Category: News

PPHC Expands MultiState Associates’ Stakeholder Engagement Capabilities

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WASHINGTON, May 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Public Policy Holding Company, Inc. (“PPHC” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: PPHC), a leading global strategic communications provider, today announced that MultiState, a PPHC subsidiary providing state-level government relations, has hired Lee Cowen and Nicholas Evans, specialists in federal, state, and local government relations, through the acquisition of the assets of their respective management companies Cowen Consulting, LLC and Putnam Strategies, LLC. 

The acqui-hire additions significantly expand MultiState’s stakeholder engagement practice, which works with political organizations including governors’ associations (NGA, RGA, DGA), attorney general groups (NAAG, RAGA, DAGA), and other state-level (political and policy) organizations. With the addition of Lee Cowen and Nicholas Evans, MultiState’s dedicated stakeholder engagement team continues its growth, complementing a broader group of MultiState staff who engage in stakeholder work across their portfolios.

MultiState established its stakeholder engagement practice over the past three years under the leadership of Maggie Mick, who previously served as Chief Advancement Officer at the Council of State Governments. The hiring of Lee Cowen and Nicholas Evans accelerates the growth of the practice and positions the firm to better serve large clients who require sophisticated multistate strategies.

Lee Cowen and Nicholas Evans bring an established client roster of major national companies and organizations. They have built trusted relationships over decades in state government affairs, and their clients represent strong candidates for MultiState’s broader suite of services, including issue management and lobbying compliance.

Stewart Hall, CEO of PPHC, commented:

“MultiState has built something unique and distinctive in the state government affairs market, and stakeholder engagement is a natural extension of that offering. Lee and Nicholas are highly experienced and well-regarded professionals with strong client relationships, and we see real opportunity to offer those clients the full breadth of MultiState’s and PPHC’s capabilities.”

Joe Crosby, CEO of MultiState Associates, commented:

“Lee and Nicholas are exactly the kind of people anyone would want on their team. They have been incredibly successful on their own yet recognize the additional value we collectively will bring to our clients. We’ve made significant investments in building our Stakeholder Engagement practice, guided by Maggie Mick and supported by our deeply experienced team — making this the perfect time for Lee and Nicholas to join us. Several of us have known Lee and Nicholas for decades; they are genuinely good people and extraordinary professionals who will accelerate our growth.”

Lee Cowen, Founder of Cowen Consulting, commented:

“Nicholas and I are thrilled to be joining MultiState and the entire PPHC family. We have known the MultiState folks for decades, and we’re excited to be able to enhance their stakeholder engagement practice while also being able to offer our current – and future – clients more of the complimentary services provided by MultiState and the PPHC team. With increased focus on the state policy front, we became convinced that a more comprehensive suite of services – such as issues management, compliance, research, etc. – is necessary for businesses and associations as they work with state governments to achieve their policy goals. For Nicholas and me, MultiState was the obvious choice when looking for the right teammates.”

About MultiState Associates

MultiState Associates is a PPHC subsidiary providing state-level government relations, issue management, regulatory tracking, and lobbying compliance services. MultiState helps companies and trade associations navigate the multistate policy landscape through a combination of strategic advisory, technology-enabled monitoring, and direct stakeholder engagement.

Concordant Launches Regulatory and Political Due Diligence Practice for Investors and Deal Teams

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  • A purpose-built regulatory and political due diligence practice for the transaction community, delivering board-ready analysis for investors and deal teams evaluating transactions and market entry.
  • Provides a comprehensive, rigorous assessment of key regulatory, legislative, and political risks to valuation, closing, and long-term viability of transactions.
  • Backed by PPHC’s 11 specialized firms, providing access to one of the largest federal lobbying practices in Washington alongside the country’s broadest state-level government affairs coverage.
  • Led by Trevor Hanger, a capital markets and merger arbitrage veteran, and Max Mandich, a former House policy adviser.

