TALLAHASSEE-- Bryant Miller Olive (BMO) Managing Partner Randy Hanna announced Monday morning that the long-established Florida law firm has hired Kathy Baughman McLeod as the firm's new Director of Public Strategy. Baughman McLeod most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.

As Director of Public Strategy, Baughman McLeod will develop and manage the Public Policy Group (PPG).  Through the PPG, Baughman McLeod will lead a consulting team that helps clients:

"We are proud to add a talented and experienced leader like Kathy to our team of governmental, business, and legal experts," said Hanna.  "With close to 15 years of leading public policy efforts in Florida, Kathy is uniquely qualified to help us launch the Public Policy Group, an exciting new business service for our clients."

"In the new economy, Florida businesses and governments need a trusted advisor to help them implement effective public and financial policy," said Baughman McLeod.  "I'm honored to join the prestigious team at Bryant Miller Olive, and I look forward to working with Florida’s business leaders to meet the challenges of an evolving and complex landscape."

As CFO Sink's Deputy Chief of Staff, Baughman McLeod led policy development, legislative and cabinet affairs, and communications for the first two years of Sink's administration.  She specialized in a number of financial and insurance-related issues, which include but are not limited to: the state's property insurance challenges and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, Florida Healthy Kids program, and the Florida Treasury.

In addition, Baughman McLeod helped implement several key policies in the area of climate change, focusing on financial and risk impacts to business. As the sole Florida delegate, she attended the United Nations Climate Change conference in Bali, Indonesia in 2007, orchestrated partnerships with the British and Dutch governments on the financial aspects of climate change adaptation strategies, and is an advisor to the United Nations Foundation Investor Summit on Climate Risk.

Additionally, Baughman McLeod is Governor Charlie Crist’s appointee to the Florida Energy and Climate Commission.  As a commissioner, Baughman McLeod is part of a nine-member Board that helps guide Florida's future energy policies.

Prior to her senior leadership role with CFO Sink, Baughman McLeod worked in environmental finance in private, public, and non-profit settings.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and a Master of Science in Geography, both from Florida State University.  Baughman McLeod is a graduate and board member of Leadership Florida.