Capitol Consulting Group, Inc. (CCG) is a multi-client Columbus based governmental affairs advocacy firm founded in 1994, and it is one of the most highly respected independent lobbying firms in Ohio. CCG has earned its success and highly regarded reputation in governmental affairs advocacy through dedicated client service, strict adherence to legal and ethical codes of conduct, and a bipartisan approach to governmental affairs representation. All of the members of CCG�s team are seasoned veterans with access and knowledge of state government in combination like few others.
In addition to its stable of clients who have been with CCG for dozens of years, Capitol Consulting Group, Inc. has become one of the "go to" contract lobbying teams in Ohio for corporate clients seeking assistance with high profile, politically charged legislative and executive agency issues in Ohio including: Medicaid and healthcare reform, K-12 and higher education policy, electric deregulation, payday lending, gaming, CCG has successfully managed the affairs of a multitude of clients across a broad spectrum of complicated and media sensitive issues.
The selection process for a lobbying firm can be a difficult one. CCG encourages potential clients to take the time to discuss our firm�s reputation and performance with our clients, industry trade groups, public officials and our peers. We trust you will find our reputation for performance and integrity are matched by few.
President
« Back to Professionals About Mr. Jones »Dan Jones has developed an extensive portfolio of accomplishments and experience in Ohio public affairs. Over the past thirty years, Mr. Jones has built a respected reputation of integrity and professionalism in state governmental affairs. Beginning his career in Statehouse politics at the age of nineteen, Mr. Jones has immersed himself in the personalities, insights and workings of state government as well as few others.
In 1982, Mr. Jones began his career as an employee of the Ohio House of Representatives. Mr. Jones quickly displayed his talents and penchant for politics. Mr. Jones moved from the Ohio House to the Ohio Senate where he served as a legislative aide. As an employee of both the House and Senate, Mr. Jones gained a great deal of understanding and personal contacts in the two distinct legislative branches of government.
In 1985, Mr. Jones embarked upon his lobbying career as Public Affairs Director for the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants. While with the Retail Merchants, Mr. Jones learned a great deal about grassroots lobbying and other sophisticated tracking, public relations and lobbying techniques used by large trade associations. In 1989, the State�s largest Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan (Community Mutual Insurance Company) hired Mr. Jones as Manager of Government Affairs. The experience as a lobbyist for a billion-dollar corporation provided Mr. Jones with a valuable understanding of the economic and communications requirements of corporate clients.
In 1990, Mr. Jones was recruited to serve as Legislative Liaison for Ohio Governor George Voinovich. In addition to his responsibilities of representing the Governor on the important issues before the House and Senate, Mr. Jones was empowered with the responsibility of building a legislative affairs program for the Governor and the twenty-six administration departments. Mr. Jones was instrumental in staffing agency liaisons many of whom are still in state government to date.
After leaving the Governor�s office, Mr. Jones formed Capitol Consulting Group, Inc. in 1994 where he has served the interests of a variety of corporate trade association and non-profit clients in a multitude of areas including: energy, health care, manufacturing, agriculture, waste, construction, telecommunications, insurance, gaming and financial services. Dan Jones is a graduate of the Ohio State University where he earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in International Business, Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language and a Masters in Business Administration.
Legislative Counsel
« Back to Professionals About Ms. Jones »With over 20 years of experience in legislative and regulatory affairs, Ms. Jones provides a unique blend of education and experience to CCG. Like Mr. Jones, Belinda began her legislative experience in the Ohio House of Representatives where she worked in the Clerkâ�™s Office of former Speaker Vernal G. Riffe. As an aide in the Ohio House, Ms. Jones developed a working knowledge of state government particularly in the areas of economic development and education. She also gained a â�œhands onâ� understanding of the importance of constituent and client services - a function she maintains diligently even today.
In 1989, Ms. Jones accepted a lobbying position with the Cleveland-based law firm of Walter and Haverfield. She began law school that same year in Capital University Law School�s night program. During her employment with Walter and Haverfield and later Betts & Associates, Ms. Jones lobbied on behalf of a number of trade associations including: the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, the Ohio Professional Applicators for Responsible Regulation and others. While she worked closely with her colleagues on a variety of issues including education and health care, Ms. Jones spent the majority of her time amassing broad- based knowledge of environmental and agricultural issues.
Ms. Jones finished law school in December of 1993 and was sworn in to the Ohio Bar in May 1994. In 1995, Ms. Jones joined The Scotts Company, the world�s leading manufacturer/ formulator and marketer of lawn and garden products. As Manager of Governmental Affairs at Scotts, she coordinated the company�s legislative and regulatory initiatives in all fifty states. In addition, she helped organize congressional lobbying activities on pesticide issues, represented the industry in meetings before the Assistant Administrator of the USEPA, and worked with the committees of a number of prominent national trade associations.
In 1996, Ms. Jones accepted the position of Corporate Counsel in Scotts� Law Department. In this capacity, Ms. Jones practiced environmental law, as well as various areas of substantive law. During her years at Scotts, Ms. Jones became proficient in statutory regulations of solid and hazardous waste, air emissions, and surface and groundwater as they relate to the use and manufacturing of fertilizers, pesticides and compost products. In November 1999, Ms. Jones joined CCG as the company�s primary legislative counsel. Ms. Jones provides CCG�s clients with knowledgeable interpretations of legislation and existing statutes, insight into the potential impact of bills and resolutions, and expertise in drafting legislation and amendments.
Manager of Governmental Affairs
« Back to Professionals About Mr. Hurley »Daniel Hurley brings extensive state budget and federal legislative experience to Capitol Consulting Group. He began his career in the Columbus Office of former U.S. Senator George Voinovich. After two years in that position Danny moved to the Senatorâ�™s Washington, D.C. office where he worked as an archivist, speechwriter, and policy analyst, reporting directly to the Senator.
Following Voinovich�s retirement in 2011 Danny joined the staff of State Senator Chris Widener, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Danny worked extensively on critical legislation including JobsOhio, the Governor�s Operating Budget, and the Governor�s Mid-Biennium review. During his time with Senator Widener, Danny developed a strong understanding of healthcare policy, K-12 and higher education issues, and the state budget process.
Danny joined Capitol Consulting Group in June of 2012, where he oversees the firm�s healthcare, education, and financial services portfolios. He holds a bachelor�s degree in political science from The Ohio State University and an Associate�s Degree from Clark State Community College. Danny is viewed by around the statehouse as a strong researcher and policy analyst who is thorough and detailed in his work.
Manager of Client Relations
« Back to Professionals About Ms. McCann-Spangler »Kristina McCann-Spangler was originally hired on at Capitol Consulting Group as a temporary associate, employed through Dawson Careers, at the end of September 2011. Since then, she has become a permanent member of the Capitol Consulting Group team, dealing with a multitude of services in regards to client relations.
In May 2011, Kristina graduated with honors from Capital University, majoring in Political Science, Public Administration, and French. Before her time at CCG, Kristina interned in Washington D.C. where she worked for a think tank, Center for Competitive Politics.
Dan Jones
President
djones@capitol-consulting.net
(614) 679-5061
Belinda Molihan Jones
Legislative Counsel
bjones@capitol-consulting.net
(614) 679-5062
Dan Hurley
Manager of Governmental Affairs
dhurley@capitol-consulting.net
(937) 572-3422
Kristina McCann-Spangler
Manager of Client Relations
kmccann@capitol-consulting.net
(614) 827-5262
Site Photos by Melanie Antram