Mr. Perry brings more than 18 years of political experience in agriculture, environmental issues and appropriations. Mr. Perry was one of the original founders of Cornerstone. He manages a diverse portfolio of clients including municipalities, conservation and wildlife organizations, health organizations, and a range of agriculture related clients. Prior to his work at Cornerstone, he served as a Vice President at a large government relations firm in Washington, D.C. In that capacity, he managed a number of client issues including leadership responsibility for the firm’s oldest client, a large farm-owned cooperative and major juice manufacturer. On their behalf, he helped secure federal research funding at NIH, a marketing order to reduce historical crop surpluses, and procurement of the cooperative’s products in USDA feeding programs. He also represented the nation’s largest fresh fruit and vegetable distribution network, a chemical industry trade association, a major auto manufacturer and a number of hospitals and colleges. Mr. Perry served at the National Cotton Council of America for eight years as the cotton and textile industry liaison with Congressional and Executive branch offices to inform and educate key decision makers on industry issues. Additionally, he was the main cotton industry representative responsible for development and implementation of $8.2 billion crop insurance reform legislation and managed a joint cotton industry/Monsanto sponsored Congressional Education Program to educate Members of Congress and staff about cotton issues ranging from planting to textile production and marketing. Prior to serving on the Cotton Council, Mr. Perry served as the Field Coordinator for a congressional campaign. From 1989 to 1992 he served as Legislative Assistant, Special Assistant and Projects Coordinator for the same U.S. Representative, where he was responsible for legislation on a wide range of issues including agriculture, transportation, environment, international trade and small business. Mr. Perry maintains his technical expertise and industry contacts on Capitol Hill through his membership in the Commodity Club of Washington, D.C. and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. Mr. Perry earned a B.A. in Speech Communication from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. The son of a farmer whose operation has been in the family since 1830, Mr. Perry is part owner in the family’s diversified cattle, row crop and landscape tree farm in Moultrie, Georgia.