Phone: 662.719.4692
Southern Consulting Associates:
Where Success Is A Habit.
At Southern Consulting Associates, Inc., we
stand at the intersection of old-fashioned hard
work and the latest institutional knowledge.
Here, successful results matter. Trusting us
with your business means gaining a partner who is well-equipped to win for you, using proven
skills realized through years of experience.
Ray named to Mississippi Top 50 for second consecutive year.
From the routine to the complex, Southern Consulting can help you navigate the unpredictable and sometimes confusing world of state and local government to
achieve your organization’s goals.
Public Policy • Government Relations • Business Consulting • Lobbying
Sandy Ray
Chief Executive Officer
Sandy S. Ray is a registered lobbyist and government relations professional with nearly 25 years of experience navigating Mississippi’s legislative and regulatory landscape. She is the founder and CEO of Southern Consulting Associates, Inc., a firm she established in 2004 to provide strategic advocacy and policy guidance for clients across a wide range of industries.
Known for her strong relationships with legislators, state agencies, and key stakeholders, Mrs. Ray represents clients on a broad spectrum of legislative and regulatory matters before state government. Her work has included issues such as insurance, economic development, state bond acquisition, agency operations, and other complex governmental matters, as well as policy areas including agriculture, banking, retail, judiciary, and taxation. She is known for her deep understanding of state government and for helping clients align immediate legislative priorities with long-term policy strategy through thoughtful, results-driven advocacy.
Mrs. Ray previously served for 12 years as Chief of Staff at the Mississippi Department of Insurance, where she worked closely with policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to advance legislative and regulatory initiatives.
A native of Cleveland, Mississippi, she has also held leadership roles in nonprofit and public service organizations and has been recognized among Mississippi’s leading government relations professionals, including being named an MSTop50 honoree in 2020 and 2022.
Public Policy • Government Relations • Business Consulting • Lobbying
Public Policy · Government Relations · Business Consulting · Lobbying
Southern Consulting Associates ensures your organization a plan tailored to your specific needs. The goal is almost always the same, but the process can vary greatly; SCA takes a flexible approach knowing that is always what's necessary in order to achieve each client’s goals and to advocate on their behalf.
Every day, governments make decisions with far reaching implications that impact businesses, industries, cities and counties. Having a state lobbying presence is a critical component in advocating to important stakeholders, and having the right lobbyist will ensure timely responses to government actions impacting your organization. We facilitate successful results such as bonds for economic development projects and other types of state funding, or positive regulatory changes.
Our plan for you will be individualized, specific, and dynamic. Whether you need board room and human resource strategies, assistance passing, amending or defeating legislation, we are the firm you want on your side.
Testimonials
US SENATOR, Cindy Hyde-Smith
“Sandy Ray has always been a solid political resource for me. She’s a hard worker and diligent in seeking successful results. Well respected.”
MS Commissioner of Insurance and
State Fire Marshal, Mike Chaney
“I have called her ‘shortstop’ since she came to work for me. That nickname is perfect for her because, one, she is short, but really I call her that because there isn’t much that gets past her.” “Sandy will succeed at whatever she sets her mind to. I have no doubt about that. I have seen her decision-making abilities, and she will decide what needs to be done and then go straight ahead to accomplish it.” - The Cleveland Current Newspaper
Marty Stuart, Multiple Grammy Award winner,
American Country Music Singer-Songwriter
“Collaborating with Sandy Ray and her firm to help the Congress of Country Music project seek and secure state bond funds was truly a game changer. She worked so hard for us. She put her heart into the task and I suspect she would do the same for anybody she chose to work with. I have no doubt that we will be calling upon Sandy Ray for years to come.”
Transportation Commissioner (Central District),
“I have known Sandy since she first appeared in our state capitol over 20 years ago. She has worked her way up with integrity. She is absolutely one of the most trustworthy lobbyists and public policy professionals in Mississippi. We have all depended on her knowledge and guidance at some point. I am glad to know her and call her friend.”
"Today’s lobbyist must have a firm grasp of their client’s industry and objectives and be able to identify and then find legislative allies to reach a win/win solution. It’s not just about cozying up to legislators and buddying around with them. To be effective you have got to be educated on the issues and maintain the trust of an elected official when they come to you about an issue.” - Sandy Ray, Delta Business Journal, November 5, 2020
Sandy Ray named to the 2022 Mississippi Top 50 in the
Lobbying Category
"Mississippi Top 50 is an annual list of the people who are judged to be the most influential leaders in the state. This bipartisan selection of leaders comes from the ranks of elected and appointed officials, economic development professionals, business, media and government affairs." -For full article, click here -
Sandy Ray named to the 2020 Mississippi Top 50 in the
Lobbying Category
"Mississippi Top 50 is an annual list of the people who are judged to be the most influential leaders in the state. This bipartisan selection of leaders comes from the ranks of elected and appointed officials, economic development professionals, business, media and government affairs." -For full article, click here -
Sandy Ray is Moving MS Politics
"Sandy is a very intelligent, highly motivated, respected, charismatic rainmaker" - Mike Chaney, Bolivar Bullet, November 25, 2020
-For full article, click here -
"Lobbyist: Legislative Update" by Sandy Ray
-For full article, click here -
"Legislators Tour Renovated Ellis Theater"
News
Mississippi Legislative
and Regulatory Resources:
Official Web Site of the State of Mississippi
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann
Mississippi Secretary of State
Mississippi Department of Education
Mississippi Division of Medicaid
Mississippi Department of Health
Mississippi Department of Insurance
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Mississippi Department of Revenue
Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Mississippi Public Service Commission
Mississippi Transportation Commission
"One of the finest compliments I have ever been given came recently from a very influential legislator who told me, ‘You just have a gift to get others to see all sides of the issue, and you are able to do so in a friendly manner without attacking or being misleading. I have worked with very few in all my years who are able to conduct themselves that way and get the results you do.' " - Sandy Ray
Strong track record. Proven results. If success matters to you, give us a call.