Founded by Brian Ballard in 1998, Ballard Partners has expanded from a Florida-based firm into one with a national and international presence. Its runaway growth has continued in 2025, with this year alone witnessing it opening new offices, forging strategic partnerships with like-minded international firms, and taking on new clients. It has also hired six new government relations consultants. Let’s learn more about each of these experienced professionals and how they’re helping to exceed the expectations of Ballard Partners clients.
Michael Alvarez
The year opened with Ballard Partners hiring Michael Alvarez to lead its newly formed Chicago office. Alvarez is the founder of Michael Alvarez & Associates, where he made his name as one of the leading public affairs professionals in the Chicago, Illinois, market.
A native Chicagoan who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University, Alvarez was previously elected to serve as a water commissioner for Greater Chicago, a position he held for six years. His background also includes a role as a senior advisor to then-Senator Barack Obama.
Tracie Pough
In late January 2025, Ballard Partners announced Tracie Pough as the newest member of its rapidly growing Washington, DC, office. Known as a “chief’s chief,” Pough is an experienced chief of staff on Capitol Hill who is bringing her extensive Washington, DC, connections to Ballard Partners.
Pough’s most high-profile position was as chief of staff to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She held this position for 18 years, some of which time was concurrent with her responsibilities as a senior advisor and director at the Democratic National Committee during Wasserman Schultz’s tenure as chairwoman.
Thomas Boodry
The summer of 2025 brought news that Ballard Partners would be growing its Washington, DC, office, both in terms of expanding its physical size and bringing in new staff. One of these new hires was Thomas Boodry.
Before joining Ballard Partners, Boodry served as a special assistant to President Donald Trump and as a senior director for legislative affairs at the National Security Council. His career in government has also seen him advise members of Congress, including then-Senator Marco Rubio.
Grace Colvin
Grace Colvin came to Ballard Partners’ Washington, DC, office after establishing herself as a leading advocate for credit unions. As the vice president of federal advocacy and strategy at the League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, she championed initiatives benefiting credit unions and their customers.
Colvin holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Alabama. As a member of the firm’s Washington, DC, office, she brings experience in government relations as the former director of communications and governmental relations at the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office.
Mike Rubino
In October 2025, Ballard Partners announced the newest member of the Ballard Global Alliance, the risk advisory and public affairs firm Forward Global. As part of the strategic partnership, Forward Global partner Mike Rubino accepted a dual partner role with Ballard Partners in the firm’s Washington, DC, office.
Rubino brings deep experience, having helped lead President Donald Trump to victory as a senior advisor on his 2016 presidential campaign. He also later served in the president’s administration as a senior official in the US Department of Health and Human Services. At Forward Global, he handles strategic communications and government relations for everyone ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high-profile public figures.
Bernice Kissinger
Ballard Partners’ most recent hire, Bernice Kissinger joined the firm’s new office in Honolulu that opened in October 2025. With her experience across the Indo–Pacific region, Kissinger is the ideal choice to establish the firm’s presence in Honolulu.
Over the course of her career, Kissinger has proven adept at enhancing the contracting processes for the Army, Marines, and Air Force. She holds a bachelor’s degree with magna cum laude distinction in East Asian studies from Princeton University. Kissinger’s career has seen her support defense technology programs in Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea.
