Experts on the People, Policy, and Politics of Ohio
Who We Are
For over four decades, The Success Group has stood as the preeminent government relations firm in Ohio, successfully navigating the challenges of term limits and partisanship. Our unwavering commitment to integrity, bipartisanship, and strong work ethic have enabled us to thrive.
Our enduring success rests not only on our proven ability to achieve client objectives, but also on our meticulously guarded reputation and high standards. We earn the trust and confidence of our clients, a privilege reflected by the fact that we have represented nearly 400 businesses, trade associations, and non-profit agencies.
Our team consists of professionals who have extensive experience working in prestigious institutions such as the White House, the State House, the Ohio Supreme Court, and state budget offices. With a combined experience of over 100 years, we have proudly served Governors, Senate Presidents, Speakers of the House, members of Congress, the Ohio General Assembly, and State Supreme Court Justices.
What We Do
Our core competency is lobbying. We persistently advocate for clients who have interests before the state legislature and Ohio’s executive agencies. We use our political knowledge and experience to empower clients to comprehend their current position, envision their desired outcomes, and build a strategic path to success. Representing clients before legislators and policymakers, we adeptly navigate the complexities of the legislative, procurement, and regulatory processes to achieve their goals.
Government affairs representation by The Success Group will keep you firmly connected with decision-makers, help you petition the government for the redress of grievances, and assist in informing decisions impacting you and your organization. Our effective governmental affairs strategy secures a seat and voice at the table. We cultivate relationships, positioning clients as reliable sources of information and trusted authorities on specific policies. Our extensive networks seamlessly become our clients’ networks, enhancing the overall experience as organizations navigate the nuanced arena of Ohio politics.
Professionals
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Mike Toman
Mike joined The Success Group in 2000. Prior to joining The Success Group, Mike spent five years lobbying as a senior policy analyst with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, worked for the Ohio Legislative Budget Office, and the Ohio Supreme Court. Mike served as President of the Ohio Lobbying Association (OLA) and was a member of the OLA Board of Trustees for seven years. Currently, Mike serves on the Board of Trustees for The Advocacy Group (TAG), a select international network of lobbying firms, The Ohio State University’s President’s Advisory Board, and The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs’ Alumni Advisory Board. Mike earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice at Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Public Administration at The Ohio State University John Glenn College.
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McKenzie K. Davis
McKenzie joined The Success Group in 2004. Prior to joining The Success Group, McKenzie served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Ohio Academy of Nursing Homes. McKenzie served nine years on the Ohio Supreme Court Board of Professional Conduct. He served on the 2018 Task Force on the Ohio Disciplinary System and was a 2015 Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellow. He currently serves on the Ohio Supreme Court Board of Character and Fitness, the Chief Justice Thomas Moyer Legacy Committee, and the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Sigma Chi House Corporation. McKenzie holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from The Ohio State University and a J.D. from Capital University Law School.
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Anthony Aquillo
Anthony joined The Success Group in 2019. Prior to joining The Success Group, Anthony gained valuable knowledge within the Ohio Senate while serving members in Senate Leadership as a Legislative Aide and Senior Legislative Aide. Anthony previously served as a constituent aide within the Ohio House of Representatives and as a legislative intern for a Columbus-based lobbying firm. He is a member of the Ohio Lobbying Association and serves on the OLA Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. He also serves on the Ohio YMCA Youth & Government Committee. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
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Rob Van Kirk
Rob Van Kirk joined The Success Group in 2021. Prior to joining The Success Group, Rob served as a Majority Policy Advisor for the Ohio House of Representatives, and previously served as the Senior Legislative Aide to the Majority Floor Leader. Rob’s tenure at the Ohio House spanned three General Assemblies. Before joining the Ohio House, Rob worked for the U.S. Speaker of the House supporting local political efforts in Southwestern Ohio. He also served the Public Affairs Office overseas at the U.S. Consulate in Naples, Italy for the U.S. Department of State. Rob earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and his master’s degree in Public Affairs from Xavier University.
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Kelsey Culbertson
Kelsey joined The Success Group in 2022. Prior to joining The Success Group, Kelsey served in the Ohio House of Representatives for seven years in the capacity of Engrossing and Assistant Committee Clerk, Legislative Aide and Legislative Services Commission Fellow. Kelsey previously worked for a Columbus/Cleveland based lobbying firm and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Xavier University.
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Carmen Wojtanowski
Carmen began her career as a Page in the Ohio General Assembly before her work in the private sector telecommunications industry. Leading operations on insurance, investment and accounts-payable, Carmen has worked with a majority of The Success Group employees and our 400+ clients since joining The Success Group. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Capital University.
Partnerships
A government affairs relationship with The Success Group provides access to a world-class international and domestic network of elite government affairs professionals through our partnerships.
The Advocacy Group
The Success Group is proud to be The Advocacy Group’s (TAG) Ohio member. TAG firms have been solving public policy challenges for businesses, trade associations, and not-for-profits since it was founded in 1992. TAG members develop tailored strategies and solutions for clients and then skillfully shepherd them through the often daunting political, legislative, and regulatory arenas where public policy becomes law. TAG is a one-stop, results-oriented network for clients with needs in multiple jurisdictions. TAG is the perfect place to find the very best lobbyist in a single city, state, country or specialty.
For more on TAG, please visit theadvocacygroup.org.
National Association of State Lobbyists
The Success Group is proud to be the National Association of State Lobbyists’ (NASL) Ohio member. NASL member firms provide a broad scope of state legislative lobbyist and other services for clients including the nation’s and states’ top private and publicly owned businesses; national, state and local trade associations; and charitable and nonprofit organizations. Membership in NASL includes the best of the best and is limited to one or two firms from each state.
For more on NASL, please visit statelobbyists.org.
Results and integrity matter