COLUMBIA, S.C.-Cornerstone Government Affairs, an employee-owned bipartisan government relations, strategic communications and consulting firm, announced today the opening of a Columbia, South Carolina office, marking the 13^th state in which the company maintains a physical presence.

Daniel Boan will launch Cornerstone's South Carolina presence following nearly 15 years at the South Carolina House of Representatives. Boan served as Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel for the Ways and Means Committee, where he led a team of 10 responsible for advising the committee on the drafting of the state's annual budget and on legislation related to tax, fiscal policy and administration of state government. He served as Chief of Staff for four chairmen, including the current Speaker of the House Murrell Smith prior to his election to the speaker's office.

"Our clients find tremendous value in Cornerstone's comprehensive government relations and public affairs services, which allow us to work on their behalf in Washington, in state capitals and in communications advocacy. We are excited to continue our growth by expanding into South Carolina," Cornerstone President Campbell Kaufman said. "Daniel is a first-class addition to our team and will undoubtedly help us navigate this new market."

Prior to serving as Chief of Staff, Boan also served as a Budget Director and General Counsel, acting as the lead staffer on the development, passage and implementation of the state's then-$26 billion budget. Additionally, he served as a Staff Attorney & Budget Analyst, focusing on economic development, capital improvement and tax legislation.

Previously, Boan served as an Attorney and Consultant for Strategic Consulting Services LLC, which he founded in 2005, where he advised clients on legal matters, policy, communication and strategy.

"Cornerstone is a firm with a national reach, sterling reputation and a philosophy of teamwork and collaboration - all of which allow the firm to serve its clients exceptionally well," Boan said. "Cornerstone's expansion into South Carolina comes at a time when the state's population and economy are expanding rapidly, and I am excited to join a dynamic team known for professional competency and successful advocacy."

Boan holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law, is a member of the South Carolina Bar, and received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Political Science Minor from the University of South Carolina.

The South Carolina office adds to the firm's growing footprint nationwide. The addition of South Carolina adds to the firm's presence in early presidential nominating states, including Iowa and New Hampshire. Cornerstone maintains other office locations in Washington, DC, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas.

For more information on Cornerstone and the firm's service offerings, please visit www.cgagroup.com.