The Southern Group is adding another experienced hand as it continues to expand beyond its Florida base.
Denise Quarles has joined the firm as a lobbyist in its Georgia office and as Vice President of Market Expansion, a role that reflects both her background in government affairs and her experience helping organizations grow in complex public-sector environments.
Quarles most recently served as U.S. Head of Strategy at Siemens, where she worked with senior leadership on cross-business priorities and identifying growth opportunities across federal, state, and local markets. She also served as Chief City Executive and Head of External Affairs for Siemens’ Southeast region, where she built relationships with local governments and helped advance major infrastructure and economic development initiatives.
Earlier in her career, she served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability for the City of Atlanta, where she advised city leadership and helped shape major policy and procurement decisions, including leading the city’s first comprehensive sustainability plan.
At The Southern Group, she will split her time between client work in Atlanta and helping guide the firm’s expansion into new markets, an effort that has been steady and deliberate since its founding more than 25 years ago.
“TSG was never meant to be a Tallahassee-only operation. From the beginning, we had our eyes set on a multi-market lobbying firm, held together by a team-centric mentality and a tenacious drive to win for our clients,” said Paul Bradshaw, founder and Chair of The Southern Group of Florida.
TSG has built its reputation on a model that combines strong relationships, deep government expertise, and a collaborative approach often described internally as “one plus one equals three.” It’s a formula the firm has replicated across 13 markets in the Southeast and Washington, D.C.
Now, the focus is on what comes next. With Rachel Cone overseeing growth and expansion efforts, the addition of Quarles brings both national perspective and hands-on experience in scaling organizations across markets.
“Denise has a rare ability to connect the dots across markets, stakeholders, and opportunities,” Cone said. “That perspective is going to be incredibly valuable as we continue to expand.”