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Public Policy Holding Company, Inc. (“PPHC” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: PPHC), a leading global strategic communications provider, today announced that its Concordant Advisory subsidiary is expanding into regulatory and political due diligence, delivering board-ready diligence reports for investors, deal teams, and corporates evaluating high-stakes transactions and market entry.

Concordant draws on PPHC’s depth of policy expertise – tapping more than 150 experienced policy experts and registered lobbyists, as well as the largest broker of state-level lobbying services in the country, with engagements and legislative tracking in all 50 U.S. states. Concordant provides deal teams with direct access to this expertise to deliver diligence reports that assess whether regulatory, legislative, or political risk could alter valuation assumptions, delay or prevent closing, or change the long-term viability of a business model. Engagements cover federal and state regulatory landscape analysis, stakeholder mapping, and actionable mitigation strategies.

The due diligence practice will be led by Trevor Hanger and Max Mandich, who bring complementary experience spanning capital markets, regulatory advisory, and policy analysis.

Trevor Hanger is a Partner at FTP, a PPHC member company, where he specializes in capital markets issues, alternative assets, and multi-sector transaction and portfolio company due diligence. Prior to joining FTP, Hanger served as COO and Director of Research at a boutique investment bank in Washington, D.C., where he managed the firm’s policy research, strategic consulting, and investment banking divisions and led teams advising institutional and private equity clients on corporate and investment strategy. He also has nearly a decade of experience as a merger arbitrage trader and Head of Policy on the buy side.

Max Mandich joins as Senior Director of Insights with extensive experience advising corporate and investor clients on U.S. policy and regulation within the financial services sector, including issues relevant to fintech and digital assets. He previously served as a senior associate at Global Counsel, where he analyzed US policy within the financial services sector for both corporate and investor clients. Prior to that, he served as a policy adviser to a Member of the US House of Representatives, handling financial services policy and economic issues.

Stewart Hall, CEO of PPHC commented:

“Our clients and their advisors have told us for years that they need a better way to underwrite political and regulatory risk in transactions. We believe PPHC has the deepest bench of policy expertise in the industry, and Concordant is how we put that expertise to work for the deal community. This is a focused, repeatable product backed by federal and state practitioners who are actively shaping the policy landscape our clients are trying to navigate.”

Trevor Hanger, Partner at FTP commented:

“Investors are making billion-dollar decisions with incomplete pictures of the regulatory landscape. Having spent years on the capital markets side advising institutional and private equity clients, I know what deal teams actually need — and it’s not a policy briefing, it’s an investment-grade assessment of current and future regulatory risk that they can take to their investment committee. That’s what Concordant delivers.”

Max Mandich, Senior Director of Concordant commented:

“The market for regulatory and political diligence is growing, and investors are increasingly looking for deeper insight. Concordant is built differently. When we staff an engagement, we’re not just sending researchers to read the public record. We’re bringing in the people who many times helped write the regulations, lobbied for the amendments, and understand the political environment. That is a fundamentally different product.”

Concordant Advisory is a subsidiary of PPHC. For more information, visit concordantadvisory.com.

Lucas Public Affairs Celebrates 20 Years of Helping Clients Win

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SACRAMENTO, CA — Lucas Public Affairs (LPA), a leading California public affairs firm, this week celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of guiding high-stakes campaigns, advancing public policy initiatives and delivering strategic counsel – and wins – to clients throughout the state.

Founded in 2006 by Chief Executive Officer Donna Lucas, the Sacramento-based, women-led firm has grown into one of California’s most respected public affairs practices, advising a wide array of corporate, nonprofit, and public entity clients, including climate, energy, insurance, education, tourism, transportation, state and local government and nonprofit organizations.

Led by Lucas and President Cassandra Pye, veterans of gubernatorial administrations and long-time leaders in Capitol politics and policy, LPA has built a talented team respected for top-tier strategy, bipartisan credibility and deep relationships across California’s political and legislative landscape.

