Brandi Lowell is the executive director of the Tennessee Business Forum and has unique legislative and executive branch, overseas, and private sector experience. Brandi has over a decade of Hill experience and brings policy and Chief of Staff experience after working for Members of Congress from the nation’s most competitive swing districts. In the Executive Branch, Brandi served the U.S. Embassy Mexico City as the Narcotics Affairs Section’s (NAS) public affairs officer. There she developed and managed the Embassy’s communications strategy for the $1.5 billion dollar Mérida Initiative, served on the Ambassador’s Narcotics Affairs Policy Team, prepared briefs for the Mexican Calderon administration, and authored content for congressional testimony by senior U.S. Department of State officials. Brandi was awarded the U.S. Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award for outstanding performance. In the private sector, Brandi served as Director, Federal Governmental Affairs, for Duke Energy Corporation, a Fortune 125 company. There she worked to transform policy goals into legislative activities, managed a nearly $2 million PAC budget, briefed company executives including the CEO, and managed strategic association and consultant relationships on behalf of the company. Clients of The Ingram Group appreciate Brandi for her ability to design results-producing government affairs advocacy strategies, leverage strategic coalitions in pursuit of a shared objective, and develop communications plans that work across the political spectrum.

While Amanda Bunning Kelsey began her career in Washington working for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R- KY) in his Senate Leadership office, her experience in politics began much earlier. Amanda is the granddaughter of former U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) and became interested and familiar with politics at a young age. Amanda joined the Ingram Group after extensive public and private sector work. She understands how things operate at the federal and state levels and knows how to get things done efficiently and effectively. Amanda advises a diverse set of clients by carrying out strategic educational campaigns and advocacy with members of Congress and the Executive Branch. She serves her clients in a number of ways, including: maintaining beneficial relationships, developing effective messaging products, preparing clients for congressional hearings, and activating grassroot campaigns or coalition building in support of advocacy efforts. Before joining the Group, Amanda served as the Director of Government Affairs for the American Conservative Union (ACU), which sponsors the largest and most influential political conference in the nation, CPAC. In her position, she managed the ACU Foundation’s ratings of Congress, the ratings of all 50 state legislatures, and the coordination of policy discussions at events across the country. Prior to her position at ACU, Amanda served on the Government Affairs team for Anheuser-Busch Companies. She supported the team’s efforts in articulating company positions to policymakers on a wide range of legislative and executive initiatives.

Eric Bunning is a seasoned government relations professional and has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. Eric quickly worked his way through the ranks and ultimately served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) covering a diverse issue set of primarily domestic policies, including expertise in several unique policy areas including financial services policy, alcohol policy, and equine policy. When Eric departed the Hill, he was hired as the Director of Federal Affairs for the National Beer Wholesalers Association, a renowned national trade association, where he continued his work building relationships on Capitol Hill, advancing the association’s legislative priorities, and deepening his knowledge of issues facing Main Street businesses. Prior to joining The Ingram Group, Bunning had started his own political consulting firm and managed contracts encompassing several different legislatures.

Laurel Beth McPherson is an active CPA with experience in both internal, external, and international accounting, including tax and internal audit. Most recently, she was a member of the internal audit department at HCA Healthcare, where she oversaw accounts receivable valuation processes and financial statement and internal control audits for various lines of business. During her time with HCA, she spent two years on rotation in London, England working exclusively with the company’s UK division. She started her career with PwC where she prepared tax filings for public and private corporations and partnerships.

Laurel Beth attended the University of Tennessee where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in accounting. She and her husband, Ryan, have one son.

Margo Ingram Edwards joined The Ingram Group in 2017 after a three-year stint as a small business owner and operator in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has experience in operations, graphic design, marketing and event and team management. As Chief Administrative Officer, Margo oversees staff and office management and also serves as an aide to all consultants and clients by creating graphic deliverables, handling media and court room monitoring, project research and support, event organizing, and more. She also serves as the Executive Assistant to The Ingram Group’s founder, Tom Ingram, by managing his schedule, meeting requests, and assisting with special projects.