Politics

Florida lobbying powerhouse merges with Crisafulli Consulting; reveals new brand — SBM Partners

Published

3 weeks ago

January 13, 2025

Partner owners of Smith Bryan & Myers, Jeff Hartley, Teye Carmichael and Lisa Hurley, announced the firm will operate under a new brand: SBM Partners. This announcement comes as the firm welcomes a merger with former House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and his firm, Crisafulli Consulting.

“Over the last 40 years, this firm has built a reputation as a trusted partner in business, government and politics. Our new branding as SBM Partners reflects the growth of our expertise and experience, while honoring the deep history and strength in reputation of this team,” said Hartley, President and Managing Partner at SBM Partners.

SBM Partners boasts a wide range of clients in the state of Florida and across the nation, including businesses in the automotive, health care, retail, telecommunications and tourism industries.

“Some of the best-known brands in the nation turn to SBM Partners to advance policy initiatives, secure state funding and pursue business growth opportunities because of our keen understanding of the process and our deep relationships with policymakers,” Carmichael said.

“The process to secure funding for projects that benefit and serve the public is highly competitive,” Hurley said. “We leverage our experience working as leaders in government to deliver meaningful results for our clients.”

Crisafulli joined Hartley, Carmichael and Hurley as a partner owner by merging the businesses on Jan. 1. He brings to the firm an extensive portfolio of clients across industries, including agriculture, energy, education and insurance, which he has supported while running a boutique-sized government relations firm for the last eight years.

“As Speaker of the House, I worked closely with the team at SBM Partners on a number of priority issues for our state. They are more than experts in the process, they are also highly trusted by lawmakers,” Crisafulli said. “I am thrilled with this opportunity to merge the two firms and be a part of the SBM team. By combining our capabilities and our portfolios, we can deliver even more for our clients.”

Crisafulli was elected to the House in 2008. He was unanimously chosen by his peers to serve as House Speaker from 2014 to 2016. During his time as Speaker, Crisafulli spearheaded landmark water quality protection legislation and led on key issues in agriculture, business, aerospace, education and health care industries. For the last decade, Crisafulli has consulted with and advocated on behalf of a diverse range of industries before Florida’s executive and legislative branches. Clients of SBM Partners will benefit from his three decades of business and legislative experience.

Also joining SBM Partners this year is Parker Powell, former deputy director of legislative affairs to Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis at the Department of Financial Services. Powell joins the team of government relations and political consultants, which includes David Daniel and Jonathan Rees.

The firm’s new brand reflects the growth and expansion of the team, while honoring its original founders: Gary Smith, Matt Bryan and Julie Myers. Over its 40-year history, the firm has built a reputation as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to navigate Florida’s complex political and regulatory environment. The last remaining founder, Matt Bryan, retired at the end of 2024.

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Politics

Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

Published

26 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”

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Politics

Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

Published

57 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.

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Politics

Holland & Knight launches National Security & Defense Industry Group

Published

2 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic will lead the 100-person team.

Holland & Knight is launching a National Security & Defense Industry Group led by D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic.

The multinational law firm headquartered in Tampa said it’s taking on the new endeavor due to clients’ increasing demands amidst a complex national security landscape and rising global defense investments.

H&K expects the new practice will benefit from its already-established expertise in the defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and technology sectors. The 100-person team of practitioners led by Klitenic will cater to security and defense clients based the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

“To confront emerging global threats, our clients are continuing to create and fund the development of innovative defense solutions that support the U.S. and its allies around the world,” Klitenic said. “… Our team’s deep government connections in the U.S. and abroad, coupled with our firm’s established reputation for collaborating with government policymakers and operators on meaningful issues, enables us to advise clients on the full spectrum of legal, political and operational issues in this space.”

Klitenic’s background includes serving as General Counsel to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Industry Group will also include former U.S. Intelligence Community members, high-ranking law enforcement officials and military veterans — Holland & Knight said the team’s diverse expertise will allow it to effectively navigate the intricacies of the national security landscape.

“In the many years that we have represented companies in the national defense and security sectors, we have built a substantial bench of premier practitioners across our geographic platform,” said Holland & Knight Chair and CEO Bob Grammig.

“We are excited to bring all of our global resources — comprising a unique mix of first-rate legal capabilities, a robust public policy and federal lobbying practice, and trusted relationships with U.S. government officials and foreign partners — under the umbrella of this new group. Together, this multidisciplinary team will continue to help our clients advance their strategic objectives.”

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