Ballard Partners’ incredible growth from a regional public affairs firm into one with a national and international presence has seen it open offices across the United States and in the major global markets of Tel Aviv, Saudi Arabia, Istanbul, and Nigeria. What’s more, through the Ballard Global Alliance, Ballard Partners has forged mutually beneficial partnerships with firms across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
As it has carved out a reputation for excellence on the world stage, Ballard Partners has not forgotten its roots. Founded by Brian Ballard in Tallahassee, Florida, the firm maintains eight Sunshine State locations where teams of highly experienced government relations consultants consistently deliver unsurpassed results for clients.
These professionals regularly exceed the expectations of clients thanks to their deep connections in government—and from their own experience in the Florida state government. To understand Ballard Partners’ deep connections in the Sunshine State, let’s learn more about four former Florida state legislators who now leverage their expertise to benefit the firm’s clients.
Mike Abrams
Mike Abrams represented the North Miami Beach/Aventura area in the Florida House of Representatives for 12 years. Over this time, he chaired the House Finance & Taxation Committee for four consecutive years, a term that was longer than all but a few other chairs. His leadership responsibilities also included chairing the House Health Care Committee and the House Health & Rehabilitative Services Subcommittee on Appropriations.
Today, Abrams brings his knowledge of government finance to Ballard Partners, where as co-chair of the firm’s Public Policy Team he helps a variety of clients navigate the process of securing appropriations on both the state and federal levels. A member of the University of Miami Board of Trustees, he additionally maintains responsibilities as a partner in Ballard Partners’ Miami and Tallahassee offices.
Jeff Atwater
The chair of Ballard Partners’ Financial Services Group, Jeff Atwater represented his constituents for a decade in the State Legislature, first as a member of the House of Representatives and later as state senator. He ultimately spent eight years in the State Senate, serving as senate president for the final two.
Atwater subsequently won election to the cabinet-level position of state treasurer and chief financial officer of Florida. Over two terms, he dramatically improved fiscal transparency in the state while effectively managing the country’s fifth-largest public pension investment portfolio.
Prior to his public service, Atwater developed extensive private-sector financial experience as president of two Broward Country banks. Today, he brings this background to Ballard Partners. As a partner in the firm’s West Palm Beach and Tallahassee offices, he helps clients navigate the complex industries of banking, insurance, and securities.
Dane Eagle
Like Atwater, Dane Eagle has worked in the best interests of the people of Florida both as a member of the executive branch and as a legislator in the state House of Representatives. As managing partner of Ballard Partners’ Fort Myers office, he draws on this experience to advocate for the firm’s clients.
A native of Southwest Florida who graduated from the University of Florida, Eagle served as a deputy chief of staff and chief special assistant to the governor. He then won election to the Florida House of Representatives, where he rose to majority leader and headed the Republican Caucus. He later rejoined the executive branch when he accepted an appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as Florida’s secretary of economic opportunity.
In this position, he managed a more than $3 billion budget, oversaw 2,200 employees, and directed billions of dollars in grants throughout the state. It was during this time that City & State magazine placed Eagle at No. 9 on its list of Florida’s 100 most powerful people.
Jose Felix Diaz
Jose Felix Diaz developed a reputation for effective leadership over his seven years in the Florida House of Representatives. Along with chairing three committees, he exhibited bipartisanship in his role as chair of the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation by regularly reaching across the aisle to secure support for meaningful legislation. He also served on the Republican State Leadership Committee’s Future Majority Project Board, which sought to recruit minority candidates through the US.
A graduate of Columbia Law School, Diaz previously worked as lawyer, zealously representing clients in contract procurement, international law, and other areas.
Diaz has been recognized as one of the country’s leading government relations consultants and was named to City & State magazine’s South Florida Power 100. The managing partner of the Miami office, he also provides overall leadership to Ballard Partners as the firm’s executive vice president.
