by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
They have been working together so long it’s gotten to the point they sometimes finish each other’s sentences.
That’s how Jim Horne and Georgia McKeown describe their 15-year professional relationship. It has led the pair to open the independent Jacksonville Office of Dutko Worldwide, a government affairs consulting and lobbying firm that advocates for clients in the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.
The relationship began in 1994 when Horne successfully ran for the Florida Senate and McKeown worked on his campaign following a tour of duty as district representative for U.S. Rep. Tillie Fowler. In 2001, then Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Horne Florida’s Secretary of Education, a position that later became the Florida Education Commissioner. McKeown accompanied Horne to his new office, first as chief of staff and later as deputy education commissioner for external affairs.
Eighteen months later, McKeown transitioned to the private sector and joined the government consulting firm Poole McKinley & Blosser. In September 2004, Horne also entered private practice after resigning from the Florida Department of Education. Horne and McKeown’s paths intersected again in January 2005 when the Horne Group was incorporated and McKeown came aboard as a managing director.
“Ten years of public service was enough,” said Horne. “I don’t believe in career politicians.”
The latest incarnation of the affiliation began in January when they merged the Horne Group with Dutko Worldwide and opened an office on West Monroe Street.
During his time in the Senate, Horne was involved with legislation that created vouchers and charter schools. While he was Commissioner of Education, Horne oversaw the merger of Florida’s education system from kindergarten through higher education.
“Some people also call me the creator of the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test),” he said. “It was a unique experience as education commissioner to implement legislation I helped pass.”
Opening an office in Jacksonville was a natural choice, said McKeown who explained, “We had a large investment in the community from when Jim was senator.”
Horne said his and McKeown’s wide range of experience on the local, state and national levels combined with their diverse backgrounds in government service gives them an edge for their clients.
“Navigating political structures can be challenging,” said Horne. “What sets us apart is I know the political process and we have our finger on the pulse of Tallahassee. People think of us as education lobbyists, but the process is the same for health care, energy or other technologies.
“Sometimes government consultants or lobbyists get a bad rap, but people need help understanding the process. It’s a long way from a great idea to a law and we can play an important role for business.”
When asked about how he would like to see education progress in Florida, Horne said, “The most powerful education reform we could implement would be to create a pay structure for teachers similar to that of attorneys, accountants and physicians. We need to develop ‘master teachers’ who would be mentors and we need to stop sending our newest teachers to the worst classrooms.”
McKeown said in addition to serving their clients’ needs and growing the office’s client base, one of their goals is to become involved in the local community as a good corporate partner.
Horne said of all the positions he has held on both sides of the table, partnering with McKeown in the Jacksonville venture seems to be the best fit.
“We’re excited about Jacksonville and want to do more work with local entities but we’re under no pressure to take on any client. We just have to believe in what we do,” he added.
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