“The fact that we’re celebrating 20 years is more than a reflection of our work, it’s emblematic of our relationships with clients, colleagues and partners who have supported us along the way,” said Lucas. “We’ve had the opportunity to work on consequential issues that have made our state stronger and bolstered its success, and I’m deeply grateful to all those who have worked with us and trusted us to help them succeed.”

Read the full press release from LPA.

PPHC Expands Strategic Advisory Platform with Appointment of TrailRunner Sports President

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WASHINGTON, Mar. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Public Policy Holding Company, Inc. (“PPHC” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: PPHC), a leading global provider of strategic communications services, today announced that TrailRunner International (“TrailRunner”), one of the Company’s member firms, has named Alden Mitchell as President of TrailRunner Sports, its global sports advisory business.

The appointment reflects PPHC’s continued investment in high-value growth areas across its platform. As the global sports industry grows in scale and institutional complexity, leagues, teams, ownership groups, universities, and brands increasingly require the same strategic communications and advisory capabilities that PPHC’s member firms deliver across corporate reputation, financial communications, crisis, and strategic advisory services.

TrailRunner Sports was established in 2023 to meet this demand. Since launch, the business has built a client roster spanning major professional teams in the United States and abroad, sports teams, universities, collegiate conferences, and brands. A joint venture with Legends, the global premium experiences company, TrailRunner Sports advises on crisis and reputation management, league expansions, media rights negotiations, litigation communications, and other significant transactions. The appointment of a dedicated President signals the next phase of investment in the platform as client demand continues to grow.

Mitchell joins from Stanford Athletics, where she served as Chief Operating Officer and Interim Athletics Director, overseeing capital projects, external relations, facilities and operations, finance, human resources, and revenue-generating initiatives. As Interim Athletics Director, she led the organization through a period of competitive and commercial success while driving fundraising growth, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing financial discipline.

Previously, Mitchell led Uber’s Consumer Business Development team from 2021 to 2024, spearheading strategic partnerships with the NFL, Live Nation, Marriott, Instacart, and others. Earlier in her career, she served as Senior Vice President of Distribution at the Pac-12 Networks and as Head of Global Partnerships and Content Strategy at Crunchyroll, the global anime streaming platform. She brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience across sports, media, and technology.

Mitchell joins a strong and growing team of sports leaders at TrailRunner, including Jamie Zaninovich, who will serve as Vice Chair of TrailRunner Sports, partnering closely with Mitchell. Mitchell will report directly to Jim Wilkinson, Founder and Executive Chairman of TrailRunner International.

Zaninovich, who has helped launch TrailRunner’s sports business and brings three decades of experience across collegiate athletics and conference leadership, will focus on strategy and business development in his role as Vice Chair of TrailRunner Sports. He will continue to advise select clients and focus on strategic growth initiatives in partnership with Mitchell.

Stewart Hall, Chief Executive Officer of PPHC, commented:

“This is another strong example of PPHC investing behind differentiated leadership and high-value growth opportunities across our platform. TrailRunner has added important strategic and financial communications capabilities to the Group, and TrailRunner Sports extends that model into one of the most dynamic and increasingly institutionalized sectors of the global economy. Alden’s appointment strengthens an already promising business and positions it for continued growth.”

Jim Wilkinson, Founder and Executive Chairman of TrailRunner International, commented:

“The business of sports is more exciting, complex, and consequential than ever before. Alden is exactly the kind of leader we need to take this rapidly growing platform to the next level. Sports is now a major global asset class. Ownership is shifting, capital is pouring in, college athletics is being remade, women’s sports is accelerating, and media and technology are changing the way fans connect to the games they love. Alden has the experience, passion, and competitive drive to capitalize on these tremendous opportunities and help our clients win.”

Alden Mitchell commented:

“TrailRunner has built something special — a team that understands both the business and the heartbeat of sports and is determined to go above and beyond for clients and each other. The sports landscape is evolving rapidly, and the opportunity to scale a best-in-class advisory business that delivers measurable impact for clients around the world is incredibly energizing. I can’t wait to partner with Jamie and this outstanding team and get to work.”

