AAC named among Top 5 in magazine's "South's Top Government Affairs Firms and Lobbyists"

Thursday, October 15, 2015 8:00 am

Southern Political Report Magazine ranked the Association of Arkansas Counties as a top five Southern government affairs and lobbyist entity in Arkansas in its summer 2015 edition.

Southern Political Report rankings are based on the results of an online survey sent to lobbyists and government affairs specialists across 13 Southern states. In addition, top lawyers and lobbyists were consulted to make sure the rankings for each Southern state were as comprehensive and accurate as possible, according to the publication.

“We’re in the people business here at AAC,” said Chris Villines, AAC executive director. “Our stakeholders’ long-term and day-to-day needs and challenges are what we focus on; however, receiving recognition of this nature is a testament to the quality, dedication and passion that our staff brings to county government every day. We’re thrilled to be on the list and are excited to continue to serve the great people and counties of Arkansas.”

In the 13 Southern states, AAC was the only county association to make its state’s list.

Southern Political Report Magazine Publisher Phil Kent also addressed his publication’s rankings process in his note from the publisher in the summer 2015 edition.

“The Southern Political Report believes it is a service to our readers to attempt to rank the top government affairs firms and lobbyists who labor diligently in the legislative vineyards. After all, these men and women shape public policy all over the South. That’s why we regularly talk to various movers and shakers in 13 Southern states ‘in the know.’ Some are accomplished lobbyists themselves, or they are the clients big and small that they serve. They know who the best are and, with this issue, now you will know who they are!”

The Arkansas list for associations was as follows:

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce

Association of Arkansas Counties

Arkansas Hospital Association

Arkansas Poultry Federation

Arkansas Water and Waste Water Managers Association

Other categories included in the rankings were small firms and law firms.

The Arkansas list for small firms was as follows:

Impact Management Group

Noble Strategies

Mullenix and Associates

Phillips Management and Consulting Service, Inc.

Capitol Advisors Group

The Arkansas list for law firms was as follows:

Mitchell Williams Law

Friday, Eldridge and Clark LLP

Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP

Kutak Rock, LLP

Rose Law Firm

About the Association of Arkansas Counties
The AAC supports and promotes the idea that all elected officials must have the opportunity to act together in order to solve mutual problems as a unified group. To further this goal, the Association of Arkansas Counties is committed to providing a single source of cooperative support and information for all counties and county and district officials. The overall purpose of the association is to work for the improvement of county government in the state of Arkansas. The Association accomplishes this purpose by providing legislative representation, on-site assistance, general research, training, various publications and conferences to assist county officials in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their office.