# Smith Garson

> Smith Garson is a Washington, D.C. government affairs firm, founded in 1981 as Smith Dawson & Andrews, that helps municipalities, public agencies, associations, nonprofits and companies turn policy goals into legislative language, federal grant strategies, regulatory outcomes and government-market opportunities. Its most revealing work happens before a bill or grant notice hardens: the firm says it helped place an airport contracting method into the 2024 FAA reauthorization, supported a county in securing $41 million across housing and road projects, and advanced federal recognition of transportation demand management.

- **Founded:** 1981
- **Headquarters:** Washington, United States
- **Founders:** James P. Smith (Founder, former President and CEO; Chairman of the Board), Thomas C. Dawson (Founding partner)
- **Products:** Legislative and public-policy advocacy, Federal grants and funding strategy, Government market development, Regulatory and sector counsel, Washington fly-in support
- **Notable:** The firm says it worked with congressional offices and committee staff to add eligibility language for a modern airport contracting method to the 2024 FAA reauthorization., The firm reports helping a county secure $16 million for affordable housing after congressionally directed spending returned in 2021., The same county case study reports a $25 million 2022 RAISE grant for a roadway upgrade, bringing the two disclosed project outcomes to $41 million.

## Products & services

- **Legislative and public-policy advocacy** — Issue research, legislative drafting, committee engagement, stakeholder mapping, coalition building and representation before Congress and federal agencies.
- **Federal grants and funding strategy** — Opportunity tracking, application positioning, congressional support, appropriations strategy and post-submission advocacy for public-interest projects.
- **Government market development** — Market research, procurement strategy, introductions to public and private buyers, joint-venture partner identification and business-development support.
- **Regulatory and sector counsel** — Federal navigation in transportation, infrastructure, economic development, trade, energy, environment, public safety, education and workforce policy.
- **Washington fly-in support** — Priority setting, targeted scheduling, tailored briefing materials and follow-up for visiting officials and stakeholder delegations.
- **Political intelligence and communications** — Twice-weekly Washington updates, briefings, strategic communications and advice on policy changes and emerging federal opportunities.

## Achievements

- The firm says it worked with congressional offices and committee staff to add eligibility language for a modern airport contracting method to the 2024 FAA reauthorization.
- The firm reports helping a county secure $16 million for affordable housing after congressionally directed spending returned in 2021.
- The same county case study reports a $25 million 2022 RAISE grant for a roadway upgrade, bringing the two disclosed project outcomes to $41 million.
- For a transportation-demand-management association, the firm reports helping establish a federal TDM definition, FY2024 report language on eligible highway-fund uses and a GAO study on airport TDM.
- The company has operated since 1981 and completed a leadership and name transition from Smith Dawson & Andrews to Smith Garson in January 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — The company continued publishing twice-weekly Washington updates, with a September 18 edition promoted on its homepage.
- **2026-06** — Smith Garson helped organize the inaugural Montana Ambassadors Washington, D.C. reception with Montana civic partners and the state's congressional delegation.
- **2025-06** — The firm announced a strategic partnership with Cech Education & Government Strategies to expand higher-education advocacy.
- **2025-02** — Metroparks Toledo formally recognized the change from Smith Dawson & Andrews to Smith Garson and continued its federal government-relations contract without substantive change.
- **2025-01** — James P. Smith moved to chairman, Brett Garson became President and CEO, and the firm adopted the Smith Garson name.

## Links

- Website: https://www.smithgarson.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smithgarson
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/sdaincofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Smith-Dawson-Andrews/100067059156692/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/smith-garson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-20