History of Service

Experience & Commitment

Client Services

Our Team

Foster M. (Billy) Routh III

Copper Dome Strategies, LLC

Lobbyist and Consultant

Billy Routh serves as a lobbyist and consultant for Copper Dome Strategies, LLC. He assists clients with governmental relations before the legislative and executive branches of the state of South Carolina. Mr. Routh also works closely with clients on matters involving South Carolina state agency business and procurement issues.

Prior to MORE...

JEFFREY N. (JEFF) THORDAHL

Copper Dome Strategies, LLC

Lobbyist and Consultant

Jeff Thordahl joined Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, a subsidiary of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., in December 2011 as a lobbyist and consultant. Mr. Thordahl is well-known in South Carolina government circles for his extensive experience with state and local government affairs. With experience in both the private and public sectors, MORE...

Kimberly V. (Kim) Kent

Copper Dome Strategies, LLC

Lobbyist and Consultant

Kim Kent serves as a lobbyist and consultant for Copper Dome Strategies, LLC. She is based in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s Greenville office when the South Carolina General Assembly is not in session and in the Columbia office during the session.

Ms. Kent has spent her professional career working in and around MORE...

Luther “Trey” P. Byars III

Copper Dome Strategies, LLC

Lobbyist and Consultant

Trey Byars joined Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, a subsidiary of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., in September 2022 as a lobbyist and consultant.

Prior to joining Copper Dome, Trey worked for the South Carolina Senate as Director of Research for the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and as Assistant Director of MORE...

Advocacy

Legislative and regulatory assistance with direct communication with policy makers, regulators and their staffs

Coalition Building

Grassroots development, including the identification of allies and opponents

Consulting

Analysis of the political environment, strategic planning, ethics and campaign finance compliance

Legislative Drafting

Drafting new or reviewing existing legislation for possible amendment opportunities

Monitoring and Reporting

Following relevant legislation and reporting regularly to the client on related matters

Procurement

Providing unparalleled access to state agencies for companies looking to provide goods and services to the government sector

Weekly Updates

During the legislative session, our clients receive a weekly e-newsletter called, “The View from the Dome,” that summarizes legislative action and schedules as well as challenges and/or successes that any bill or action may incur. With its timely information and candid observations our customized public policy e-newsletter has proven to be a valued guide for our clients.

Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., is organized to serve clients’ needs in the legislative, regulatory and public policy arenas. Its professional team of lobbyists and political consultants has an impressive collective background including experience with all levels of government; corporate, government and community relations; and professional trade associations.

Committed to our community and our state, the principals of Copper Dome Strategies offer diverse fields of experience encompassing governmental relations, legislative activities, crisis management, procurement, regulatory affairs, public policy, advocacy and educational initiatives. Our team is well-positioned to offer clients strategic advice that creates the best possible outcome for success.

With a thorough understanding of the inner workings of government and the relevant players we can advance any and all client issues before federal, state and local government. We can ably assist clients in identifying issues, providing political analysis, plotting short and long-term legislative strategies and capitalizing on coalition opportunities.

Established In 1887

CONTACT INFORMATION

Telephone
803.779.3080

Fax
803.765.1243

Email
info@hsbcopperdome.com

Locations
1201 Main Street, 22nd Floor
Columbia, SC 29201

ONE North Main, 2nd Floor
Greenville, SC 29601

Mail
P.O. Box 11889
Columbia, SC 29211-1889

P.O. Box 2048
Greenville, SC 29602-2048

CONTACT FORM

Billy Routh
Billy Routh
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Billy RouthBilly Routh
Foster M. (Billy) Routh III
Copper Dome Strategies, LLC
Lobbyist and Consultant
brouth@hsbcopperdome.com
DIRECT 803.540.7736
1201 Main Street, 22nd Floor
(29201)
Columbia, SC

Billy Routh serves as a lobbyist and consultant for Copper Dome Strategies, LLC. He assists clients with governmental relations before the legislative and executive branches of the state of South Carolina. Mr. Routh also works closely with clients on matters involving South Carolina state agency business and procurement issues.

Prior to joining Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, Billy was affiliated with another private consulting group in Columbia and brings more than two decades of experience in the governmental and legislative arenas. He served on the staff of the South Carolina House of Representatives, ultimately becoming Chief of Staff for the S.C. Speaker of the House. Billy was the Legislative Liaison for S.C. Governor David Beasley for four years, where he worked to advance the governor’s agenda and that of his cabinet.

