Austin, TX – Top Texas government-relations firm Mike Toomey & Associates announced today that Will McAdams has joined the firm as a partner alongside Mike Toomey and Carrie Simmons. McAdams, formerly a Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) Commissioner, will begin his new role with the firm on February 1, 2024.
“Will McAdams has proven himself as a battle-tested leader and an innovator in the face of a crisis,” Toomey said. “Mike Toomey & Associates is confident that Will can deliver clearheaded and solid advice to our clients and bring diversified expertise, increasing the depth and scope of our firm. Will brings the unique experience of working in all facets of state government: House, Senate, and regulatory.”
With 17 years of experience in public service at both the federal and state levels, McAdams was appointed to the PUC by Governor Greg Abbott in response to Winter Storm Uri and the 2021 Texas grid event. McAdams’ leadership was instrumental in fortifying Texas’s power infrastructure by implementing stringent weatherization standards for electric facilities, laying the groundwork for the nation’s most rigorous power-plant-weatherization program. Additionally, McAdams introduced the first-of-its-kind Aggregated Distributed Energy Resource Pilot Program, allowing virtual power plants to contract with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and contribute surplus power to the grid’s backup services.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my state and country,” McAdams said. “In this partnership with Mike Toomey—a known master of the lobby trade—and Carrie Simmons—an ardent and astute government affairs expert—I will take my decades of expertise and pair it with a team of professionals known for delivering results and sound strategy.”
Prior to his appointment to the PUC, McAdams was President of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, a statewide trade association representing over 1,600 operating in both commercial and industrial construction within Texas.
McAdams also worked in various senior staff roles in the Texas Legislature over 11 years, including serving as the Advisor to the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives for Business & Regulated Industries. Additionally, McAdams served as director for the Senate Business & Commerce Committee, developing legislation to deploy 5G telecommunication service throughout Texas (S.B. 1004) and overseeing all bills related to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as telecommunication services, property and casualty insurance, health insurance, banking, alcohol regulations, and occupational licensing regulations. He also served as the deputy director for the Senate Natural Resources Committee and legislative director and media relations director for several state senators.
Prior to working in state government, McAdams served for four years as an infantry officer in the United States Army, serving overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and retiring honorably as a captain.
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About Mike Toomey & Associates
Mike Toomey & Associates is a full-service lobbying and government-relations firm that provides a comprehensive state-advocacy approach. Our services include legislative lobbying; administrative lobbying; strategy development; grassroots organization and mobilization; internal and external communications; and political strategy, advice, and counsel.
Since its formation, Mike Toomey & Associates has grown its client portfolio to include an impressive list of Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Energy Transfer, Tesla, Merck, Liberty Mutual, AES Corporation, Anheuser-Busch, and Las Vegas Sands Corporation, as well as numerous other companies, associations, and government entities.
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