Government relations firm expands to Sarasota

One of the country’s top government relations firms is expanding to Sarasota. 

Ballard Partners, a Florida-based firm, has offices as far away as Washington, D.C; Boston; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Istanbul, and as close as Tampa and Orlando. The new Sarasota office will be led by firm partner Todd Josko, as managing partner. 

“As Florida’s growth continues to boom, Southwest Florida is a burgeoning market for Florida business and also plays a critical role in Florida governance and elections,” says Brian Ballard, the firm’s president and founder, in a news release. “We are delighted to be expanding the firm’s significant footprint in Florida under Todd’s leadership, given his long-standing personal ties and unique knowledge of Sarasota and Manatee Counties.” 

Josko, who has over 25 years of experience, has been a partner at the Tampa location since 2016. For 15 years, he led a Tampa-based public affairs firm as the founder and president. Early in his career, Josko was a legislative aide for a Florida House of Representatives member in Manatee County. 

“I am excited to plant the Ballard Partners flag in my hometown of Sarasota,” Josko says. “With our firm’s local, state, federal and international reach, our capabilities are unrivaled in Southwest Florida.”

Ana Cruz will continue to lead the Ballard Partners Tampa office.