October 22, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – GrayRobinson is pleased to announce Washington, D.C. Managing Director John Ariale and Washington, D.C. Deputy Managing Director Chris McCannell have been honored by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE) as 2026 Top Lobbyists.
The NILE Top Lobbyist distinction is awarded annually to 100 professionals – lobbyists, PAC managers, and grassroots advocates – who demonstrate outstanding performance, innovation, and ethical leadership in the field. This year’s honorees were selected from more than 500 nominations submitted by peers, clients, or congressional and agency staff, and the winners are chosen through a blind evaluation process to ensure the recognition is entirely merit-based. The 2026 honorees will be celebrated at NILE’s Top Lobbyist Gala in Washington, D.C., on November 2, 2026, as NILE marks its 10th anniversary. Ariale and McCannell were also named NILE Top Lobbyists in 2025.
Ariale brings nearly 40 years of senior-level experience in congressional relations, legislative politics, and advocacy. In 2026, he helped the International Fund for Agricultural Development launch a sustained education campaign with appropriators and senior staff in both chambers, positioning the U.S. to lead on global food security. He was also appointed to the Management Sciences for Health board of directors, a global nonprofit that strengthens health systems and expands access to quality healthcare worldwide. In this role, Ariale supports the organization’s governance and strategic direction as it works with governments, health organizations, and communities to build resilient, sustainable health systems. In addition, when an appropriations strategy to expand academic support for the children of Gold Star and wounded warrior families met agency resistance, Ariale helped conceive and introduce the Pathways to Academic Triumph for Homefront Students Act, which establishes a three-year, $5 million Title 10 pilot for academic support services. He also helped secure State and Foreign Operations report language positioning Project CURE to establish a new State Department pilot to deliver donated medical equipment and supplies to crisis-affected populations.
McCannell brings more than 20 years of Washington experience and insight to the clients of GrayRobinson. In 2026, he helped advance infrastructure priorities for the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, and Surface Tech, as Congress considered the five-year BUILD America 250 Act. He also advocated on behalf of the Angel Capital Association and other financial services clients to help secure long-sought reform of Section 1202, the qualified small business stock gain exclusion, in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, expanding incentives for investment in qualified small businesses and improving access to capital for startups. A leading advocate on infrastructure innovation, tax policy, and federal funding opportunities, McCannell was also appointed to the Surface Tech advisory board in 2026.
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About GrayRobinson
GrayRobinson is a multidimensional team of attorneys, advisors, and consultants recognized as one of the most influential legal-lobbying firms in Florida. Its nearly 300 professionals partner with successful businesses and enterprising individuals to close pivotal deals, resolve disputes, anticipate industry shifts, and harness forward momentum. The firm serves clients nationally from 16 offices across Florida and Washington, D.C. Learn more at Gray-Robinson.com.
CONTACT
Kristen Bridges, kristen.bridges@gray-robinson.com, 850.545.1917