Drew Wilson
Tasi Hogan and Nicole Kelly are the latest additions to The Southern Group‘s powerhouse team, expanding the firm’s insight and influence throughout the state.
“We are thrilled with these new additions to the firm and believe their strong connections in the Tallahassee and Orlando markets will fuel The Southern Group’s continued growth in 2021,” said founder and Chairman Paul Bradshaw.
A veteran of nearly 20 successful Central Florida campaigns, Hogan will bring a wealth of experience to the Orlando-based Southern team. On the campaign trail for candidates like Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Hogan covered everything from message development to fundraising to mobilizing grassroots support. She also worked to position Sen. Victor Torres and Rep. Kamia Brown for success in their respective races. In her latest post, Hogan made the leap into national politics, having served as the political director for East Central Florida for the Joe Biden for President Campaign.
Actively involved in organizations across Central Florida, Hogan serves on the Tiger Bay Club Board of Directors, the University of Central Florida’s Nicholson School of Communication Alumni Board, and the Harbor House Young Professionals Board.
Considered a “Rising Star” by INFLUENCE Magazine in 2019, Hogan was also among the Orlando Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2020. She is also a part of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Next-Gen Global Leaders Network Inaugural Class of 2021.
“Tasi Hogan is an incredible talent and the Swiss Army knife of political and government consultants,” Dyer said. “Her success running campaigns (including mine!), her involvement in the Central Florida community and experience building relationships and grassroots efforts will be a huge asset to The Southern Group and their impressive roster of clients in the region.”
Hogan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from California State University, San Bernardino and crossed the country to earn her master’s in mass communication from the University of Central Florida. She now resides in Winter Park.
In Tallahassee, Nicole Kelly has joined a flourishing Tallahassee practice where she’ll lend her expertise in the fields of property insurance, health care and appropriations among a variety of other policy areas.
Kelly’s early career began as a legislative analyst, where she enjoyed a front-row seat to the legislative process. After making the leap to the role of governmental consultant, Kelly spent the next 10 years strategically building and strengthening relationships with leadership and key members of both chambers of the legislative branch, representing a wide variety of clients and subject matter.
“Nicole Kelly is one of the bright spots in the Tallahassee lobby corps that I have enjoyed working with over the past several years,” said Naples Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a future Senate President. “She is a fierce advocate for her clients, an honest broker in her advocacy and a rising star in Florida politics. The Southern Group is lucky to have her.”
Kelly graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s in political science and sociology in 2011. She was born and raised in Tallahassee and currently lives there with her husband and 1-year-old son. Her family is expecting a little girl in late July.
The Southern Group is one of the top lobbying firms in the state. TSG represents various clients across several industries and routinely places among the top-5 state-level lobbying firms in quarterly earnings.
The firm has six offices across Florida and also operates in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
