The $7.5 Million Quarter: 5 Shocking Facts About Capital City Consulting LLC's Dominance In Florida Politics
Capital City Consulting LLC (CCC), a name synonymous with legislative power in the Sunshine State, continues its unprecedented financial and political dominance. As of today, December 20, 2025, the firm has solidified its position as one of Florida's top three lobbying organizations, leveraging deep political relationships and policy expertise to secure massive contracts and shape critical state legislation.
The firm’s recent financial disclosures reveal an astonishing surge in revenue, setting a new benchmark for Florida lobbying. This article dives deep into the firm's structure, the key players who steer its influence, the major clients they represent, and the most controversial legislative pushes that have captured headlines in the 2024–2025 legislative sessions.
The Architects of Influence: Key Personnel and Firm Biography
Founded in 2003, Capital City Consulting LLC was established with the goal of building a public affairs organization with equal strength in policy, politics, and communications. The firm operates out of its Tallahassee headquarters, with additional strategic offices in Tampa, Miami, and a newly expanded presence in West Palm Beach.
The firm's success is directly tied to its team of veteran lobbyists, many of whom previously held high-level government positions within the Florida legislative and executive branches.
Complete Profile of Capital City Consulting LLC's Founding and Key Partners:
- Nick Iarossi (Co-Founder): A founding member since 2003 and a central figure, Iarossi has over two decades of experience working on local, state, and federal government policy issues.
- Ron LaFace Jr. (Co-Founder): A lawyer by training, LaFace is a co-founder whose expertise lies in assisting clients with shaping and navigating complex legislation.
- Gerald Wester (Co-Founder): A veteran lobbyist who helped establish the firm in 2003, focusing on building the organization's comprehensive public affairs strategy.
- Pat O'Connell (Co-Founder): A veteran lobbyist who co-founded the firm but has since retired, contributing to the firm's initial foundation.
- Jared Rosenstein (Partner): A key Partner and top lobbyist, known for his political consulting acumen within the firm.
- Brian May (Partner): Another influential Partner who brings extensive experience as a lobbyist and political consultant to the CCC team.
- Scott Ross (Lobbyist/Consultant): Uses his legal and government background to advise and lobby for various regulated entities across both the legislative and executive branches.
Fact 1: The Record-Breaking Financial Powerhouse of 2025
Capital City Consulting has consistently ranked among the top lobbying firms in Florida, but the most recent financial reports highlight a new level of influence. The firm collected a staggering $6.87 million in lobbying compensation during the closing quarter of 2024.
This upward trend accelerated into the new year. In the first quarter of 2025, CCC reported a new high, clearing $7.55 million in earnings.
This record-setting performance firmly secures their "iron grip" on the No. 3 spot in Florida's competitive lobbying landscape. The firm's legislative lobbying revenues alone surpassed $3.55 million in the final quarter of 2024, demonstrating their success in the Florida House and Florida Senate.
The firm’s executive lobbying arm also saw massive success, with one of the most lucrative contracts being a $76,000 deal to represent Horne LLP, a major professional services firm.
Fact 2: The Controversial Citadel Bill and Non-Compete Clauses
One of the most high-profile and controversial issues Capital City Consulting has been involved in is the push to extend non-compete clauses for certain high-level employees. This legislative effort is directly tied to one of CCC's most powerful clients: the billionaire-run hedge fund, Citadel.
Citadel, led by CEO Ken Griffin, has used CCC’s lobbying expertise to champion a bill that would allow non-compete agreements and "garden leaves" to be extended up to four years in Florida.
A "garden leave" refers to the period where a departing employee is paid but prohibited from working for a competitor. The proposed four-year duration is significantly longer than typical industry standards and has sparked significant debate regarding labor mobility and the state's business environment. This case perfectly illustrates how CCC leverages its access to shape policy for its elite, high-paying clients in the financial lobbying sector.
Fact 3: The 5 Pillars of CCC's Legislative Dominance
Capital City Consulting's influence extends across a broad spectrum of policy areas, allowing them to represent nearly 200 clients in the Legislature alone. Their expertise is concentrated in several key areas, establishing them as a full-service public affairs firm.
The firm’s five main pillars of legislative focus include:
- Civil Justice Reform (Tort Reform): CCC is deeply immersed in Florida’s tort reform efforts, representing clients seeking to expose inequities in the state's legal liability system. They were instrumental in the passage of the most significant legal liability reform bill in a generation under the Legislature.
- Healthcare: The firm successfully lobbies for major healthcare entities, including the Safety Net Hospital of Florida, to secure full legislative funding and work with agencies like the Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA).
- Criminal Justice: Representing some of Florida’s largest sheriff’s offices, CCC engages in a vast array of criminal justice issues at the legislative level, including policy changes affecting law enforcement and corrections.
- Insurance & Financial Services: Beyond the Citadel controversy, CCC is a major player in the insurance and financial sectors, advising regulated entities on compliance and legislative strategy.
- Appropriations and Budget: Leveraging their deep political ties, the firm specializes in securing state appropriations for a wide range of clients, from corporate giants to local government entities.
Fact 4: The Power of the Client Portfolio
The breadth and quality of Capital City Consulting’s client list are a testament to their political clout and effectiveness. Their client portfolio includes major corporations, specialized industry groups, and powerful political organizations.
A Selection of Capital City Consulting's Major Clients (2024–2025):
- Citadel: The multi-strategy hedge fund pushing for extended non-compete agreements.
- 3M Company: A global technology and consumer goods conglomerate.
- The GEO Group: A major private corrections and detention management company.
- Safety Net Hospital of Florida: Representing public and non-profit healthcare interests in funding and regulatory matters.
- Samsara Inc.: A leader in the industrial IoT (Internet of Things) sector.
- AAM Vertiports Florida LLC: Focused on the emerging aviation and transportation infrastructure.
- Horne LLP: A top professional services firm with a lucrative executive contract.
- Miami-Dade County: CCC has secured agreements to provide governmental representation and consulting services for local government issues, including seaport and airport issues.
Fact 5: Recognition and Regional Expansion
Capital City Consulting’s consistent success has not gone unnoticed by industry observers. The firm was recently named “Lobbying Firm of the Year” by *Influence Magazine*, a high honor that reflects its standing among political insiders.
Furthermore, CCC has been strategically expanding its geographical footprint to better serve its growing and diverse clientele. The recent expansion into Palm Beach with a new office, led by prominent local figures, signifies a calculated move to capture more high-value markets beyond the traditional Tallahassee, Tampa, and Miami centers of influence. This regional focus ensures they maintain access to political leaders at all levels of government, solidifying their status as a top-tier public affairs and consulting firm.
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