# Lanny Griffith

> Lanny Griffith (1951-2025) was a founding partner and former CEO of BGR Group, a former George H.W. Bush White House aide and assistant secretary of education. His career connected Mississippi Republican organizing with national public affairs; his civic commitments included historic preservation in Corinth, the Trust for the National Mall and educational support at Ole Miss.

- **Role:** Lobbyist, political consultant and former government official
- **Organizations:** BGR Group, George H.W. Bush administration, U.S. Department of Education, Republican National Committee, Mississippi Republican Party, Trust for the National Mall, C.A.R.E. Community Foundation, Westminster Presbyterian Church
- **From:** Akron, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Corinth High School, BBA in accounting, University of Mississippi, JD, University of Mississippi School of Law
- **Known for:** Led Bush campaign efforts that won all 10 assigned Super Tuesday state contests and all 11 assigned general-election state contests in 1988., Helped develop national education goals and worked on standards and testing under Lamar Alexander., Helped lead BGR over more than three decades.

## Career timeline

- **1969** — Met Haley Barbour through College Republicans at Ole Miss.
- **1976-1979** — Worked as a law firm associate at Freeland and Gafford.
- **1979-1981; 1983** — Served as executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party.
- **1982** — Managed Haley Barbour’s U.S. Senate campaign.
- **1984-1986** — Regional political director at the Republican National Committee.
- **1987-1988** — Southern political director for George Bush for President.
- **1989** — Sworn in January 20 as special assistant to the president; liaison to governors and statewide elected officials; helped organize the Charlottesville Education Summit.
- **1991-1992** — Nomination announced September 20, 1991 for assistant secretary of education; Senate confirmation in February 1992.
- **1993** — Joined the firm that became Barbour Griffith & Rogers, later BGR Group.
- **1998** — One of three transition directors for Florida Governor-elect Jeb Bush.
- **2000-2001** — Chaired Bush-Cheney entertainment task force and coordinated entertainment for the inauguration.
- **2004** — Member of the Bush national finance committee.
- **2008** — Helped secure the Trust for the National Mall’s official National Park Service partnership.
- **2023** — BGR celebrated his 30th anniversary and helped establish a family scholarship at Ole Miss.

## Achievements

- Led Bush campaign efforts that won all 10 assigned Super Tuesday state contests and all 11 assigned general-election state contests in 1988.
- Helped develop national education goals and worked on standards and testing under Lamar Alexander.
- Helped lead BGR over more than three decades.
- Helped found the Trust for the National Mall and secure its National Park Service partnership.
- Restored multiple downtown buildings in Corinth.
- Honored through a $75,000 Griffith Family Scholarship Endowment supporting eligible Alcorn County freshmen at Ole Miss.

## Latest updates

- **2025-05** — Haley Barbour published a remembrance of their friendship and business partnership.
- **2025-04** — Trust for the National Mall honored Griffith’s founding role and preservation support.
- **2025-03** — Griffith died March 25; BGR announced his passing March 27.
- **2024-06** — Ole Miss detailed the $75,000 Griffith Family Scholarship Endowment and eligibility for four Alcorn County high schools.

## Links

- Website: https://bgrdc.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lannygriffith

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