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Meet The Team
Experienced leaders with firsthand knowledge of North Carolina’s policy landscape.
Senator Jim Perry
President | Managing Partner
Jim Perry’s entry into North Carolina politics began when proposed legislation threatened to put his business at risk. Experiencing firsthand how public policy can affect jobs, enterprise value, and personal investment inspired his commitment to helping others navigate the legislative process and advocate for sound, balanced policy.
From 2019 to 2024, Senator Perry represented his district in the North Carolina General Assembly. During his first full term, he was unanimously elected by his peers to serve in Senate leadership as Majority Whip, a role he held until his retirement. His strong background in finance and operations earned him the respect of business leaders statewide and contributed to his notable success in fundraising within the Senate caucus.
Before entering public service, Perry spent over 20 years in private equity, serving as CEO, COO, and limited partner across multiple ventures and boards in the dental sector. As COO of a 3,000-person dental organization, he led the company through several private equity transactions that achieved industry-leading EBITDA multiples (14x–19x) and enterprise values between $310 million and $2.7 billion before retiring from the industry in 2019.
In the Senate, Perry chaired key committees including Finance, Healthcare, and Appropriations on Health and Human Services. Widely recognized for his expertise in tax policy, healthcare, and complex business issues, he built lasting bipartisan relationships across both chambers of the General Assembly.
Perry currently serves on the Board of Visitors at North Carolina State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from NC State University and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jim Perry’s entry into North Carolina politics began when proposed legislation threatened to put his business at risk. Experiencing firsthand how public policy can affect jobs, enterprise value, and personal investment inspired his commitment to helping others navigate the legislative process and advocate for sound, balanced policy.
From 2019 to 2024, Senator Perry represented his district in the North Carolina General Assembly. During his first full term, he was unanimously elected by his peers to serve in Senate leadership as Majority Whip, a role he held until his retirement. His strong background in finance and operations earned him the respect of business leaders statewide and contributed to his notable success in fundraising within the Senate caucus.
Before entering public service, Perry spent over 20 years in private equity, serving as CEO, COO, and limited partner across multiple ventures and boards in the dental sector. As COO of a 3,000-person dental organization, he led the company through several private equity transactions that achieved industry-leading EBITDA multiples (14x–19x) and enterprise values between $310 million and $2.7 billion before retiring from the industry in 2019.
In the Senate, Perry chaired key committees including Finance, Healthcare, and Appropriations on Health and Human Services. Widely recognized for his expertise in tax policy, healthcare, and complex business issues, he built lasting bipartisan relationships across both chambers of the General Assembly.
Perry currently serves on the Board of Visitors at North Carolina State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from NC State University and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dan Forest
Partner | Senior Government Relations Consultant
Dan is a Partner and Senior Government Relations Consultant with NC Capitol Strategies, where he advises clients on government relations, public affairs, and strategic policy initiatives across North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
A former two-term Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, Dan brings deep insight into the legislative and executive processes at both the state and federal levels. During his eight years in office, he served as President of the North Carolina Senate, Chairman of the Energy Policy Council, and a member of the Economic Development Board. He also chaired the State Board of Education’s Digital Technology Committee, the Postsecondary Educational Credentials Board, and served as a voting member of the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges.
A long-time advocate for educational innovation and school choice, Dan led landmark initiatives including North Carolina’s University Campus Free Speech Act—the first of its kind in the nation—along with legislation requiring financial literacy and economics courses for all high school graduates. Under his leadership, North Carolina became the first state to connect every classroom to high-speed internet. He also championed opportunity scholarships for disadvantaged students, anti-human trafficking laws, and forward-looking policy to support emerging technologies such as eVTOL aviation and cryptocurrency.
Before entering public service, Dan built a successful career in architecture, ultimately serving as a senior partner at one of the nation’s largest firms. He led major design projects across corporate, educational, and civic sectors nationwide.
Dan is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Dan is a Partner and Senior Government Relations Consultant with NC Capitol Strategies, where he advises clients on government relations, public affairs, and strategic policy initiatives across North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
A former two-term Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, Dan brings deep insight into the legislative and executive processes at both the state and federal levels. During his eight years in office, he served as President of the North Carolina Senate, Chairman of the Energy Policy Council, and a member of the Economic Development Board. He also chaired the State Board of Education’s Digital Technology Committee, the Postsecondary Educational Credentials Board, and served as a voting member of the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges.
