WINTER 2016 INFLUENCE | 117 Drew Piers, 25 Deputy director of public affairs at Sachs Media Group Drew Messer, 33 Principal at Vineyard Partners Drew Messer grew up around politics, waving campaign signs for family and friends. So when a job opened up on a statewide campaign right after law school, Messer jumped at the opportunity. That was in 2010. In the years since, he’s built up an impressive resume. Florida coalitions director for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. Senior government director at Republic Services. Now the 33-year-old is striking out on his own, hoping to make his mark in the industry. “Drew is smart, hardworking and willing to do what it takes for success,” said Susie Wiles, a veteran political consultant and a managing partner at Ballard Partners in Jacksonville. “He’s a great friend and a good partner on any political project. I always look forward to the chance to collaborate.” Messer opened Vineyard Partners in February, after three years at Republic Services. As the government affairs director for the company’s Southeast region, he got a taste for the lobbying side of things and learned the ins and outs of procurement. And, eventually, he decided he could do the exact same thing for a variety of clients. In the 10 months since hanging his own shingle, he’s already had successes. He worked with Tim Baker and Brian Hughes on the Jacksonville pension tax initiative, which received overwhelming support earlier this year. “It’s a little scary at first,” said Messer. “But you soon find out you have a service to offer. If you continually deliver with confidence and in a first-class manner, business will keep coming.” Drew Piers doesn’t mind if you call him in a crisis. In fact, he’d prefer it if you did. He wears many hats at Sachs, working on political campaigns and helping shepherd through legislation important to his clients. Plus, he’s there for them when they need support when problems come up. “Whether it’s an organization or an individual, no one wants to have a crisis, but they’re always grateful when they have support,” said Piers. Like so many politicos his age, he cut his teeth as an intern in Gov. Rick Scott’s office. Scott’s 2010 campaign was the first one he volunteered for, the first time he gave a campaign contribution. He stayed in the Governor’s Office for about a year and a half, before taking an internship at Sachs. He worked his way up the ladder, and supporting several pieces of legislation moving through the process. He’s most proud of being part of a team that worked to pass legislation to curb prescription drug abuse. It’s an issue prevalent in the Bradenton-Sarasota area from which he hails, and Piers said it felt good to pass legislation that can give people in his community “a better chance.” R I S I N G STARS
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