Press & Announcements

December 3, 2018

Jared Thomas Joins Garst Thomas Public Affairs

Jared S. Thomas and Cynthia Garst today announce the formation of Garst Thomas Public Affairs (formerly CPS Strategies), a partnership providing a full range of public affairs services. Garst Thomas Public Affairs is based in Atlanta, assisting corporate clients with their communications, public sector marketing, and lobbying and procurement needs in Georgia and Washington, DC.

“This is a new chapter for the Firm, as well as state government under much new leadership in Georgia,” said Cynthia.  “Jared has been a trusted colleague and friend for many years, and the opportunity to work with him as a partner presents a unique advantage to the Firm’s existing clients, as well for new exciting projects in the future.”

Jared S. Thomas is a seasoned Georgia governmental and campaign operative with nearly two decades of experience in the public affairs arena. Thomas began his career in campaign politics at an early age while still attending the University of Georgia -- running Governor-elect Brian Kemp’s successful first bid for the Georgia State Senate in 2002. The race resulted in a stunning upset in which an entrenched Democrat was defeated, sending Kemp to the Gold Dome during the historical first Republican takeover since Reconstruction.

Thomas then served as aide to then-Georgia Senate Majority Leader Tom Price and went on to successfully run Secretary Price’s 2004, seven-way Congressional primary and general campaigns for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District.

Most recently, Thomas served as Chief of Staff and Press Secretary for then-Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp from 2012-2015.  Thomas also served as a contract consultant to Kemp’s office from 2016-2018. In this role, he helped develop and execute the “SEC Presidential Primary,” which gave the region a voice like never before in the 2016 Presidential election cycle.

Thomas lives in Buckhead with his wife Jenn and their young twins -- son Michael and daughter Paige.  

“Garst Thomas Public Affairs is a firm that can offer the resources and corporate accountability that much larger firms offer, while being lean, nimble and efficient for our clients,” said Thomas.  “I am proud to be a partner in this venture as Governor Brian Kemp begins implementing his ‘Georgia First’ agenda.

Cynthia Studdard Garst founded the Firm in 2001, focusing on the practice of state, local and national government affairs and strategic relations services.  Clients include -- but are not limited to-- Chevron Corporation, Teradata Corporation, Jacobs Engineering and Acadia Healthcare. Garst has an extensive background at the state and national levels.

###

inquiries:

info@garstthomaspa.com