A long-time advocate for educational innovation and school choice, Dan led landmark initiatives including North Carolina’s University Campus Free Speech Act—the first of its kind in the nation—along with legislation requiring financial literacy and economics courses for all high school graduates. Under his leadership, North Carolina became the first state to connect every classroom to high-speed internet. He also championed opportunity scholarships for disadvantaged students, anti-human trafficking laws, and forward-looking policy to support emerging technologies such as eVTOL aviation and cryptocurrency.
Before entering public service, Dan built a successful career in architecture, ultimately serving as a senior partner at one of the nation’s largest firms. He led major design projects across corporate, educational, and civic sectors nationwide.
Dan is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Anna Scott Marsh Barefoot
Partner | Government Relations Consultant
Anna Scott is a Partner at N.C. Capitol Strategies, where she combines deep experience in North Carolina politics, fundraising, and strategic advocacy to help clients navigate complex policy landscapes and achieve meaningful results. Based in Raleigh, she was named one of the Top 25 Lobbyists in North Carolina by the North State Journal in 2024.
Before joining N.C. Capitol Strategies, Anna Scott served as a Principal with a national government affairs and strategy firm. She previously founded and led a successful fundraising and consulting company in North Carolina, representing candidates, associations, and political committees. Across three election cycles, her efforts helped raise more than $40 million to support state and federal campaigns throughout North Carolina.
Her early career included key roles within the North Carolina General Assembly, where she served as a Research Assistant to the House Agriculture Committee and as a staffer in the North Carolina Senate. She also held leadership positions on statewide campaigns, including Deputy Finance Director for Dan Forest for Governor, and gained additional experience on the Pat McCrory Committee and with then–State Senator William Timmons, now a U.S. Representative for South Carolina.
Anna Scott’s policy expertise spans a wide range of industries, including agriculture, energy and environment, healthcare, technology, gaming, law enforcement, economic development, and local government.
She serves on the Board of Visitors for East Carolina University and is an active member of the North Carolina Professional Lobbyists Association.
Anna Scott is a graduate of East Carolina University.
Anna Scott is a Partner at N.C. Capitol Strategies, where she combines deep experience in North Carolina politics, fundraising, and strategic advocacy to help clients navigate complex policy landscapes and achieve meaningful results. Based in Raleigh, she was named one of the Top 25 Lobbyists in North Carolina by the North State Journal in 2024.
Before joining N.C. Capitol Strategies, Anna Scott served as a Principal with a national government affairs and strategy firm. She previously founded and led a successful fundraising and consulting company in North Carolina, representing candidates, associations, and political committees. Across three election cycles, her efforts helped raise more than $40 million to support state and federal campaigns throughout North Carolina.
Her early career included key roles within the North Carolina General Assembly, where she served as a Research Assistant to the House Agriculture Committee and as a staffer in the North Carolina Senate. She also held leadership positions on statewide campaigns, including Deputy Finance Director for Dan Forest for Governor, and gained additional experience on the Pat McCrory Committee and with then–State Senator William Timmons, now a U.S. Representative for South Carolina.
Anna Scott’s policy expertise spans a wide range of industries, including agriculture, energy and environment, healthcare, technology, gaming, law enforcement, economic development, and local government.
She serves on the Board of Visitors for East Carolina University and is an active member of the North Carolina Professional Lobbyists Association.
Anna Scott is a graduate of East Carolina University.
Robert Moore
Partner | Government Relations Consultant
Robert’s involvement in public policy began more than 30 years ago, when proposed legislation threatened to significantly affect a company he owned in the advertising sector. In response, he helped establish an industry association and advocacy arm to organize and inform business leaders about emerging policy risks. Since then, Robert has been a consistent and respected presence at the North Carolina General Assembly, engaging lawmakers and shaping policy dating back to Governor Jim Hunt’s administration in the 1990s.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Robert speaks the language of business. He has founded, acquired, and sold multiple companies over his career, most recently leading the successful sale of Riley (Patriot) Outdoor to Adams Outdoor — the nation’s fourth-largest out-of-home advertising operator. His broad policy expertise spans business development, transportation, environmental issues, healthcare, higher education, and the judicial and public safety sectors.
