RALEIGH — A bipartisan team of well-known lobbyists and public affairs professionals launched a new government relations firm on Monday, Dec. 4.
The new firm, Checkmate Government Relations, will begin with five partners and an initial staff of seven. The new firm brings a combined 70 years of experience across government, law, regulatory agencies and political campaigns. The staff worked together previously at KTS Strategies.
Checkmate says their goal is to be “the most versatile, well-rounded firm based in North Carolina,” and one key aspect of their practice will be to blend its state and federal advocacy together.
According to a release from the firm, their client roster will include clients from the financial services, health care, transportation, gaming, agriculture, technology and energy sectors. They will also represent local governments and trade associations.
Checkmate’s managing partner is Charles F. “Ches” McDowell IV, one of North State Journal’s top lobbyists from North Carolina. He has consistently been rated as one of North Carolina’s top lobbyists and has built a reputation for results among the state’s legislators.
“We believe we’re the most versatile and well-rounded government relations firm based in North Carolina,” said McDowell in statement Monday. “The Checkmate team brings unique expertise, unparalleled relationships, and unmatched work ethic to solve the most complex public policy challenges. From opening to middlegame to endgame, we make sure our clients get to the outcome they need.”
He began his career with North Carolina Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Eden) and was a law clerk for David M. Warren at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
McDowell focuses primarily on the General Assembly and North Carolina’s Congressional delegation with clients in an array of industries.
He has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in 2023-24 for government relations and was selected by Triad Business Journal as one of its “40 Under 40″ in 2021.
Joining Checkmate as a partner and chief operating officer is Nelson Freeman, who has also been selected by North State Journal’s annual survey as a top lobbyist in the state.
Freeman has represented clients in the General Assembly, the state’s executive branch and before Congress. His policy expertise includes financial services, emerging technology and energy.
He previously worked as a tax policy advisor for the N.C. Speaker of the House and a legislative liaison for the state’s Department of Revenue. Freeman also worked nearly a decade for Safari Club International, a membership advocacy organization in Washington, D.C.
Checkmate’s other partners are Fritz Vaughan, Hampton Billips and Lauren Henderson.
Vaughan has two decades of experience in federal affairs and state executives in multiple states. He previously worked in government as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Senior Counsel for the Committee on Financial Services of the U.S. House of Representatives, Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House, and as a judicial clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Billips and Henderson primarily focus on the General Assembly.
A former staff member for Sen. Harry Brown (R-Onslow) and N.C. State defensive lineman, Billips advises clients’ state budget requests.
Henderson, a former chemist, has a deep background in earth sciences, biology and chemistry. She helps the firm’s practice on matters relating to health care, biotechnology, agricultural and environmental issues.
Rounding out the firm’s staff are John Easterling, who will be a government relations director and senior policy advisor and Ali Briggs, who will be a government relations advisor.
A current member of the Scotland County planning board, Easterling has been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to a number of statewide boards and commissions in the last several years.
Checkmate will have offices in Winston-Salem and Raleigh.
