Leadership

Dr. Jeffrey Sharkey
President
jeffrey@www.mmbafl.com

Taylor Patrick Biehl
Policy Director
taylor@www.mmbafl.com

106 E. College Avenue, Suite 640
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Ph: 850-224-1925

Dr. Jeffrey Sharkey

Dr. Jeffrey Sharkey is the Managing Partner of the Capitol Alliance Group, with over 25 years of lobbying experience in addition to 6 years of employment in senior positions in the Executive and Legislative branches of Florida Government. His lobbying expertise includes advanced technologies, education, intermodal transportation, economic development, insurance, entertainment, local government infrastructure funding, growth management, public finance, and ad valorem taxation.

Dr. Sharkey is widely known for his extensive knowledge of the legislative process, particularly finance and tax and the appropriations process. With over two decades of government relations, public affairs, and business consulting under his belt, he has built a network of trusted relationships throughout the highest levels of state government. His entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving, high ethical standards, and a strong commitment to professionalism, coupled with his creative approach to resolving issues and dedication to keeping his client’s interests at the forefront of the firm’s activities, have made him one of the most highly regarded lobbyists in Florida. He, and the professionals in his firm, believe that accomplishing client goals is the result of detailed research, strategic planning, clear communication, hard work, and unrelenting determination to succeed.

In addition, Dr. Sharkey has been actively involved in statewide issue campaigns for over twenty years, providing him rare insight into the politics and an ability to shape successful community development projects. He has been successful in creating, mobilizing, and evaluating public policy issues and trends to position his clients to prepare and take advantage of new challenges and opportunities occurring in the arenas of state and local governments. He is ultimately familiar with the dynamics created when local, state, and national politics intersect with the desire to shape public policy in the local, Legislative, or Executive branches of government.

Dr. Sharkey held various positions in state government before launching his public policy advocacy career. He has been Director of International Education for the State of Florida, Special Advisor to the Governor for International Affairs, and Director of the Florida Hemispheric Policy Studies Center. He began his professional career as a teacher and school administrator and has worked in England, Thailand, Latin America, and other parts of the world as a consultant for various international agencies.

In addition, Dr. Sharkey is an entrepreneur and owns several successful businesses. He is a native of Minnesota, holds a B.S. degree in English, an M.Ed. in Educational Research from the University of MN, an M.S. in Sociology and Economics, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University in Educational Policy Foundations and International Development.

Taylor Patrick Biehl

Taylor Patrick Biehl is the Policy Director for the MMBAFL. A Brevard County native, Mr. Biehl received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida. After graduation, he served as the Special Projects Coordinator to Public Concepts, LLC, conducting a detailed analysis of precincts and voter trends, developing political messages, and assisting in the successful campaign of Ronda Storms for State Senator. Mr. Biehl has served as the Special Assistant to State Senator Mike Haridopolos and afterward served as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, where he led a successful lobbying campaign implementing the association’s agenda. Taylor has represented the interests of the largest Fortune 500 companies, including UPS, Tenet Healthcare, Kaplan (a subsidiary of the Washington Post), and Pearson Education.

Upon becoming President of the Senate, Mike Haridopolos tapped Mr. Biehl to assist with policy and constituent issues. Subsequently, Taylor joined the Senate Community Affairs Committee, where he served as an analyst. With 10 years of direct legislative experience with major appropriations issues and a concentrated focus on local governance, property taxation, and agency regulation issues, he has proven himself to be a tireless advocate for client interests. In addition to legislative issues management, he has developed excellent relations with the state agency management leadership and interfaces regularly with the agency Secretaries to ensure that clients have access to top decision-makers. Mr. Biehl is responsible for mobilizing legislation and communicating with legislators and agency representatives on the needs of our members.

What We Do

MMBAFL is focused on the following:

• Provide a forum for policy makers, industry leaders, healthcare providers, and patients to support consumer safety and access to Medical Marijuana for qualifying medical conditions. 
• Provide advocacy on behalf of the industry, supporting rational regulatory solutions to ensure safety, foster innovation and expand industry-related opportunities.  
• Provide networking opportunities and up-to-date news relating to advocacy, emerging markets, business expansion opportunities, and industry innovation.