Tallahassee, FL – The Southern Group is excited to announce the addition of Shannan Boxold – a veteran lobbyist and government relations expert, who has a passion for state and local transportation policy.
Shannan’s route to The Southern Group has taken her through law firms, politics, and consulting firms, but most important to her was time spent at the highest levels of the Florida Department of Transportation, especially working closely with Rachel Cone, now managing partner at The Southern Group. It was at FDOT that she became captivated by transportation issues, which will be her focus area at The Southern Group.
“Shannan is a true pro, and I know first-hand, she will do whatever it takes to win for clients,” said Rachel Cone, Managing Partner of The Southern Group’s Tallahassee Office and former cohort of Boxold’s at FDOT. “It’s one thing to have knowledge of and relationships with leadership in FDOT’s Tallahassee office, but it is quite another to have that same level of insight into every decentralized district office acr
oss the state.”
“Our entire team has been impressed with her deep knowledge of not just transportation issues, but a wide range of regulatory issues that impact clients in every industry,” said Paul Bradshaw, chairman and founder of The Southern Group. “We are very excited to have her aboard the pirate ship.”
The bulk of Shannan’s professional experience comes from her time at the Florida Department of Transportation, where she spent more than 6 years in a variety of capacities. She started as a legislative assistant and then a quick succession of promotions ensued. She was named Deputy Legislative Affairs Director and then was promoted to Legislative Affairs Director.
A year later, she moved up again, to the position of Chief of Staff to the Secretary of FDOT, where she assisted with the supervision of 6,200 employees and managing the department’s $10 billion annual budget. Shannan also served as the liaison between FDOT and other governmental partners to advance transportation projects. One of Shannan’s proudest accomplishments during her time at FDOT is helping to pass the agency’s legislative package two years in a row – a back-to-back feat that had never been done previously.
“During Shannan’s time working at FDOT, she built lasting relationships across the department,” said Ananth Prasad, P.E., former FDOT secretary and current president of Florida Transportation Builders Association. “For the last several years, she has helped clients bring tremendous value to the department, build their businesses, and strengthen their brands. I am confident her success will only continue at The Southern Group.”
In 2019, she moved over to the private sector to work as a principal for the Fiorentino Group in Tallahassee. Boxold is also active in WTS International, an organization dedicated to the advancement of women in the transportation industry, and is a member of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists.
“Shannan is a rare talent and a good friend. She’s helped advance transportation in Florida for many years and been a wonderful asset to her clients. I know she will continue to do great things in her new role at The Southern Group,” said Ron Howse, P.E., chairman of the Florida Transportation Commission.
Shannan lives in Tallahassee with her husband Jim and their three dogs.