Ben M. Donaldson
Biography
Ben is a creative and driven problem solver with more than 20 years of experience advocating for clients’ interests in the public and private sectors. Highly skilled in breaking down barriers and cutting through red tape in the pursuit of positive results, Ben has masterful knowledge of the political, bureaucratic, and municipal processes to help clients navigate the complexities of these landscapes so they can achieve their goals.
Ben has extensive experience and respected relationships with elected officials and administrative professionals across federal, state, and local levels of government. He has a successful track record of representing clients in tort reform, equine industries, labor and employment matters, the energy sector, gaming, pharmacy risk, opioid awareness and recovery, health care, banking regulations, and many other areas of law and business.
Over the course of his career, Ben has worked closely with local, state, and federal government officials in shaping and informing successful opioid legislation in Kentucky, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas, as well as substance abuse and recovery treatment legislation H.R. 6 with former President Donald J. Trump. Ben served under Congressman Andy Barr on the Kentucky opioid task force, and he spearheaded work in Kentucky alongside Senator Ralph A. Alvarado, Senator Alice Forgy Kerr, and other leadership to help pass the first law on prescription opioid awareness and education.
Ben is actively involved with numerous legislative and business committees and initiatives related to the interests of his clients. He has served on the Congressional Legislative Equine committee, worked closely with the American Banking Association, and served as president of the Kentucky Bankers Association where he supported the passage of beneficial banking regulations at both the state and federal level.
Earlier in his career, Ben worked on several gubernatorial and congressional campaigns for Governor Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky, Governor Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, and Governor Donald Sundquist of Tennessee.
Ben graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He also earned a certificate in Government Affairs and U.S. policy from Harvard University while seeking a Master’s in Business Administration.
Ben is a member of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists (FAPL), the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE), and the National Association of State Lobbyists (NASL). He served on the Community Activity Board for American University, and the Board of Directors of nonprofit Healing on Saddles. He is a former Advisory Board member for Infina Connect, former Board Member for Equine Medical Technology, former Board Member for Smart Link Medical, and former Board Member for the Kentucky Equine Center.
Ben lives in Ocala, Florida, with his wife Suzanne, and they have six children and three grandchildren. When Ben is not working on client and lobbying matters, he enjoys working on his farm, playing golf, fishing, and riding horses.
Credentials
Education
- M.B.A., Harvard University (in progress)
- Certificate, Government Affairs and U.S. Policy, Harvard University
- B.S.; Business Administration and Management, General; Freed-Hardeman University
Memberships
- Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists (FAPL)
- National Association of State Lobbyists (NASL)
- National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE)
- American University, Community Activity Board, Member (former)
- Equine Medical Technology, Board Member (former)
- Healing on Saddles, Board of Directors, Member (former)
- Infina Connect, Advisory Board Member (former)
- Kentucky Equine Center, Board Member (former)
- Smart Link Medical, Board Member (former)