Michael R. O’Brien has counseled clients on legislative and executive branch matters and served as political advisor to candidates and elected officials since 2002. He joined 1816 inc. in 2016 and was instrumental in building the firm’s impressive client roster and formidable presence in the Statehouse. He was named President of 1816 Public Affairs Group LLC in 2020.
A well-respected multi-client lobbyist since 2006, he previously worked as vice president with Bose Public Affairs Group and as senior public policy advisor with Barnes & Thornburg LLP. In those capacities, he gained extensive knowledge of the legislative process working across all subject matters, most notably in health care, insurance, transportation, alcohol and tobacco, utilities, and gaming.
In 2005, he served as Legislative Director to Governor Mitch Daniels, helping the governor achieve a bold and ambitious legislative agenda, including the creation of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the lease of the Indiana Toll Road, and the adoption of Daylight Saving Time. He began his lobbying career as legislative liaison for the Indiana State Medical Association.
O’Brien has also been active at the senior level of Republican politics in Indiana for nearly two decades. In 2016, he served as campaign manager for the successful Holcomb for Indiana gubernatorial campaign, leading the team to a sizable victory in an unprecedented, 100-day race. His other previous political experience includes work on the Mitch Daniels for Governor campaign in 2004 and 2008, managing Todd Rokita’s successful election to Secretary of State in 2006, and serving as a policy director on now-Vice President Pence’s campaign for governor in 2012. In 2009, he was elected chairman of the Hendricks County Republican Party, a post he held until 2017, when he was elected Fourth Congressional District Chairman. He served on the Indiana GOP State Committee in that role until 2020.
In 2017, O’Brien joined WFYI’s Indiana Week in Review, a statewide political news and debate show, as the regular Republican panelist.
Education
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (B.A. Political Science, 2001)
Neil Krevda joined 1816 Public Affairs Group LLC in 2019 as Director of Government Affairs. Neil has an extensive background in the legislative, regulatory, state agencies and utilities. He is also the President of the Indiana Broadband and Technology Association. He worked for GTE/Verizon for many years and spent the last 25 years in the Government Affairs group within Verizon. He handled various issues in six states including Indiana. Prior to GTE/Verizon, Neil worked for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the Indiana Consumer Counselor Office and an electric utility in the State of Indiana.
Mr. Krevda’s work background provided him with exposure in Washington, D.C. and numerous states. He has testified on various issues over the years and in various states. His most recent work was in the area of small/micro cell legislation in a six state area around Indiana. The legislation would help streamline the construction process of the new 5G technology roll out in the wireless industry.
Mr. Krevda is a lifelong citizen of the State of Indiana having grown up in Gas City, Indiana.
Education
Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana (B.A. Business & Economic, 1978)
Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana (M.B.A., 1988)
Brian C. Bosma recently joined 1816 Public Affairs Group LLC as a Senior Consultant providing strategic advice and consulting services to the firm and its clients. Mr. Bosma remains as a partner with the law firm of Kroger Gardis & Regas practicing in the municipal law, finance and corporate transactions areas and Chairs KGR’s Municipal Law Practice Group.
Mr. Bosma has an extensive background in engineering, business, law and government, serving for 34 years as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives in numerous leadership capacities. He stepped down in July of 2020 after 6 terms as Speaker of the Indiana House, the longest tenure in state history. He also served as the Chair of the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee for nearly two decades.
Mr. Bosma is a founding director of Bosma Industries for the Blind and serves as the Chairman of the Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation, which is the largest provider of services and employment to the blind and visually impaired in the State of Indiana. He has been recognized by numerous professional associations and has been recognized as an “Indiana Super Lawyer” and annually recognized as an Outstanding Attorney by The Best Lawyers in America®. He was recently selected as Best Lawyers® 2021 Government Relations Practice “Lawyer of the Year,” a distinction awarded to just one attorney in a metropolitan area and a specific practice area.
Mr. Bosma looks forward to working with the trusted professionals with 1816 and the firm’s clients.
Education
IU McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, IN (J.D., 1984)
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (B.S. Engineering, 1981)
Professional Associations
National Legislative Chair, Republican Legislative Campaign Committee
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association
State, Local and Federal Bar Associations
Meet Our Team
Tyler O. Starkey joined 1816 Public Affairs Group LLC in 2015 as Policy Advisor and General Counsel. As the Policy Advisor and General Counsel, Tyler Starkey helps clients navigate political and regulatory processes, enabling them to proactively maximize benefits while minimizing risks associated with new and upcoming legislation. Tyler is also the Executive Director of the Indiana Beverage Alliance which is the Indiana trade association for beer wholesalers.
