News

Michael Best Strategies LLC (Strategies) is pleased to announce that Partners Denise Bode, Tami Jackson Buckner, and Sarah Helton have been named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists 2022 list. The list highlights those ‘who leveraged their expertise and connections to make a difference in the nation’s capital this year.’

Bode, who leads the firm’s federal policy practice, has more than 30 years of experience in trade association and coalition management, and public policy strategy development at both the state and federal level. Bode has been heavily involved in the energy policy debate and established the American Clean Skies Foundation to educate and advocate the use of natural gas to create a sustainable energy future. She was also elected for two terms state-wide in Oklahoma and served as the energy and utility industry’s principal regulator as Chair and Commissioner of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Bode received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, J.D. from George Mason University School of Law, and Masters of Law in Taxation from Georgetown University.

Buckner has more than two-and-a-half decades of experience assisting businesses and organization with government relations and federal policy matters. Her career has encompassed developing legislative and regulatory policy strategies on issues ranging from agriculture, food, and nutrition to energy and the environment sectors for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to joining Strategies, she worked at Waste Management in Washington, D.C. and also served in corporate leadership roles in government and public affairs at Kraft Foods Group, The Coca-Cola Company, and DuPont. This is her third consecutive year being named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyists list. Buckner received her B.S. in Political Science and Business Administration from Hampton University and a M.A. in Public Policy, magna cum laude, from Clark Atlanta University.

Helton leads Michael Best Strategies’ procurement practice and co-leads Michael Best’s trade practice. Within her role, she helps clients navigate the federal government by developing and implementing legislative and regulatory strategies that create market opportunities and mitigate challenges. Her policy practice includes procurement, trade, technology, privacy, education, and labor. Prior to joining Michael Best Strategies, Sarah served as Regulatory Counsel at ASTM International. In this role, Helton supported the Office Global Policy and Industry Affairs on legal, legislative, and regulatory matters. Helton received a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law.