PHOTOS/SUBMITTED
5 QUESTIONS 5 CONTRACT LOBBYISTS
The Missouri Times Magazine sat down with 5 contract lobbyists who are each celebrating a major career anniversary to learn more about what they do - how and why. Answers are in their own words with minor editing for clarity and grammar.
DAWN NICKLAS ONE YEAR
How did you become a lobbyist? It wasn’t a path I chose for myself, really, until last year, making a change, moving forward and pursuing my own goals by starting my own business. I’ve worked in and around the legislative arena my entire adult life - with associations, lobbyist, legislators and a governor. Over the years I’ve watched, listened, and learned how best to succeed. Why do you lobby? Good question, some days I wonder that myself! I honestly don’t know if I have the simple answer. I feel everyone deserves a voice, representation, knowledge of the process and how it affects our lives, those deci-
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sions made by others in the Capitol building. What legislation do you consider your biggest success and why? During 2016’s session, I worked successfully with legislators to pass legislation focused on job safety, job creation, and farm-to-table. I’m very proud of these bills and know they will help improve quality of life for many Missourians. It’s not always about passing bills though, sometimes you focus on defense and at times defeat can be a favorable outcome as well, and my team experienced much of that too. I believe my first year as Nicklas Lobby, founded in October 2015, is my greatest success.