He aided the late Governor Carroll Campbell for six years in several capacities, including serving as Director of Intergovernmental Relations and Transportation. He also served as the governor’s liaison to local government officials and transportation entities such as the S.C. Department of Transportation and S.C. State Ports Authority. The Columbia native also worked for the State Budget and Control Board’s Division of the Chief Information Officer as Program Manager for Strategic Communications. All of this previous experience provides Billy with a well-rounded knowledge of the governmental process and a vast network of working relationships in state government.

Prior to his government service, Billy worked in the private sector as a small business owner. He also spent a number of years as a professional drummer and traveled around the world entertaining America’s troops and families with the USO.

Billy is based in the Columbia office of Copper Dome Strategies.

INDUSTRIES
Appropriations
Business and Industry
Economic Development
Environment
Healthcare
Higher Education
Information Technology
Non-profits
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Professional Trade Associations
Tax
Transportation

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE
Government Relations Consulting, South Carolina-based law firm (2008-November 2011)
State Budget and Control Board, Division of the Chief Information Officer (2003-2007)
Chief of Staff, Office of the House Speaker (2001-2003)
Director of Constituent Services, SC House of Representatives (1999-2001)
Legislative Liaison, Governor David M. Beasley (1995-1999)
Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Governor Carroll A. Campbell (1992-1995)

AWARD
The Order of the Palmetto, 1995, 1999

Jeff Thordahl
Jeff Thordahl
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Jeff ThordahlJeff Thordahl
JEFFREY N. (JEFF) THORDAHL
Copper Dome Strategies, LLC
Lobbyist and Consultant
jthordahl@hsbcopperdome.com
DIRECT 803.540.7734
1201 Main Street, 22nd Floor
(29201)
Columbia, SC

Jeff Thordahl joined Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, a subsidiary of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., in December 2011 as a lobbyist and consultant. Mr. Thordahl is well-known in South Carolina government circles for his extensive experience with state and local government affairs. With experience in both the private and public sectors, Mr. Thordahl spent several years working in state government, held in-house positions with two Fortune 500 companies and most recently led a private consulting group based in Columbia, S.C., for seven years.

His lobbying practice concentrates on representing clients before the S.C. General Assembly, the Executive Branch including the cabinet agencies, other state agencies and local government bodies. In addition he maintains a good working relationship with several members of South Carolina’s U.S. Congressional delegation and staff members.

Mr. Thordahl has experience representing clients from various industries including energy, transportation, insurance, solid waste disposal, healthcare, information technology and professional associations. From grassroots efforts to direct lobbying, he guides clients through
the legislative process.

Prior to his experience in private consulting, he was based in Columbia, S.C., working in the governmental relations department of CSX Transportation as the vice president of public affairs for the Carolinas. In this position, Mr. Thordahl was actively involved in state issues such as general tort reform and venue reform. He also traveled the Carolinas with a primary focus on local railroad issues and economic development projects.

Mr. Thordahl previously spent several years as the in-house state government representative for SCANA Corporation, a Fortune 500 energy-based holding company headquartered in the Midlands. He led SCANA’s legislative efforts at the South Carolina State House working closely with the other electric utilities on legislative matters.

He also served as executive assistant for governmental affairs and legal counsel to South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell. His responsibilities included overseeing legislative insurance matters, serving as liaison for the governor with both bodies of the S.C. General Assembly and closely following any legislative issues with a major public policy impact.

During law school, and upon graduation, Mr. Thordahl was staff counsel for the S.C. Office of Senate Research. He worked closely with all 46 State Senators on a variety of issues, drafting legislation and working on the floor of the Senate drafting amendments to pending legislation.

Mr. Thordahl is based in the Columbia office of Copper Dome Strategies.

INDUSTRIES
Agency Regulations
Business and Industry
Economic Development
Education
Energy – Nuclear, Coal, Renewable
Environment
Federal Government
Insurance
Non-profits
Professional Trade Associations
Solid Waste and Recycling
State and Local Government
Tax
Transportation
Utilities

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE
Government Relations Consulting, South Carolina-based law firm (2008-November 2011)
Resident Vice President for State Relations for South and North Carolina, CSX Transportation (2002-2004)
Governmental Affairs Representative, SCANA Corporation (1994-2002)
Legal Counsel and Executive Assistant for Legislative Affairs, Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. (1991-1994)
Staff Counsel, South Carolina Office of Senate Research (1989-1991)

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Member, SC Bar Association (1989-present)
Chair and Member, AC Moore Elementary School Improvement Council (2000-2007)
Member, Hand Middle School, Educational Foundation (2008-2011)
Deacon and Elder, Eastminster Presbyterian Church (2007-2010; 2002-2005)

