Natalie Brown departs RSA, heads back to Senate as Danny Burgess Senior Aide

Natalie Brown is leaving her post as Director of Government and Community Affairs at RSA Consulting Group to return to the Senate, where she will serve as Senior Legislative Aide to Sen. Danny Burgess.

Brown’s final day at RSA was last week, and she begins with Burgess on April 6. She and her husband are taking what they are calling a “Spring Break” between the two gigs.

Brown’s most recent employer praised her service.

“Team RSA is grateful to have had Natalie Brown as part of our team over the past 2 ½ years and although disappointed to see her leave us, we could not be more excited for her next season of life personally and professionally,” said Natalie King, RSA’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

“During her time with us, she added significant value to our clients and brought a level of direction and strategy to our Session approach and appropriations process that will live on within our organization long into the future.”

Brown leaves RSA with a host of fond memories, including during her first week on the job when a penguin bit her for standing too close to it.

“I learned from that experience, and for the next three Sessions, Gina Sisk and I coordinated ‘Penguin Day’ at the Capitol for The Florida Aquarium. I also started a new reception called ‘Penguins and Pinot’ so everyone in Tallahassee could meet TFA’s favorite feathered ambassadors and promote the Aquarium,” she recalled.

Brown also will remember her RSA tenure fondly for the lessons she learned, including a tracking system she established prior to her work for RSA, but that was adapted to follow client requests.

“I’m proud to say the whole team uses the system now, and the data is interesting,” she said.

And as a lifelong hockey fan, Brown will also miss her connection to and work with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a top RSA client.

“I loved going to the games with Ron and rallying the Lightning Caucus in Tallahassee each Session,” she said, adding her thanks to RSA President and CEO Ron Pierce and the entire RSA team.

“I learned so much, and I am grateful for experiences such as VIP Gasparilla, charity casino nights, and team-building nights with Legos. I especially want to thank Melody Arnold for sharing her knowledge of campaigning and fundraising, neither of which I had any experience with before joining the team,” Brown said.

Looking forward, Brown will now return to her previous responsibilities in Burgess’ Office, including navigating the state budget, assisting with education policy and helping to manage district communications. Other areas she will focus on include internal processes and client management.

Brown previously worked as the Senior Legislative Assistant for Burgess in Senate District 23 for nearly three years, from late 2020 until mid-2023, when she joined RSA.

“From day one Natalie Brown has been a trusted and valued member of this team, and that hasn’t changed. We’re excited to welcome her back to public service within the Florida Senate,” Burgess said. “Natalie has always felt like an integral part of this office and it feels less like a homecoming and more of a seamless continuation — picking up right where we left off.”

During her previous Senate tenure, Brown helped usher more than 90 bills into law. At the time she joined Burgess’ Office, he praised her for having a “can-do spirit” and strong work ethic.

Brown said, upon her return, she is “most looking forward to reconnecting with the team and the people in District 23.”

“The next two years will be big for Senator Burgess, and I’m happy I will be able to support him in Zephyrhills, Plant City, and Tallahassee,” she said.

Prior to working with Burgess, Brown also served as a Legislative Assistant to Sen. Tom Lee in Senate District 20, where she served for two years.

Brown earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Florida State University.