FRANKLIN SQUARE GROUP - Key Persons
Josh has the unique experience of working in the White House and for the Leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This extensive government experience combined with over a decade of representing innovative and disruptive companies distinguish Josh as one of the leading advocates of technology and innovation in Washington. Josh has continually been recognized by The Hill as one of the top lobbyists for the high-tech industry.
Josh co-founded Franklin Square Group after seeing the need for innovators to have a stronger voice in Washington. He helped build a firm that incorporates a startup culture and mentality, looking forward while addressing policy issues and managing the disruption often caused by innovative startups and multinational technology companies.
Josh began his advocacy work as Vice President of Government Relations for the Information Technology Industry Council, a group that represents 40 of the biggest tech companies in the world. As ITI's lead Democratic lobbyist, he developed and directed strategic initiatives that delivered results on taxes, intellectual property, high-skilled immigration, global competitiveness and more.
Before entering the private sector, Josh served in the Clinton White House as Special Assistant to the President and Staff Director of Office of Legislative Affairs, the President's lobbying team. On Capitol Hill, he served as the chief liaison between Democratic Senators and the high-tech sector, and as advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle on technology issues. He began his career in Washington as an aide in the leadership office of House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt.
Recognized as a top lobbyist, Kevin is passionate about promoting innovation and helping companies navigate the government regulatory and policy landscape.
Prior to joining Franklin Square Group, he represented a multinational software company and a cloud native cybersecurity company before Congress, the White House and government agencies. He also led technology policy for a trade association for federal contracting companies and spearheaded a bipartisan coalition that successfully supported funding for federal IT modernization and cybersecurity.
Kevin brings over 9 years experience in the US Senate, where he advised members of the Appropriations committee and the Commerce, Science and Transportation committee on telecommunications, technology and R&D policy. He was the Senate staff lead for successful legislation reforming how the federal government acquires and manages IT as well as increasing commercial access to wireless spectrum. He also led consumer protection initiatives and oversight activities related to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other government agencies.
A Seattle native, Kevin earned degrees at the University of Washington and Georgetown University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Policy and Research
As Franklin Square Group's Director of Policy and Research, Khloe provides timely information and analysis to clients on the pressing tech issues facing Washington. Through her experience with issues-based messaging, skilled research practices, and attention to detail, she helps the team dive deep into key tech policy issues and develops useful, streamlined communications for Franklin Square's client base. Khloe is fiercely committed to creating progress and ever-improving strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Prior to joining Franklin Square, Khloe worked in project management and policy development for the American Academy of Actuaries, where she managed the organization of over thirty committees and task forces, and worked on state regulatory issues related to life insurance. She also has experience in legislative analysis and strategic planning on affordable housing policy at the National Council of State Housing Agencies, where she aided in the organization of a variety of successful legislative initiatives.
Khloe's political background at the state, federal, and international level has helped her excel in understanding the complex Washington policy landscape, where she is able to combine her experience to see the big picture and apply strategic analysis to a wide variety of issue areas. Khloe served as communications director for the campaign to successfully elect Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL) in 2016, and then moved on to Lawson's official staff. She also held internships in both the Florida House of Representatives and the House of Commons in British Parliament.
Born and raised in Florida, Khloe graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's degree in media communications studies.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Technology Policy Leader in Washington
Matt has been a technology policy leader in Washington for over two decades. He combines deep policy expertise and an extensive network of tech policy leaders, making him one of today's most highly regarded technology policy consultants - a status confirmed by being named multiple times by The Hill newspaper as one of Washington's top lobbyists.
As co-founder of the Franklin Square Group, Matt leads a Franklin Square team that takes on the toughest tech policy projects - from mapping out the first roadmap for high growth venture-backed startups, to advising multinational companies with complex problems and transactions. Matt has also led multiple advocacy coalitions, including the Coalition for Patent Fairness - recognized by Politico as the best overall advocacy success of 2013 - serving as spokesman, strategist, and campaign manager.