EDUCATION
University of South Carolina, School of Law, J.D., 1989
Wake Forest University, B.S. Cum Laude, Mathematical Economics, 1986

ADMISSIONS
South Carolina, 1989

AWARDS
Legal Elite of the Midlands, 2013 and 2014
The Order of the Palmetto, 1995

Kim Kent
Kim Kent
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Kim KentKim Kent
Kimberly V. (Kim) Kent
Copper Dome Strategies, LLC
Lobbyist and Consultant
kkent@hsbcopperdome.com
DIRECT 864.240.3206
ONE North Main, 2nd Floor
(29601)
Greenville, SC

Kim Kent serves as a lobbyist and consultant for Copper Dome Strategies, LLC. She is based in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s Greenville office when the South Carolina General Assembly is not in session and in the Columbia office during the session.

Ms. Kent has spent her professional career working in and around South Carolina government. Prior to joining Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, she spent four years with another private consulting group representing a variety of clients, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, professional trade associations and specific issue coalitions, on matters before federal, state and local governments.

Ms. Kent began her legislative and legal career working as the Vice President for Governmental Relations for the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA). In this role, she represented the interests of many of South Carolina’s largest companies on issues related to economic development, environment, taxes, labor and employment and healthcare, before state agencies, the Governor’s Office and the S.C. General Assembly.

Following this position, Ms. Kent served as the Governmental Affairs Director and Assistant General Counsel for the South Carolina Department of Commerce. While at the state’s leading industrial recruiting agency, she was the primary liaison for the agency between the Executive Branch and the S.C. General Assembly on all state funding matters relating to commerce, statutory changes relating to tax incentives and for any and all legislative changes needed by the agency to assist companies interested in expanding or locating new economic development projects in South Carolina.

In 2005, Ms. Kent joined the South Carolina Medical Association as the Chief Policy Officer of the statewide trade association that serves more than 6,000 physicians. During her tenure, Ms. Kent served as the association’s general counsel, directed all legislative initiatives before the S.C. General Assembly and the Executive Branch and managed the recruitment and renewal of physician memberships. She was responsible for all membership publications as well as all communications to members, the public and the S.C. General Assembly.

Combined with her legal training, Ms. Kent’s wide range of experience working in the private sector, professional trade associations and state government, gives her a unique ability to represent a variety of clients. Her areas of expertise include health care, economic development tax, environmental, transportation, rail, energy, professional associations and licensing issues, nonprofits, manufacturing, and automotive matters.

INDUSTRIES
Appropriations
Business and Industry
Economic Development
Energy
Enviroment
Healthcare
Insurance
Non-profits
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Professional Trade Associations
Tax
Transportation

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE
Government Relations Consulting, South Carolina-based law firm (2008-November 2011)
Chief Policy Officer, SC Medical Association (2005-2008)
Governmental Affairs Director & Assistant General Counsel, SC Department of Commerce (2004-2005)
Vice President for Government Relations, SC Manufacturers Alliance (2001-2004)

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Member, SC Bar Association (2000-present)
Member, Greenville County Bar Association (2008-present)
Member, SC Women Lawyers Association (2010-present)
Volunteer, American Heart Association, Upstate Chapter (2010-present)
Co-chair, Upstate Heart Ball Auction (2012-2013)
Member, Communities in Schools of South Carolina, Board of Directors (2013-present)
Member, Converse College Board of Trustees (2012-present)

AWARDS
Converse College Young Alumnae Award, 2012
Greenville’s Legal Elite 2013, Governmental Affairs

EDUCATION
University of South Carolina, School of Law, J.D., 2000
Converse College, B.A., (Political Science), 1997

ADMISSIONS
South Carolina, 2000

Trey Byars
Trey Byars
Close X
Trey ByarsTrey Byars
Luther “Trey” P. Byars III
Copper Dome Strategies, LLC
Lobbyist and Consultant
tbyars@hsbcopperdome.com
DIRECT 803.540.7831
1201 Main Street, 22nd Floor
(29201)
Columbia, SC

Trey Byars joined Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, a subsidiary of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., in September 2022 as a lobbyist and consultant.

Prior to joining Copper Dome, Trey worked for the South Carolina Senate as Director of Research for the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and as Assistant Director of Research for the Senate Transportation Committee. In these roles, Trey worked with Committee leaders on drafting new legislation and committee amendments, interacted with state agency leaders on legislation and regulatory process, met with key state industry partners and managed Committee staff and administration.

Trey has also worked as a successful campaign director for local and statewide races where he directed campaign strategy and assisted with marketing and social media strategies.

Trey received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina.