TEAM / Andrew Yates

Andrew Yates brings a wealth of strategic and legislative experience to The Southern Group’s South Carolina office, where he specializes in coalition development, appropriations strategy, policy design, and multi-level stakeholder engagement. His expertise centers on what he refers to as “the three E’s”: energy, economic, and education policy. Within the economic sphere, Andrew is particularly known for his ability to cultivate strong, enduring partnerships between public and private sector leaders—a skill that consistently positions his clients for long-term success and influence.

Prior to joining Southern, Andrew served as President of ALEC Action, where he led legislative initiatives in all 50 states. In this role, he successfully built and managed high-impact alliances between private and public sector leaders, advancing more than 1,000 model policies and shaping significant state-level reforms across the country.

His national portfolio also includes his tenure as Government Affairs Director at Yes. Every Kid, where he was responsible for legislative strategy, policy development, and relationship management across the country. There, Andrew played a central role in shaping education reform efforts, managing appropriations strategy, and advancing key policy objectives in collaboration with lawmakers and advocacy partners.

Earlier in his career, Andrew held senior leadership positions with Americans for Prosperity and served as Partner at Sherlock Strategy Group, a South Carolina-based government affairs firm focused on high-stakes public policy and advocacy campaigns. Through these roles, he built a reputation as a trusted advisor to elected officials, agency leaders, and mission-driven organizations across the state.

Andrew earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Communication Studies, from Clemson University.

Andrew resides in his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, with his wife, Lauren, and their two daughters.