Before founding Franklin Square Group, Matt served as Director of Government Affairs at Cisco Systems where he led advocacy programs on issues including intellectual property, competition, immigration, and tax. On Capitol Hill, Matt served as Counsel to Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He worked on the key issues shaping the future of the Internet such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Inbox Privacy (SPAM) Act, the Microsoft antitrust investigation, and several major telecommunication mergers.
Matt was born in Detroit, Michigan and is a die hard Red Wings and Tigers fan. He has held a variety of odd jobs which have shaped his outlook on advocacy, including car salesman, hockey coach, and campaign finance attorney.
Nelson brings over 30 years of experience working in the White House, the Capitol and one of the top trade associations in Washington. He has put that experience to work having advised executive teams and senior decision makers for some of the most recognized technology companies in the world, including several when they were just beginning to have a presence in Washington.
Prior to joining Franklin Square Group, Nelson founded the Public Affairs firm Capitol Chambers Strategies, and worked as a Managing Director in the Government Affairs segment of FTI Consulting, a global management consulting firm. In those capacities Nelson developed and implemented integrated public affairs campaigns for a variety of industries such as technology, fintech and energy. Under President George W. Bush, Nelson served as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. In this role, he helped shape key Administration policy and was a liaison between the President and Members of Congress. At the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Nelson was Director of Federal Government Relations, where he developed and implemented advocacy and grassroots strategies for small-business owners on issues such as health care, taxes, and labor laws. During his tenure, NFIB was ranked by Fortune Magazine as one of the top advocacy organizations in the country.
Nelson is from Peoria, Illinois and began his career working for House Republican Leader Robert H. Michel (IL). He also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant in the Connecticut Congressional delegation. Nelson graduated from Indiana University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs.
From cybersecurity and government surveillance to immigration and patents, Sarah Beth Jansen is hard-wired into the biggest tech issues in Washington. Her proven industry leadership and counsel are an indispensable resource for Franklin Square Group clients.
Sarah Beth spent almost 7 years in the Senate as counsel to Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) and on the Senate Judiciary Committee. She advised the senator on a range of issues including intellectual property, where she worked on both the PRO-IP Act and the America Invents Act, immigration, antitrust, data security, nominations, and oversight of the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.
During law school, Sarah Beth spent her summers on Capitol Hill as a legal intern on the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, the House Committee on Financial Services, and with Senator Jeff Sessions on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Before entering public service, Sarah Beth worked for three years in the financial services industry in Birmingham, Alabama.
Sarah Beth is from Memphis, Tennessee, and earned her J.D. from The University of Alabama School of Law and her B.S.B.A. in Finance from Auburn University.
Wes brings two decades of expertise developing and shaping federal policy with a focus on financial services, technology, and energy. As a trained engineer, he quickly understands complex systems and technology which helps him to translate and negotiate solutions for clients and policymakers.
Prior to joining Franklin Square Group, Wes was a vice president of federal affairs at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) covering cybersecurity, InsurTech, marijuana, transportation, and innovation issues. There he represented both small and large financial institutions and navigated pressing industry, regulatory, and congressional issues. He also navigated major dynamics between the U.S. and the European Union.
Wes served as a senior policy advisor for 12 years on Capitol Hill, most recently as senior policy advisor to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) on financial services, energy, commerce, science and technology, and natural resources issues. He was responsible for coordinating policy and ushering numerous pieces of legislation through the Congress. Additionally, he served as staff lead for the House Energy Action Team.
Before joining Leader McCarthy's staff, McClelland served as senior policy advisor to Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.) advising the House Financial Services Committee member during the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform debate and legislation. In addition, he previously served as legislative assistant to former Ways and Means chairman Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.).
Wes holds Bachelor degrees in electrical and biomedical engineering from Duke University and a Master's Degree in economics from the University of Kansas. A California native, he splits his time between San Diego, California and Washington, DC.