Kirk Blalock joined the firm in 2002 after serving President George W. Bush as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Liaison. He was Bush's lead staff liaison to the U.S. business community. Since joining the firm, Kirk has focused on firm management and new client development, while providing strategic counsel to the firm's clients. Previous to his Presidential appointment, Kirk served in several key positions, including: Director of External Affairs, Philip Morris Companies Inc.; Special Assistant to Chairman Haley Barbour, Republican National Committee; and Special Assistant to U.S. Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander. Kirk served as the National Chairman for Young Professionals for John McCain during the 2008 Presidential election. He is a member the Board of Visitors of The Fund for American Studies and serves on the Board of Governors of St. Stephens and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. The Atlanta, Georgia native is a graduate of Auburn University. He and his family live in Alexandria, Virginia.