Kevin Martin was born and raised in Virginia and had no particular interest in politics as a child. Following in the footsteps of several members of his family who had pursued scientific endeavors, he enrolled at the University of Virginia and took a course in pre-medicine to eventually work in the medical field. Kevin had a heart for service and wanted to help make a difference in people's lives. He did not pursue medicine though and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology.

After college, Kevin stayed with his grandparents. Kevin did a few different things; ran a movie theater and worked in the restaurant industry until he got into the oil and gas industry. Those early experiences taught him a lot about people. Everywhere that Kevin had been, he always wanted to do his best and see what he could learn from the experience that had been put before him.

How did he transition to become a lobbyist for the energy industry?

What does he like most in his current role as a lobbyist?

These are some of the questions Kevin Martin will answer as he shares his journey in this new episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Demetrius grew up in a small town called Conway in the North eastern  part of North Carolina. He hated Math which drove him to history and  debate classes. Seeing his deep interest in those classes, his high  school teacher inspired Demetrius to get into Political Science.  Demetrius' parents chose Elizabeth City State University as they had  offered free tuition based on his academic merit. 

After scoring straight  A's in college, he applied for a legislative internship program at NC  state. He and his parents were ecstatic when he was admitted into the  program and that started his passion for government relations.   

How does Demetrius feel about minorities getting involved in government  relations? 

Demetrius also says "Your current situation does not have to be your  final destination". Why does he state that?  

Here's Demetrius in the next episode of State lobbying heroes podcast.

Alexina Arthur was born and raised in Asheville. A mountain girl at heart,  Lexi was into hiking, fishing amongst other outdoor activities during  her childhood. She also played a lot of sports - tennis, basketball,  golf to name a few. Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs including  her parents, Lexi pursued a business degree from Appalachian University.  

After graduation, she took a brief hiatus to travel to Europe with her  older brother. Naturally inclined to learning and curiosity, she wanted  to pursue an MBA or a Law degree.  

What triggered her career into government relations?  

What role did mentors have in her career?  

How does she feel about running her own government relations agency?  

Here is Alexina Arthur on the next episode of State lobbying heroes.

Ed Schafer grew up in South Carolina, his dad (also his role model) was a county administrator. Growing up Ed was not particularly inclined to politics. As a people person, Ed loved Psychology so joined The Citadel to get his Bachelors in Biology and Psychology. After graduating, he backpacked around Europe and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ed came back from Europe and wanted to become a Hospital Administrator. The best path Ed decided was to earn a Law Degree in Health Law. 

What happened after he joined School of Law, Univ of South Carolina? 

When did he switch to Government relations and why?

Why does he have a passion for disability rights?

What wisdom Ed would like to share to upcoming lobbyists?

Let's join Ed's personal journey in this next episode of State lobbying heroes.

Bruce Thompson II was born and raised in Greenville, North Carolina. Inspired by his hero, Jimmy Carter, he double majored in politics and religion from Wake Forest University. After graduating, Bruce went back to Wake Forest fund raising for the Law school for a couple of years and eventually getting his Law degree. Join us in this next episode - Bruce shares his interests in music, playing the guitar and his passion to teach youngsters about government relations.

Susan Gaddy, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, stepped into the  world of politics at the age of 15 for a senate campaign. Her dad was a  lawyer and her mother NC realtor. Susan says her entrepreneurial drive  to run her attorney firm is from her parents. She has been a capital  fund raiser for decades and is now actively running for office.  What are her plans for fighting inflation? How will she improve the lives of the NC residents? Who is Susan's role model?  Let's listen in to Susan's journey and her race to the senate.

Fred Bone grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Fred's father was a 2-term legislator and mother was in Education. During summers, Fred was working on a farm while the rest of the kids were at summer camps. He went to college at NC State for his Bachelors in Chemistry as he was very much interested in Science. Due to his father's strong political career, Fred got inspired to work for the DOT, as a House page and for the sergeant-at-arms staff until the age of 20. After graduating from college, Fred worked for Department of Environment for 12 years based on his Chemistry background. 

What triggered Fred into the world of lobbying from that point?

What myth Fred would like to bust about lobbying?

What little secret Fred has which very few of us know about him?

Let's tune in to Fred's experiences and wisdom in this next episode of state lobbying heroes podcast.

Why do people do what they do? What moves us and motivates us? John  Nash, Executive Director of the Arc of North Carolina, tells us his  experiences in this next episode.   John Nash grew up in Central California on a 11-acre rural farm. His  father was History and Political Science professor. So as a kid, he  watched every convention and gained his first exposure to current events  (although he preferred watching cartoons). John first ventured into  Chemical Engineering major degree but realized Calculus & Chemistry  were not his strengths. He instead tried International Relations and he  found it far more interesting. What happened next in his career and  personal life that made him move to North Carolina? What is the goal of  the Arc of North Carolina organization, where John is currently working?    Let's learn about John's journey into Advocacy.

Chris Wall grew up in Winston-Salem North Carolina. He graduated with an accounting degree at University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Chris went on to work as an accountant for this first job but quickly realized that Accounting was definitely not his career path. He then worked for his dad who was a serial entrepreneur but Chris did not like that job either. Around this time, his brother-in-law who was working at the Capitol Hill invited him to move to D.C. Chris started as an intern in Nov 2002 at the congressional office in D.C. and fell in love with the work. 

What did he learn about D.C. politics and processes?

Would he recommend going to D.C. to get started in government relations?

Why did he move back to NC?

On the personal side, if he had a choice to pick 3 famous personalities, who would he have dinner with?

Let's explore into the lobbying career and personal story of Chris Wall in this next episode of State Lobbying Heroes.

Happy new year. Hope you and your family are all safe. This new year we  are kicking the podcast off with a special interview with 3  distinguished guests. Heather Smith, Wanda Crotwell, Earl Hunter from  Southern Group, Columbia. Heather and Earl earned degrees in Journalism and Marine Science respectively from the University of South Carolina. Wanda started with a Journalism degree from University of South Carolina but transferred to earn an English major from Clemson University. Are there any other commonalities in their career paths to lead them to  lobbying? What would Earl be if he wasn't a lobbyist? What is Wanda's  favorite hobby? Does Heather have any role models in life?   We explore all of these personal topics and more in the next episode of  State Lobbying Heroes.