January 7, 2022
Addition of Powerhouse Team Bolsters GrayRobinson’s Government Affairs and Lobbying Practice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – GrayRobinson today announced former Interim Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Ryan Matthews and Governmental Consultant Angela Drzewiecki have joined its Government Affairs and Lobbying Team. This powerhouse team joins GrayRobinson from Peebles, Smith and Matthews, Inc. (PSM), a government and public affairs firm specializing in general local government, utilities (electric, water, and wastewater), environmental, and infrastructure issues for the last 30 years.
"We are thrilled to have Ryan and Angela join GrayRobinson’s Government Affairs and Lobbying Team," said GrayRobinson President and CEO Dean Cannon. "They bring in-depth knowledge of the function and operation of local governments, municipal utilities, and Florida’s regulatory and permitting processes, as well as the overall legislative process, which bolsters the legal and advocacy service offerings our robust team provides within these essential sectors."
Among the many clients Matthews and Drzewiecki bring to GrayRobinson are the College of Florida Keys, Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Ground Water Association, the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust, the Florida Sheriffs Association, MetroPlan, Orlando Utilities Commission, and Toho Water Authority. In addition, they will continue to provide seamless representation for joint clients, including the City of Kissimmee, the City of Orlando, the City of Tampa, Florida Association of Counties, Florida League of Cities, Florida Municipal Electric Association, Florida Municipal Power Agency, JEA, Monroe County, and the Village of Islamorada.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said, "I am so pleased to learn that Ryan Matthews and Angela Drzewiecki have joined GrayRobinson. The two teams have been second to none when it comes to representing local government in Tallahassee for over two decades. I know from experience that Ryan and Angela will continue to provide their clients with superior representation in Tallahassee with Dean and the team at GrayRobinson."
Matthews joins GrayRobinson as a shareholder in the Tallahassee office, where he will focus on environmental, land use, and local government issues. For the last five years, Matthews was a partner of PSM with a recognized expertise in environmental policy, especially with respect to natural resources and water supply. Prior to joining the private sector, Matthews served as the Interim Secretary for DEP under the Rick Scott Administration, where he oversaw a $1.6 billion budget and supervised approximately 3,000 employees. Matthews also served as Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Director of the Office of Water Policy at DEP. In addition, Matthews served in the general counsel and legislative affairs offices of the Florida League of Cities for six years, and garnered political campaign experience, serving as political director for a statewide campaign and working on Capitol Hill. Matthews received his Master of Laws in Environmental Law from Denver University, Juris Doctor from the Florida Coastal School of Law, and Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Florida.
"Angela and I are delighted to be joining GrayRobinson," said Matthews. "Having worked with Dean Cannon and members of the firm over the years, we are proud to become a part of a team whose caliber of service consistently ranks them among the top producing and most highly acclaimed lobbying and law firms in Florida."
Drzewiecki, who joins GrayRobinson as a government consultant in the Tallahassee office, will focus on appropriations, law enforcement, and general local government issues. For the last five years, Drzewiecki was a governmental consultant at PSM, specializing in appropriations, local government, and health and public safety matters. Prior to her time at PSM, Drzewiecki raised in rank while honing her legislative advocacy efforts and political campaign experience at various high-profile lobbying firms and as a director of a gubernatorial campaign. Drzewiecki received her Master of Science in Applied American Politics and Policy and her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the Florida State University. Drzewiecki is not admitted to the practice of law.
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ABOUT GRAYROBINSON
GrayRobinson is a full-service law and government consulting firm with 15 offices in Florida and Washington, D.C. Our attorneys, lobbyists, and consultants provide legal and government affairs counsel to Fortune 500 companies, emerging businesses, financial institutions, state and local governments, developers, entrepreneurs, and individuals in Florida and throughout the Americas. We are at the forefront of emerging legal, legislative, regulatory, and market trends and we work closely with clients to help them identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and accomplish their business objectives. For more information, please visit Gray-Robinson.com.
CONTACT
Kristen Bridges, kristen.bridges@gray-robinson.com, 850.545.1917
Erin Charles, erin.charles@gray-robinson.com, 717.823.3925