007, the BHL team created a leadership program template and began offering the program as a service to clients. The program teachers profession-specific skills and uniquely emphasizes grassroots participation in the political process and peer-to-peer business development.
“The program has been a huge success,” Lowe said. “And now we partner with state-level associations in six states to provide customized leadership programs.”
Managing interests from the Statehouse
change while each session brings new policy challenges the BHL team is excited to tackle. The team helps clients stay organized and aware, and serves as a resource for policymakers, weighing in on proposed legislation when necessary. “We understand our members have careers, so we look after their interests in Topeka and Jefferson City,” Lowe said.
The BHL team helps clients in Kansas and Missouri strategically build government affairs programs, keeps clients aware of activity and actively monitors policy issues, and offers full, proactive advocacy efforts at their statehouses. BHL also manages several political action committees.
“Our company slogan is ‘advancing your agenda.’ This pretty much sums up our approach for our clients’ government affairs,” Lowe said.
BHL is committed to helping the next generation interested in government affairs. The Legislative Monitor Internship Program is designed for students interested in learning more about the Kansas legislative process. The spring semester internship, typically running from January through the end of April, gives interns exposure to several policy areas and interaction with Senate and House members. BHL works with university political science departments to meet the needs for course credit.
“We really enjoy the program and believe in its value to impact students’ futures,” Lowe said. “Two of our BHL lobbyists, including me, launched our careers as interns. It’s fun to see their enthusiasm to learn more about the process and use it to make careers of their own.”
By the end of the program, interns have an enhanced understanding of how to architect the passage of legislation, a solid understanding of the advocacy side of politics and a better sense of their future in politics. Students interested in the program can learn more by going to BHL’s website, www.bhlandassociates.com. “Success is a byproduct. Our goals are to keep assisting each client – be it a trade association, professional society, coalition, foundation or company – to focus on its mission and not let issues fall through the cracks. It may look different, but that’s OK.”
Looking ahead
BHL’s experienced team is ready to offer an expert level of government relations and association management services. Lowe said exceeding clients’ expectations for results-oriented strategies and solutions, and providing the highest level of professionalism, confidentiality and personal integrity propels the firm and its clients.
“Success is a byproduct,” Lowe said. “Our goals are to keep assisting each client – be it a trade association, professional society, coalition, foundation or company – to focus on its mission and not let issues fall through the cracks. It may look different, but that’s OK.” F
The side of kansas city you may not know
