Adams and Reese is pleased to announce that Kenneth A. “Kenny” Bingham (R- Lexington), immediate former South Carolina House Majority Leader and a successful Cayce, South Carolina businessman, has joined the firm as a Government Affairs Advisor (non-lawyer). Bingham will be based out of the Adams and Reese Columbia, South Carolina office and will serve as a leading advisor on the Government Relations Practice Team. Adams and Reese has a long-standing reputation as one of the region’s most prominent Government Relations firms with 16 offices in 15 markets across the southern U.S. and Washington, D.C.
The announcement was made by William P. McElveen, Jr., Chairman of the Adams and Reese Executive Committee.
“We have a dedicated, hard-working team of attorneys and government relations advisors throughout our regional footprint.” McElveen said. “The addition of Kenny will further enhance our government relations presence in South Carolina. We are very pleased to welcome Kenny and have him as a part of our Government Relations team.”
Representing District 89, Bingham served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for 16 years. During his service, he led as Majority Leader from 2008 to 2012; chaired the Ethics Committee; and was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee where he chaired the K-12 Budget Subcommittee.
“Adams and Reese has a strong reputation for its government relations presence throughout the firm’s regional footprint and as one of the region’s prominent government relations firms. I am pleased to be part of this team,” Bingham said following the announcement. “I look forward to advancing our clients’ interests before federal, state and local government[s] to accomplish their business goals within their specific industry sectors.”
Added Government Relations Team Leader and Partner Brad Lampley: “We are delighted to add someone of Kenny's background and reputation to help lead our government relations efforts in South Carolina. I believe we have one of the top government relations teams in the South, and by adding Kenny, it is taking a great team and making it even stronger. He will have a big impact for our clients.”
During his service in the House, Bingham also served on the House Labor, Commerce & Industry Committee; the Medical, Military, and Municipal Affairs Committee; and the Joint Bond Review Committee, along with presiding as finance chairman for the House GOP Caucus. Prior to being elected to the S.C. House of Representatives in 2000, he was a member of the City of Cayce Planning Commission for two years and served for four years on the Lexington School District Two Board of Trustees, including two years as chairman.
In 2003, Bingham was named “National Legislator of the Year” by the National Republican Legislators Association. In 2004, he was honored by SC Gov. Mark Sanford as a “Taxpayer Hero,” and in 2005, he was named a “Friend of the Taxpayer” by the SC Association of Taxpayers. As a State Representative, Bingham consistently earned the support of many pro-business groups including the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, which recognized him in 2010, 2013, and 2014 with their “Business Advocate Award.” In 2011, he was selected as the Chamber’s statewide “Public Servant of the Year”.
A successful businessman from Cayce, Kenny is a licensed professional engineer and co-owner of Cayce-based American Engineering Consultants, Inc. He has also worked as the executive vice president of Cayce-based Hercules Contractors and Engineers Inc. for more than twenty years. Kenny earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina in 1984.
Bingham joins a distinguished list of public service officials and former elected officials serving as attorneys and advisors throughout the firm’s regional footprint including Tennessee Senate Majority Leader, Mark S. Norris, Sr.; former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, E.L. Bubba Henry; former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Charles “Chuck” Kleckley; former Insurance Commissioner for Louisiana, Robert J. Wooley; and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, H. Lee Moffitt.
In hiring Bingham, Adams and Reese continues to strengthen its reputation as a top government relations firm. In 2015 rankings released by Southern Political Report, the firm ranked number one in the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee and among the top five in Mississippi and South Carolina on a list of leading government affairs and lobbyist firms in the South.