McGuireWoods Consulting announced that Phillip Cease, a former advisor to South Carolina’s governor and head of government affairs and policy at the state’s Department of Education (DOE), has joined the firm as a vice president in the state government relations practice. He is based in the firm’s Columbia office.

 A former advisor to three constitutional officers and public affairs director for the South Carolina Department of Education, Cease brings two decades of high-level advocacy experience spanning state government, nonprofits and private sector.

Cease arrives from the South Carolina DOE, where he served as director of government affairs and policy. He represented the department before the state legislature and committees, monitored passage of new laws and regulations, while pursuing favorable outcomes for students, educators and administrators.  
 
Previously, he was senior director of policy and advocacy at the Children’s Trust Fund of South Carolina, a statewide organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. He developed and led multifaceted legislative and messaging strategies for policymakers, nonprofits and grassroots audiences.
 
In state government, Cease was policy advisor to the state treasurer in relation to the treasurer’s role as member of the Budget and Control Board, Board of Financial Institutions and the Retirement System Investment Commission.
 
“Phillip’s deep knowledge of state government and experience leading major advocacy groups will be invaluable in assisting clients navigating government issues in South Carolina,” said former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges and president of McGuireWoods Consulting.
 
"We are excited to welcome Phillip to our state government affairs team in South Carolina,” said McGuireWoods Consulting chairman Mark Bowles. “His experience across all areas of state governance and important advocacy groups will be invaluable to clients navigating the changing landscape between the public and commercial sectors.”
 
From 2008-2011, Cease was policy advisor to the Office of the Governor, serving as liaison to Republican Gov. Mark Sanford with federal agencies and officials. He advised the governor on developing environmental, corrections and education policy, as well as appropriations proposals.
 
Cease subsequently was executive director of the South Carolina Club for Growth, a statewide fiscally conservative advocacy organization, where he successfully helped advance the election or reelection of officials in over a dozen high-profile legislative races. 
 
“Phillip brings a phenomenal background in South Carolina government affairs, policy making and advocacy,” said Brian Flynn, senior vice president and director of McGuireWoods Consulting’s South Carolina government relations group. “Not only is he well positioned to enhance our leading education platform in the state, but he has high level expertise across multiple sectors important for our clients in South Car