Founded in 1998 by Brian Ballard, Ballard Partners has experienced runaway growth since first expanding out of Florida in 2017. From opening overseas offices to forging alliances with international partners, it has grown to become one of the world’s leading public affairs firms.
A microcosm of Ballard Partners’ rapid growth is its Washington, DC, office. Over the last year, the firm’s home base in the nation’s capital has undergone numerous changes, from expanding its office space to adding new staff members. In early December, the latest change came in the form of the hiring of Tucker Knott.
Who Is Tucker Knott?
A Capitol Hill veteran, Knott joins the DC office as the firm’s newest partner. He comes to Ballard Partners after having most recently served as chief of staff to Senator Ted Budd. Having led the North Carolina lawmaker’s office for three years, he counseled the senator on issues affecting the business community while providing direction on legislative and congressional matters.
“[Knott]’s strong moral compass, political instincts, and personal relationships on and off the hill were critical to the success of our office over the last three years,” Senator Budd said. “Tucker has grown to be a close friend, and I know his positive impact will continue to be felt as he enters the private sector.”
Previously, Knott served as the chief staff to Representative George Holding from 2013 to 2019. Prior to becoming the chief of staff, he was Congressman Holding’s campaign manager over several election cycles. In the period between his tenures on Capitol Hill, he developed private-sector experience as a senior director at Pfizer.
“I am excited to leverage my experience in the Senate and House, as well as my time navigating complex corporate policy issues, to help our clients achieve their goals,” Knott said. Brian Ballard added that Knott’s “established relationships in both the House and Senate will be invaluable to our clients navigating complex policy challenges.”
Rapid DC Growth
The Washington office has increasingly equipped itself over the past year to assist all manner of clients in achieving their policy goals. In January, it hired another longtime chief of staff, Tracie Pough, as a partner.
Pough came to Ballard Partners after an 18-year tenure as chief of staff to Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Known as a “chief’s chief,” she also directed Wasserman Schultz’s Democratic National Committee office during the Floridan congresswoman’s tenure as chairwoman. “I was fortunate and proud to have [Pough’s] amazing political instincts, unmatched relationships, and impeccable leadership in my office for two decades,” the congresswoman said in a statement.
Summer Expansion
Later in the year, Ballard Partners announced four new additions to the Washington team. Thomas Boodry, a former special assistant to President Donald Trump, and Grace Colvin, previously a vice president of federal advocacy and strategy for the League of Credit Unions and Affiliates, joined the office as partners in July.
At the same time, Ballard Partners team members Alison Anway and Scott Wagner transferred from Florida to serve as partners in DC. Anway is the chair of the firm’s Health Policy Advisory Group. Prior to joining Ballard Partners, she brought her public policy skills and healthcare expertise to UCB Pharma; Anthem; and her own firm, Anway Policy Group.
Meanwhile, Wagner has deep ties in Florida political circles, having cochaired the transition team ahead of Governor Ron DeSantis’ second term. A lawyer, he is the founder of Wagner Legal in Miami.
As the DC office grew over the summer, Ballard Partners created room for the new hires by increasing its physical presence in the Homer Building. With the additional square footage, the firm has also been able to better accommodate visiting clients.
Launching a New Practice
Heading into the end of the year, the Washington office has not slowed its growth. Along with Knott, the firm has recently hired Micah Ketchel. A former senior member of the Trump administration, Ketchel will serve as a partner in DC and as chair of Ballard Partners’ recently established Critical Minerals Practice.
