# David Barnhart

> David Barnhart is the founding partner and chief executive officer of LSG, the Washington-based communications and public affairs firm he founded in 2008. A former political campaign strategist raised on a dairy farm, he has built a career connecting community voices with national advocacy, corporate reputation and research.

- **Role:** Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer at LSG
- **Organizations:** LSG (formerly Locust Street Group), Dewey Square Group, John Kerry presidential campaign
- **Education:** Virginia Tech
- **Known for:** Founded LSG in 2008., Led LSG during its growth from 25 to 54 employees between 2021 and August 2023., LSG was selected for the 2024 PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 100.

## Career timeline

- **2004** — Managed the western 52 counties of Iowa for John Kerry’s presidential campaign and hired organizer Joe Maloney.
- **After the 2004 campaign** — Joined Dewey Square Group; Maloney subsequently worked alongside him there.
- **2008** — Founded Locust Street Group.
- **2022** — Announced the change from Locust Street Group to LSG on October 24.
- **2023** — LSG reported growth from 25 employees in 2021 to 54 and signed a 21,500-square-foot headquarters lease.
- **2024** — Added research partner Yoni Gedan and communications partner Erin Billings.
- **2025** — Appointed Teal Baker to the newly created managing director role.
- **2026** — Promoted LSG’s The 250 storytelling initiative and was recognized alongside Kevin Ford as an 1856 Society athletics donor at Maryland.

## Achievements

- Founded LSG in 2008.
- Led LSG during its growth from 25 to 54 employees between 2021 and August 2023.
- LSG was selected for the 2024 PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 100.
- Recognized with Kevin Ford in April 2026 as the youngest donors supporting athletics in the University of Maryland’s 1856 Society.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Publicly promoted The 250, LSG’s American storytelling network, in connection with Independence Day.
- **2026-05** — Discussed hiring Joe Maloney and organizing western Iowa in a GGB Magazine profile of Maloney.
- **2026-04** — Maryland Athletics recognized Barnhart and Kevin Ford as 1856 Society donors supporting the Director of Athletics Fund.

## Links

- Website: https://teamlsg.com/people/david-barnhart/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barnhart-b9681726/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-barnhart
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-06