KP Public Affairs Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary with Third Generation Leadership

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SACRAMENTO, CA – PPHC firm KP Public Affairs is excited to celebrate its 30-year anniversary and announce its third generation leadership with a new management team.  

As one of the longest standing and consistently effective advocacy and public affairs firms in California, KP’s work continues to expand in all practice areas including legislative and regulatory advocacy, policy consulting, public relations, and procurement.  

The firm’s new management team will be led by Alison MacLeod, John Doherty, and Brian White, and will oversee day to day operations alongside partners Jon Ross, Ed Manning, Mike Burns, Jeff Sickenger, Jenny Dudikoff, Vanessa Cajina, Patrick George, and Pat Joyce. 

KP began in the mid-1990’s by combining two firms to create the largest lobbying firm in the state with clients that represented every major industry and local government sector in California. KP has evolved over the last three decades to become a full-service, integrated public affairs firm with a comprehensive public relations and regulatory consulting practice. Throughout this growth, the company has maintained a boutique feel with the highest level of service and dedication to client success. 

“We are focused on delivering client successes today, while positioning the firm for future growth with continuous expansion of our expertise and capabilities. KP has a strong foundation of clients across industry sectors and interest areas, and we have a highly talented team of professionals that are working every day to meet our clients’ goals,” said Alison MacLeod, John Doherty, and Brian White. 

Read the full story from KP Public Affairs.

Seven Letter Expands Nationwide – New Offices and Experts in Los Angeles, New York City, and Huntsville   

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Firm’s growth provides clients coast-to-coast advantages and sector-specific strengths, bolsters strategic digital capacities   

  • Seven Letter launches three new offices in LA, NYC, and Huntsville, Alabama   

  • Brandon Shaw, former Comms VP for Disney and Hulu, entertainment industry expert, will be named Seven Letter partner based in LA  

  • Longtime Seven Letter team member Holly Jackson to open Huntsville office serving defense and aerospace sectors  

  • Marley Hambourger adds NYC office and strengthens digital advertising offering   

WASHINGTON, DC – (January 8, 2026) – Seven Letter, an expertise-powered bipartisan strategic communications firm, today announced a major geographic expansion involving the addition of three new offices – Los Angeles, New York, and Huntsville – to bolster its growing nationwide offerings and emerging specialized practices. This development includes the addition of senior-level counselors to open the new offices and support the expansion.   

“Seven Letter isn’t just growing geographically, but strategically,” said Erik Smith, CEO and Founder. “This expansion allows us to be closer to the industries that are driving our growth. We have always emphasized providing senior-level counsel at every step – and now we can do so across more sectors and in more geographies. I’m excited about what’s to come for our clients and our team.”   

Read the full announcement from Seven Letter.

PPHC to Acquire Pine Cove Strategies

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Public Policy Holding Company, Inc. (AIM: PPHC), the leading government relations, public affairs and strategic communications group, has entered into a binding agreement on 11 July 2025 to acquire the business and assets of Pine Cove Capital, LLC, a premier Texas-based strategic consulting firm (the “Acquisition”), for an initial consideration of $3.0 million and a total potential consideration of $13.0 million. Upon completion, which is anticipated to occur in August 2025, the Acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to the Group’s underlying earnings.

Based in Austin, Texas, Pine Cove Capital is led by the Honorable George P. Bush, who previously served as the 28th Land Commissioner for the State of Texas.

Following completion, under Commissioner Bush’s leadership and operating under a new name, Pine Cove Strategies (“Pine Cove”) intends to establish and build a Texas state government relations practice in addition to its existing strategic consulting offering.

