TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

Trusted Advisors. Innovative Leaders. Experienced Professionals.

WHO WE ARE

Founded within Ancient Greece in the 4th Century B.C., the strategoi were a political party comprised of Athenian generals. Due to the socioeconomic and political nature of the time, these generals began to influence the Athenian political front. Like the strategoi of Ancient Greece, we at Strategos Group are trusted advisors who serve the community through humility and principled-leadership.

Adam Giery

Managing Partner | Market Analyst | Catalyst | Entrepreneur | Leader

A former educator turned education advocate, joined Strategos Group in 2014 after a successful tenure as the Policy Director at the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Tampa, FL

Doug Mesecar

 Partner | Former EdTech Senior Executive & U.S. Department of Education Deputy Chief of Staff

Doug ranks among the small number of education consultants who have worked as an education policymaker, entrepreneur, and executive in the private sector.

Washington D.C.

Jim Horne

Partner | Former Florida Education Commissioner & National Education Reform Policy Advocate

Jim Horne served as Florida's first appointed Commissioner of Education under Governor Jeb Bush. During his tenure as a FL State Senator, Jim was the leader on education policies and budget reforms.

Tallahassee, FL

Tara Reid-Cherry

Partner | Education and Juvenile Justice Advocate | Campaign Consultant

Tara Reid joined Strategos Group in 2015 to focus on state and federal education advocacy. In her tenure with the firm, she has successfully helped pass legislation relating to computer science, social-emotional learning, and more.

Tallahassee, FL

Todd Dallas Lamb

Partner | Former White House Appointee to the U.S. Department of Education

Todd Lamb has spent 15 years working with education companies and non-profits across the country at the district, state, and federal levels. As an advisor, Todd is an expert in a variety of sectors.

Annapolis, MD

Tom Luna

Partner | Former Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction & President of Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)

Tom Luna was elected Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2006 and served two terms during which Idaho passed arguably the most comprehensive education reforms laws in the country.

Boise, ID

Vance Aloupis

Partner | Former Legislator |
National Advocacy Management

Vance Aloupis joined Strategos Group in March 2023. He served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 115, from 2018 to 2022, and was chairman of the House’s Early Learning and Elementary Education Subcommittee. 

Miami, Florida

Johnny Key

Partner | Former Education Commissioner |
State Superintendent Engagement

Johnny Key joined Strategos Group in March 2023. He served as secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education from 2019 to 2023 and as commissioner of the department from 2015 to 2019, overseeing the state’s 237 school districts and 18 charter school systems. 

Little Rock, Arkansas

Addison Davis

Partner | Former District Superintendent |  
Business Transactional Advisory

Addison Davis joined Strategos Group in July 2023. He is an accomplished education leader with a wealth of experience in the field. As Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) from March 2020 to July 2023, he made significant contributions to one of the largest school systems in the country.

Fleming Island, Florida

Dr. Rod Berger

Senior Advisor | Global Education Media Personality

Dr. Rod Berger is a communication strategist and on-air personality engaging with global and iconic companies, individual brands, celebrities, professional athletes, and award-winning entertainers.

Nashville, TN

Mark Herron

State Engagement Manager | Enterprise Development Specialist 

Prior to joining the Strategos Group in 2020, Mark served as the Vice President of LobbyTools, Florida's most prominent legislative tracking company.

Tallahassee, FL

Director of Enterprise Growth & Investments

M&A | Strategic Finance | Capital Markets

Kevin Jenkins joined Strategos Group in 2023, bringing more than a decade of experience working in various strategy, finance, and corporate development roles in the financial services, public sector consulting, crypto and EdTech industries.

Tampa, FL

Antonio (Tony) Hebert

Marketing Manager | Strategic Communicator | Professional Journalist

Antonio (Tony) Hebert uses his background in journalism, political science, and non-profit marketing to serve Strategos Group and its clients through the creation and management of engaging content.

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Sydney Wingate

Director of Education Partnerships | K-12 Education Market Strategist 

Sydney Wingate joined Strategos Group in 2019 with over 20 years of consulting experience.

Annapolis, MD

Nicholas Mortellaro

Director | Strategy & Market Advancement

Nick joined Strategos Group in 2017. He focuses on the policy and market dynamics that influence education, healthcare, and technology companies. A fifth-generation Floridian, he attended Florida State University where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Tampa, FL

Emily Petersen

Education Solutions Manager |  
Former Educator

Emily Petersen is a former educator, having taught for nine years in public, private, and charter schools. Now she advocates for teachers and students as Education Solutions Manager at Strategos Group.

Jacksonville, Florida

Melisa Taylor

Director of Operations | Client Success Manager | Enterprise Systems Optimizer

Melisa Taylor joined Strategos Group in 2015 and helped to establish the company’s first brick and mortar office. Currently, Melisa serves as Director of Operations for the entire enterprise.

Tampa, FL

Laura Kersten

Project Manager | Executive Scheduler

Laura Kersten joined Strategos Group in 2016 to assist in client management and coordination. She serves as the executive assistant to Strategos partner Jim Horne.

Tallahassee, FL

Jes Fowler

Government Advocacy Advisor |    
Early Education and Public
Policy Expert

Fowler’s career in education began in 2014 at the Florida Department of Education where she served as a program coordinator, spearheading special projects across early learning programs within the Division of Early Learning.

Tallahassee, Florida
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