The History of Ervin Graves

For more than 30 years, Ervin Graves Strategy Group has achieved results for our clients in defense, appropriations, biotech, health services, finance, cybersecurity, natural resources, consumer packaged goods, fintech and more. At the same time, Ervin Graves has been a trusted, bipartisan resource to policymakers, leveraging experience and insight into a broad range of issues to inform the legislative process.

Building on the principles of bipartisanship and trustworthiness that Jim Ervin laid out when he founded the firm in 1987, former Congressman Tom Graves joined forces with Jim in 2020 to launch Ervin Graves Strategy Group. After nearly 20 years in the Georgia legislature and U.S. House, Tom has a reputation for relationship building and forging creative solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the nation.

Meet The Team

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Honorable Tom Graves

President & CEO
As a north Georgia country boy, Tom’s life has been fueled by one slogan his father shared with him: Dream Big, Work Hard, and Achieve Much. ‍He’s been a...
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Jim Ervin

Chairman
As an original founder of Ervin Graves, Jim works with each of our clients to coordinate a legislative agenda that fits their specific needs and interests. He utilizes his...
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Tim Baker

Exec. Vice President & COO
Tim is an experienced manager, utilizing his years as a Chief of Staff for three Members of Congress to coordinate and execute the inner office functions that support the...
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Scott Hommel

Senior Vice President
Scott is a government and public affairs professional with a diverse background spanning defense, homeland security, natural resources, and recreation.  Having held senior level positions in state and federal...
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Reed Craddock

Vice President
Reed Craddock is a seasoned government affairs and policy professional with extensive experience in defense, intelligence, and financial services. Over nearly a decade on Capitol Hill serving as a Deputy Chief...
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Brandon Kirby

Director
Brandon Kirby moved to Washington, D.C. in 2015 to pursue a career in public policy. He began his career working at a non-profit before joining Capitol Hill, where he...
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Julia Trent

Director
Julia Trent is a well-versed congressional and political strategist with nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill and in adjacent political roles. She previously served as Deputy Director of...
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Matt Marsh

Senior Manager
Matt joined Ervin Graves as a Research Associate in the Fall of 2022 and is now a Manager with the firm. He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College where...
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Nora Murphy

Senior Associate
Nora Murphy joined Ervin Graves as a Research Associate and now serves as a Senior Associate in the firm’s Energy, Environment, and Interior practice area. Her work spans congressional...
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Maggie Linehan

Associate
Maggie Linehan is a Government Affairs Associate with experience supporting healthcare and defense clients. In her previous role at The CONSILIO Group, she supported client-focused government relations efforts through...
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Jackson Burdine

Junior Associate
Jackson Burdine is a Junior Associate at Ervin Graves Strategy Group, where he supports the firm’s work in the Critical Infrastructure, Technology, and Analytics practice group. He previously served...
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Thomas Karalus

Research Associate
Thomas Karalus is a Research Associate at Ervin Graves Strategy Group. He is currently pursuing a degree in Economics at George Washington University, with minors in Statistics and Political...
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Senior Advisory Team

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Debbie Burrell

Special Advisor
Since leaving the Hill in 2013, Ms. Burrell has effectively developed and implemented strategies for amending legislation, securing funding for projects and programs, and for revising federal regulations in...
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Oliver Meissner

Senior Advisor
Oliver Meissner is a seasoned government relations professional, entrepreneur and investor. In 2006 he established The CONSILIO Group LLC, a prominent lobbying firm headquartered in Washington DC, which specializes...
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In Memoriam

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Rhett Dawson

It is with great sadness that we share Senior Advisor Rhett Dawson passed away at his home in Annapolis, Maryland on February 16, 2026. A longtime friend of our...
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