Acquisition highlights

  • The Acquisition is in line with the Group’s growth strategy to expand into certain key US state capitals, complementing the Group’s federal capabilities with best-in-class local market expertise. Texas, as one of the largest state economies and most consequential for public policy activities, has long been one of the Group’s stated priorities for local government relations expansion.
  • Austin, the capital of Texas, is a critical nexus of business, politics, and regulatory affairs. Together with the April 2025 acquisition of TrailRunner International, this Acquisition enhances the Group’s ability to deliver top-tier strategic communications and government relations services across Texas, supporting clients at greater scale both locally and nationally.
  • Pine Cove will become PPHC’s third state government relations operation, alongside KP Public Affairs (California) and O’Neill and Associates (Massachusetts). Combined with MultiState’s 50-state reach, this further strengthens PPHC’s leadership in the fragmented state government relations market.
  • The business assets of Pine Cove Capital, LLC will be acquired through a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, Pine Cove Strategies, LLC, which will retain its brand and operate independently. The Group sees strong revenue and profit synergy potential across its 1,300+ client base.
  • Upon completion, the Acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to underlying earnings per share. 

 Overview of Pine Cove Capital

  • Pine Cove Capital is a strategic consulting firm that serves as a long-term partner to clients ranging from start-ups to established businesses and Fortune 500 companies.  It advises and supports clients in navigating regulatory and complex business challenges. The founders, Commissioner George P. Bush and Amanda Bush, are native Texans with combined experience of over 40 years in government, business and law. Pine Cove Capital has a far-reaching network throughout Texas, the second largest state economy in the US and would rank as the 8th largest economy in the world.
  • Commissioner Bush is an attorney, businessman and former Naval Intelligence Officer.  Before co-founding Pine Cove Capital, he served as the 28th Texas Land Commissioner.
  • Amanda Bush is an attorney who practiced commercial law for 14 years before co-founding Pine Cove Capital. She has sat on the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors for several clients.

Stewart Hall, CEO of PPHC, commented:

“Texas is a priority market and of critical importance to the national and global economy. It is also a state that is currently experiencing a significant influx of business. PPHC, with unmatched local scale, is set to capitalise on this as the requirement for our capabilities increases. I’m therefore extremely pleased to welcome Pine Cove to the PPHC family. With George and Amanda’s deep relationships and proven track record in Texas politics, we’re looking forward to turbo charging Pine Cove’s growth by adding a government relations practice to its existing strategic communications services, and through the cross-referral of work within the broader PPHC network.”

Commissioner George P. Bush, Managing Partner of Pine Cove Strategies, commented:

“Joining PPHC marks a transformative step for Pine Cove Capital and our clients,” said Commissioner Bush.  “By combining our deep Texas roots and local expertise with PPHC’s national scale and resources, we can deliver a broader suite of services and greater strategic value to organizations navigating today’s complex policy and business landscape. This partnership empowers us to offer clients seamless access to top-tier government relations and communications capabilities—both in Texas and across the country—while retaining the personalized service and trusted relationships that define our firm. Together, we are uniquely positioned to help clients achieve their goals in one of the world’s most dynamic markets, leveraging PPHC’s extensive network and proven track record of success.”

PPHC Grows Top 20 Presence in Q1 2025 LDA Rankings with Continued Growth in Federal Lobbying Revenue

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WASHINGTON — Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) revenues for Q1 2025 were released this week, and Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) is pleased to report continued momentum across its federal lobbying practices.

All three of PPHC’s core federal lobbying firms—Forbes Tate Partners, Crossroads Strategies, and Alpine Group—have once again maintained their rankings among the top 20 lobbying firms in Washington, underscoring the Group’s consistency and client trust.

Additionally, O’Neill and Associates in Boston, MA, which primarily focuses on state-based lobbying but does federal work as well, contributed to strong performance this quarter. Combined, PPHC’s firms reported $18.7 million in LDA revenue for Q1 2025, representing a 5.73% increase over Q4 2024 disclosures.

This follows a strong finish to 2024, when PPHC’s firms collectively disclosed $68.9 million in annual federal lobbying revenue.