Billy Boan 

Billy Boan served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1982 to 1999. During that time, he served 12 years on the House Ways and Means Committee, including two terms as Chairman. Billy also served four years as a member of the Budget and Control Board and 10 years as a member of the Joint Bond Review Committee, the state’s capital infrastructure planning and authorization committee.

Billy left the House of Representatives in 1999 to join the administration of Governor Jim Hodges, serving first as Budget and Legislative Director and later as Chief of Staff for three years. Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Billy also served as chief operating officer of Hodges Consulting Group.

Billy brings incredible insight and knowledge of the state budgetary and legislative process to MWC South Carolina. Billy has developed strong relationships with key lawmakers and staff members. These relationships are instrumental in assisting clients with their government affairs goals.

  Brian Flynn, Executive Director

Brian serves as the Executive Director and has an experience on a range of issues including energy, transportation, pharmaceutical, alcohol, retail and non-profit advocacy. Brian has helped pass legislation related to emerging transportation, alcoholic beverage control laws and the energy industry. He has extensive experience in developing and implementing comprehensive government, grassroots and public affairs strategies.

Brian has also worked on a number of political and grassroots campaigns, and worked for Congressman Joe Wilson in his district office. Upon graduation from The Citadel, Brian took a commission in the Army as a Military Intelligence Officer. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 1-178th Field Artillery Battalion and served as the unit’s Tactical Intelligence Officer. He is currently a Captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard and serves as the legislative liaison.

Brian lives in Columbia with his wife, where they are raising their two daughters.

 Amber Barnes, Events

Amber manages association events and assists with legislative tracking and monitoring, lobbying, events, and association management.  Amber previously served as the director of government relations for the South Carolina Bankers Association. In that capacity, she coordinated the organization’s lobbying and legislative efforts at the state and federal level. Amber is also a former intern of the Hodges Consulting Group, which was headed by former South Carolina Governor and MWC Senior Advisor Jim Hodges.

  Sara Vernon

Sara assists with legislative tracking and monitoring, lobbying, events, and association management. Sara previously worked for the SC Association of Realtors as their director of political affairs.  In that capacity, she managed the SC Realtors Political Action Committee Board of Trustees, fundraising, finances, disbursements, ethics reporting, independent expenditure campaigns, and public policy campaigns.  Prior to that she served as executive assistant/scheduler to U.S. Congressman Tom Rice in Washington, DC.  Her previous experience also includes campaign fundraising for multiple members of the SC General Assembly and members of Congress.  Sara recently received her MBA at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.