As veterans in government relations and advocacy, John DeWorken and Sunnie Harmon differentiate themselves from other lobbying teams because of their expertise in areas that “really” affect change.
- Lobbying/Advocacy
- Strong coalition building
- Mobilizing influential grassroots/grasstops efforts
- Creating effective messaging
- Conducting comprehensive media relations campaigns
DeWorken and Harmon use these tools to strategically influence policy makers to the benefit of their clients.
Before starting their firm, DeWorken and Harmon created the Upstate (SC) Chamber Coalition, an eleven chamber of commerce contractually bound alliance, advocating for 8,000 businesses and over 250,000 employees.
Prior to that:
DeWorken worked for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce on its advocacy team as an associate VP and for the South Carolina Senate as a legislative director. DeWorken was twice named as the “Top 50 Most Influential People in Greenville” by Greenville Magazine. DeWorken is a three-time graduate of Clemson University.
Sunnie Harmon was awarded as the 2011 Economic Development Lobbyist of the Year by Nexsen Pruet’s Burnie Maybank for her efforts to secure $146M in SUTA relief. A two-time Clemson Grad and NCAA Academic All-American, Harmon is a two-time captain and four year letterman for the nationally raked Top 20 Clemson Women’s Tennis Team.
She began her career working for South Carolina Congressman Gresham Barrett, who served the state’s 3rd Congressional District. In her first year of lobbying, Harmon was voted by her peers as “Rookie Lobbyist of the Year.”
What Others Say about The Sunnie and DeWorken Group
“As two-time director of the South Carolina Department of Revenue, serving Governors Beasley and Sanford, and as legal counsel to Governor Carroll Campbell, I have years of experience working with government relations officials. I can say, without equivocation, that Sunnie and John are some of the best I have ever worked with.
Their results speak for themselves, such as obtaining $146,000,000 in 2011 for state unemployment tax relief. In fact, I awarded Sunnie Harmon with the 2011 Economic Development Lobbyist of the Year for her efforts in SUTA relief. I would recommend Sunnie and John to anyone that wants a results-oriented, integrity-minded, customer service-driven government relations and advocacy firm.”
~ Burnie Maybank, Nexsen Pruet Attorney
“The Sunnie Harmon and John DeWorken Group has been a great advocate for the South Carolina Staffing Industry! John and Sunnie’s ability to get up to speed quickly on a subject, their proactive approach in building strategies, and their tireless efforts in educating and advocating on our behalf have impressed me time and time again. I have worked very closely with John and Sunnie for the past two years and I have seen first hand how hard they work for their clients and how professional and effective they are. I have the utmost confidence in and respect for the Sunnie Harmon and John DeWorken Group. I couldn’t be happier that they are a part of our team. I recommend them highly!”
~ John Byrnes, South Carolina Association of Personnel & Staffing President
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