Ohio River South Welcomes Former Gwinnett State Senator Don Balfour to Leadership Team

Former Dean of the State Senate Don Balfour and Former Public Affairs Lead for the US Department of Energy Andy Beck Join Fast-Growing, Southern-Focused Firm

Published by the Gwinnett Daily Post | February 25, 2025

Ohio River South (ORS), a southern-focused public affairs and government relations firm, announced the addition of two accomplished executives to its leadership team. Don Balfour and Andy Beck both join ORS as Executive Vice Presidents, bolstering the firm’s reach and relationships for federal and multi-state engagements as it expands to Washington, DC.

“Andy and Don bring tremendous expertise and credibility to the firm. Their experience in public affairs, government relations, and corporate strategy will be tremendous assets to our growing roster of clients,” said Howard Franklin, founder and CEO of Ohio River South. “I am confident that they will enhance our ability to deliver exceptional results at every level of government and across a wide array of industries and geographies.”

Balfour’s Legacy in Gwinnett County and Beyond

Don Balfour joins Ohio River South as Executive Vice President of Government Relations. He was the longest-serving Republican in the Georgia State Senate, where he chaired influential committees like Rules and Reapportionment and shepherded landmark legislation into law, including property tax freezes and eminent domain reforms.

Balfour represented Gwinnett County for more than 20 years and was the highest ranking state official representing the county. During his tenure, he passed the law establishing Georgia Gwinnett College and helped secure $250 million to grow the college to ten thousand students in only ten years. Additionally, Balfour helped establish the first open-heart surgery program in Gwinnett County when he worked with Gwinnett Medical Center to obtain the right to perform open-heart surgery.

Balfour will lead Ohio River South’s multistate practice. He built a national network encompassing dozens of states and every level of government while serving as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), chairing the State Suggested Legislation Committee for the Council of State Governments (CSG), and holding multiple posts within the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Additionally, Balfour served as an executive with Waffle House for over 25 years, where he honed his expertise in business operations and economic strategy.

“My tenure at Ohio River South enables me to continue my life’s work of fostering relationships and driving meaningful outcomes across private industry and public policy,” said Balfour. “This firm’s mission of empowering clients while improving communities aligns perfectly with my passion for connecting public and private interests.”

Andy Beck Expands ORS’s National Public Affairs Practice

Andy Beck joined Ohio River South as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications. He will lead the firm’s communications practice from its Washington DC office. He spent the past 25 years delivering results for public and private sector clients in the nation’s capital including senior roles with the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he led national campaigns on transportation, energy and sustainability.

Andy successfully managed multimillion dollar client portfolios and provided strategic guidance to market leaders including Amazon, Google, Pfizer, Ford, and Lockheed Martin. He also led strategic communications for George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns, helping deliver victories in battleground states, before working as an advisor on President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, where he managed messaging strategies and surrogate outreach.

“Joining Ohio River South affords me the opportunity to collaborate with an exceptional team to help clients achieve meaningful outcomes,” said Andy Beck. “I’m excited to apply my experience in public affairs, government relations and political strategy to deliver results that drive success for clients and create positive change for communities and companies alike.”

A Major Expansion for ORS

Establishing a Washington, DC office and expanding its team represents a major milestone in Ohio River South’s evolution, extending its bipartisan reach and relationships for clients to the nation’s capital. Learn more about Don and Andy’s professional accomplishments and backgrounds at: ohioriversouth.com/our-team.

About Ohio River South

Ohio River South is an advocacy firm working at the highest levels of the public and private sectors across the American South. Specializing in lobbying, strategic communications and business partnerships, ORS has helped hundreds of clients score legislative wins, drive public perception, and launch innovative P3 projects across multiple southern states. For more information about how Ohio River South builds bridges across sectors and influences hard-to-reach decision makers, visit ohioriversouth.com.