Chris Chaney joins nationally recognized lobbying firm

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners today announced Chris Chaney is joining the firm. The announcement comes following Chaney’s service as Legislative Affairs Director at Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, where he gained first-hand knowledge of the new health care market place at the highest level of state government.

“Florida, like many states, is facing budgetary challenges along with difficult decisions on health care policy. There are many stakeholders impacted by the strategic decisions being made now and in the future,” said Al Cardenas, senior partner of The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners with lobbying offices in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.  “Our firm understands these challenges and to better serve our clients, we are very pleased to announce that Chris Chaney is joining our firm effective January29, 2014. We are confident that Chris will be a major contributor to the health care debate in our state.”

During his tenure at AHCA, Chaney ran point on policy and appropriation issues before state lawmakers, including the licensure and regulation of all health care facilities in Florida and operation of Florida’s Medicaid program. He played a key role in drafting legislation and developing the agency’s legislative package. Chaney worked toensure passage of several major reform initiatives, most notably, the revolutionary Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program. Chaney also spent time as the acting chief of staff, where he helped the secretary manage AHCA’s 1,600employees and $24 billion operating budget. As chief of staff, Chaney oversaw legislative, communications and external affairs.

“I am honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the people of our state in my role at AHCA,” said Chaney. “I look forward to opening a new chapter as I join one of Florida’s most respected and influential lobbying firms.”

Prior to working at AHCA, Chaney was an advisor to then Governor-Elect Rick Scott.  As a member of Scott’s Health and Human Services Transition Team, Chaney was responsible for identifying talent for executive level service at AHCA, the Department of Health, the Department of Elder Affairs and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

About The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners

TAGCP advocate on behalf of clients representing a broad array of interests, including blue chip Fortune100 & 500 companies such as Anheuser Busch, AT&T, Duke Energy, Marriott and PGA of America. They represent statewide trade associations, such as the Florida Realtors, Florida Carpenters Regional Council, and the Associated Industries of Florida. In the government sector, they represent several city and county municipalities.  TAGCP’s work earned them a spot on Florida Trend magazine’s list of Florida’s top lobbying firms in 2013.

Cardenas Partners is a strategic partnership of two offices, The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners (TAGCP)in Tallahassee and Cardenas Partners DC (CPDC)in Washington. The firms represent, advise, and advocate for a wide array of clients, including domestic and international companies, federal, state, and local government.

The team is comprised of professionals with vast experience across industries including aviation, communications, construction, education, energy, financial services, food and beverage, hospitality, immigration, real estate development, retail, and pharmaceuticals. For additional information, please visit www.CardenasPartners.com.