As Executive Director of IBA, Tyler leads an association of Indiana businesses who serve as the middle tier of a three-tier system comprised of brewers, wholesalers and retail outlets that ensure important public health safeguards while streamlining the alcohol regulatory compliance oversight process for state and local officials.
Beyond serving as a trusted legal advisor, Tyler is active in both local politics and his community. Tyler serves as a member on the Board of Trustees for Hendricks Regional Health in Danville, Indiana. Appointed by the Hendricks County Commissioners, the Board sets strategic direction by guiding hospital policy and expansion during four-year, renewable terms. Hendricks Regional Health serves west central Indiana as a nationally recognized, nonprofit, healthcare organization with a deeply rooted legacy of community service.
His political experience includes serving as a precinct committeeman, township advisory board member, working on various campaigns in central Indiana, and formerly serving as the President of the Hendricks County Election Board from 2014-2018 where he was the presiding member of the body that oversees federal, state, county, town, and school district elections for Hendricks County, Indiana.
Mr. Starkey has a private law practice in Brownsburg, Indiana providing counsel and representation to individuals and corporations. Before starting his own practice in 2011, he was an associate attorney at Steuerwald, Hannon, Zielinski & Witham in Danville, Indiana where he assisted with representation for the Hendricks County Board of Commissioners and the Hendricks County Board of Health. Prior to private practice, he also served three years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Hendricks County, Indiana.
Education
Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana (B.S. Political Science, Minor in Chemistry, 2003)
Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana (J.D., 2006)
Memberships
Indiana State Bar Association, Hendricks County Bar Association, Wholesale Beer Association of Executives, Brownsburg Kiwanis
Grant joined 1816 Public Affairs Group in 2020 as Director of Government Affairs and Associate General Counsel. He represents clients in legislative and executive branch lobbying, local government affairs, regulatory affairs, public policy initiatives, and political strategy.
Prior to joining 1816, Grant was a lawyer and lobbyist at the global law firm, Dentons. He lobbied on behalf of clients in a variety of industries including health care, utilities, energy, social services, and economic development. He has also practiced law and lobbied on behalf of health care clients at the national law firm, Quarles & Brady.
During the administrations of Governor Daniels and Governor Pence, Grant served as the legislative and policy director for the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration where he represented the State’s interests in several key legislative and policy matters including Medicaid expansion, HIP 2.0, mental health and addiction reform, SNAP and TANF, and long-term care reimbursement.
Grant is active in the Indiana GOP and has served as a precinct committeeman, state convention delegate, and member of the Downtown GOP Club. He is an Indiana Red Cross volunteer and serves on the board of directors of Hear Indiana.
Education
Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana (B.A. Political Science, 2010)
McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.D. 2015)
Brooke Fair joined 1816 Public Affairs Group LLC in 2019 as Director of Operations. Brooke has a background in event management along with operational management. Prior to joining 1816, Mrs. Fair worked in the retail management industry for 11 years at Buckle, Inc. Brooke worked her way up to Store Manager Level and before leaving the company she worked as an Operations Manager.
Education
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (B.S. Hospitality & Tourism Management, 2011)
Kroger Gardis & Regas (KGR)
Kroger Gardis & Regas (KGR) attorneys serve the legal needs of central Indiana’s business and financial community, concentrating resources in the commercial law, bankruptcy, real estate, and business law areas from its Indianapolis headquarters. Over the past two decades, the firm has expanded its client services to include the unique and diverse needs of Indiana’s municipalities and political subdivisions. The firm serves the needs of numerous governmental units as both general and special counsel and is also employed to consult with additional political subdivisions and their general counsel on specific or complex matters.
KGR is a member of TAGlaw® a worldwide network of independent law firms with more than 140 member firms based in nearly 100 countries. Its 9,000 lawyers work out of 300 offices to provide a full range of legal services to clients all over the world.
In 2020, KGR and 1816 Public Affairs Group, LLC., entered into a strategic partnership to enhance both firms’ well-established presence in state and local government. Through this partnership, clients have access to a comprehensive suite of services to serve their legal, government, and public affairs needs.