Robert currently serves on the State Board of the North Carolina Community College System and is a proud graduate of East Carolina University.
Robert’s involvement in public policy began more than 30 years ago, when proposed legislation threatened to significantly affect a company he owned in the advertising sector. In response, he helped establish an industry association and advocacy arm to organize and inform business leaders about emerging policy risks. Since then, Robert has been a consistent and respected presence at the North Carolina General Assembly, engaging lawmakers and shaping policy dating back to Governor Jim Hunt’s administration in the 1990s.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Robert speaks the language of business. He has founded, acquired, and sold multiple companies over his career, most recently leading the successful sale of Riley (Patriot) Outdoor to Adams Outdoor — the nation’s fourth-largest out-of-home advertising operator. His broad policy expertise spans business development, transportation, environmental issues, healthcare, higher education, and the judicial and public safety sectors.
Robert currently serves on the State Board of the North Carolina Community College System and is a proud graduate of East Carolina University.
Taylor Sylvester
Director of Client Services
As Director of Client Services, Taylor ensures every client of N.C. Capitol Strategies receives the dedicated support, communication, and attention they deserve. She plays a central role in shaping the firm’s messaging and positioning strategies — a skill refined during her years in the advertising industry. In addition to her client relations and public affairs work, Taylor oversees back-office operations and internal processes, serving as the firm’s true “client concierge” through her multifaceted role.
Taylor began her career in legislative policy with the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association and later served in the Office of the Majority Leader of the N.C. House of Representatives under Representative John Bell.
Before joining N.C. Capitol Strategies, she worked as an Account Executive at a full-service advertising agency, where she combined public relations expertise with experience supporting clients in the healthcare industry.
Taylor is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
As Director of Client Services, Taylor ensures every client of N.C. Capitol Strategies receives the dedicated support, communication, and attention they deserve. She plays a central role in shaping the firm’s messaging and positioning strategies — a skill refined during her years in the advertising industry. In addition to her client relations and public affairs work, Taylor oversees back-office operations and internal processes, serving as the firm’s true “client concierge” through her multifaceted role.
Taylor began her career in legislative policy with the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association and later served in the Office of the Majority Leader of the N.C. House of Representatives under Representative John Bell.
Before joining N.C. Capitol Strategies, she worked as an Account Executive at a full-service advertising agency, where she combined public relations expertise with experience supporting clients in the healthcare industry.
Taylor is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Reagan Perry
Research Coordinator
Reagan coordinates all internal legislative tracking and client research for N.C. Capitol Strategies. She monitors bill filings, committee activity, and legislative movement across North Carolina, mapping potential pathways for key initiatives. In addition, she provides clients with detailed analysis, opportunity assessments, and strategic insights on emerging policy issues.
Reagan’s engagement in North Carolina politics began through campaign and fundraising work, where she developed a strong understanding of the state’s political landscape. While in college, she interned for Senator Todd Johnson, who serves as Senate Majority Whip and Chairman of the Commerce and Insurance Committee, gaining valuable experience in legislative operations and policy development.
With a deep passion for healthcare, Reagan plans to pursue a career in medicine and intends to apply to medical school in 2025. She is a dedicated advocate for the amputee community, volunteering to raise awareness and share her story following her own through-the-knee amputation in January 2024.
Reagan is a graduate of the Honors College at North Carolina State University and was a finalist for the prestigious Park Scholarship.
Reagan coordinates all internal legislative tracking and client research for N.C. Capitol Strategies. She monitors bill filings, committee activity, and legislative movement across North Carolina, mapping potential pathways for key initiatives. In addition, she provides clients with detailed analysis, opportunity assessments, and strategic insights on emerging policy issues.
Reagan’s engagement in North Carolina politics began through campaign and fundraising work, where she developed a strong understanding of the state’s political landscape. While in college, she interned for Senator Todd Johnson, who serves as Senate Majority Whip and Chairman of the Commerce and Insurance Committee, gaining valuable experience in legislative operations and policy development.
With a deep passion for healthcare, Reagan plans to pursue a career in medicine and intends to apply to medical school in 2025. She is a dedicated advocate for the amputee community, volunteering to raise awareness and share her story following her own through-the-knee amputation in January 2024.
Reagan is a graduate of the Honors College at North Carolina State University and was a finalist for the prestigious Park Scholarship.
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