Why Choose French Cole Strategies?
“Having led government affairs departments for two Fortune 500 companies, I have always told my teams, ‘your most powerful tool is your government affairs firm.’ I have always been a demanding client – expecting the firms I employed to do far more than make introductions or whip votes. I expected them to be at my side planning and strategizing. I expected them to understand and care about my business objectives, and not just a monthly retainer. I have worked with some amazing government affairs firms over the years, and I have worked with some who fell short. The bottom line: I know the difference.
We founded French Cole Strategies with a simple concept – to treat the client’s business like it is our own. Should you engage with us, you will have a true partner who understands what YOU need to deliver.
We look forward to the opportunity to earn your trust and hopefully your business.”
Jason French
Partner
Meet Jason French
Jason French's Louisiana career began on the night of April 20th, 2010. When news of the tragic explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig reached him, he packed a bag for the Gulf Coast and walked into one of the biggest environmental and corporate disasters in U.S. history. Within days, he was assigned the roles of Chief Public Information Officer and Chief Government Liaison Officer at the Houma Incident Response Center. He later went on to lead the response effort in Grand Isle, Louisiana. Jason was commended by state and local elected officials for his open communications and innovative solutions to local issues.
After leaving BP in 2011, Jason went on to build the state and local government affairs department for Cheniere Energy, now one of America’s leading energy companies. As the company worked to disrupt global energy markets by exporting American liquified natural gas (LNG), Jason went to work in Louisiana. He established the company as a thought leader, engaged and philanthropic corporate citizen, and further built his reputation as an industry leader. In 2016, as Vice President of Tellurian Inc., Jason once again built a successful government and public affairs department - leading an effort to change the Louisiana Constitution to protect the state's economic growth, managing the company's pursuit of state incentives, and launching innovative philanthropic programs that benefit the community.
Throughout his years in Louisiana, Jason was on the frontlines of one of the largest corporate crises in history, shepherded through incentive packages for some of the nation's largest industrial projects, and helped establish Louisiana as a global energy leader. Outside of Louisiana, Jason has also held senior government and public affairs roles for one of the nation's largest transportation companies and one of the largest telecom infrastructure companies.
Meet Dawn Cole
Born in New Orleans and raised in Breaux Bridge, Dawn has a deep appreciation for Louisiana and its people. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Dawn began her government affairs career at Acadian Ambulance. This Louisiana company quickly grew into the largest privately held ambulance company in the United States. Dawn left Acadian in 2008 to build a successful political fundraising and event management business. Her clients included members of Congress, the state legislature, and various non-profit organizations.
In 2013, Dawn became the Director of External Affairs for The Picard Group. She helped build the boutique lobbying firm into one of the largest in the state. One of her most significant roles during this period was providing the primary public affairs support to Cheniere Energy and its efforts to build a $20 billion LNG facility in Cameron Parish.
Dawn launched Full Circle Strategies in 2017 to offer clients a new full-service solution to their government and public affairs needs. Dawn's capabilities include legislative lobbying, stakeholder outreach and coalition building, political fundraising/consulting, and initiating and managing major social\branding events for clients. She has amassed an impressive bipartisan network of political contacts throughout the state and maintains close relationships with Governor Jeff Landry, executive officials and key legislators in the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives.
Over the last few years, Dawn experienced many successes. She was instrumental in helping create the Louisiana Energy Export Association (LEEA)—Louisiana’s first trade organization specific to the liquified natural gas (LNG) industry. Dawn was also part of a small team of lobbyists that successfully passed legislation to amend the Louisiana Constitution to protect industrial projects from taxation before the completion of construction.