Peter Schorsch
Will Rodriguez will join Corcoran Partners as a senior lobbyist in its Tallahassee office, the firm announced Monday.
Known for being in House Speaker José Oliva’s inner circle as a political adviser and former head of the Florida GOP’s House campaigns effort, Rodriguez also has worked for Republicans such as Sen. Rene Garcia and Mayor of Hialeah Yioset De La Cruz. Rodriguez also served as the finance director for House Campaigns under former House Speaker Richard Corcoran.
“I am excited to have Will join our team,” firm principal Michael Corcoran said. “He has been a tireless advocate for the Speakers and members he has worked for, and I know he will bring that energy and experience to the firm and our clients.”
Rodriguez added: “During my 20 years of working in this business, I have had the distinct pleasure of working for honorable public servants at the highest levels that always put our residents first.
“The principled advocacy that Corcoran Partners has always provided made my decision to join the firm an easy one. I look forward to the work ahead.”
Oliva also weighed in on the firm’s new hire.
“Will Rodriguez is among my closest friends and one of a small number of people whom I could blindly vouch for,” Oliva said. “His integrity and principles are known by anyone who has ever interacted with him. A great loss for the Speaker’s Office but a tremendous gain for Corcoran Partners.”
Corcoran Partners is a new name for an experienced set of advocates. It was born out of an amicable split between Corcoran and longtime lobbying partner Jeff Johnston last month.
Rodriguez joins a lobbying team that already features Jessica Corcoran, Matt Blair, Anita Berry, Michelle Kazouris, and Andrea Tovar, who was recently elevated to the role of a lobbyist.
Their diverse roster of clients features companies such as American Traffic Solutions, Coca Cola, Florida Crystals, Parallel (formerly Surterra Holdings), Tampa Electric Company and Verizon.
Before getting into the political scene, Rodriguez served five years in the U.S. Navy.
He will continue to reside in Tallahassee with his wife, Lesley, and their three children, BreeAnne, Liam and Jon Luke.
