Debra Bryant, Senior Advisor

Debra and Leslie have worked together for more than 20 years, including previously shared federal representation of the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and Fayetteville - Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. Debra also currently works with Strategics Consulting for the City of Winston-Salem, NC. With more than 35 years of experience in federal advocacy, coalition building and community revitalization, Debra is well-known for her dynamic and relentless advocacy manner. Her clients have included local governments and their economic development authorities, regional and statewide organizations focused on jobs and economic development, colleges and universities, hospitals and health care systems, and national organizations seeking increased funding to provide community resources. Private sector clients have included developers, and defense, energy and technology companies seeking federal research and development funding or changes in the tax code to spur economic development.

Debra ran the North Carolina Governor’s Washington Office for seven years, where she was appointed by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. to serve as the Appalachian Regional Commission Alternate for the State of North Carolina. She was also highly successful in coordinating two major hurricane recovery efforts that resulted in $600 million for Hurricane Fran (1996) and $300 million for Hurricane Floyd recovery (1999).

Debra graduated from Meredith College and earned her MPA from North Carolina State University, where she continues to serve on an advisory committee for the School of Public and International Affairs.