When Conway-based durable medical equipment supplier Finnegan Health found out it was going to be negatively impacted by a bill passed by the legislature in 2023, CEO Todd Ross made one call — to Steve Goode, principal at Natural State Consulting & Strategies.
“Steve has a reputation as a problem solver in Little Rock,” Ross said. “Engaging with Steve’s firm gave us a voice with state agencies and with the legislature. They delayed the implementation of an agency rule for nine months that would have had a negative impact on our business, and we now have a plan to remedy the issue in the 2025 regular session. Having the firm on my side gives me peace of mind for future unanticipated issues.”
For many businesses, addressing even small issues with state or federal government agencies can seem an impossible task with an uncertain path to resolution. As a government relations firm, Natural State utilizes relationships to cut through the red tape of government bureaucracy. From leading meaningful conversations with state and federal decision makers, to amending state law, to organizing coalitions, to economic development, Natural State has a wide array of tools to help clients overcome the hurdles they face in being successful.
“Steve has worked at the highest levels of state government but he is a small business owner first. That’s a key difference about Natural State Consulting. He thinks like a business owner and understands the opportunities and threats that exist within government,” said Jamie Gates, executive vice president of the Conway Development Corporation and the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Thanks to Kevin Bacon, everyone has heard of six degrees of separation, but in Arkansas, we know that it’s normally about a degree and a half,” Goode said. “Building relationships is at the core of what we do. We have a great team and an expansive network, especially in Conway and that puts us in a unique position to advocate for Conway-area businesses both in Little Rock and Washington, D.C.”
The Natural State team has been all-hands-on-deck recently, working on multiple issues for Conway area businesses. Besides the issue Finnegan Health faced, the team has assisted Green Bay Packaging in overcoming a few unique challenges that have led to its recent announcement of a plant expansion in neighboring Conway County.
Natural State also represents the Concrete Pavement Association, with Weaver Bailey Contractors being a vital member. Don Weaver, CEO of Weaver Bailey Contractors, said of Natural State, “Steve and his team have delivered clear results for us and the concrete pavement industry in Arkansas. Their relationships with ARDOT have given us an important seat at the table in ensuring our state highways are safe and built to last.”
The list doesn’t stop at those three. Leading the Arkansas Retailers, Natural State has worked with state Attorney General Tim Griffin to combat organized retail crime for association members Harps, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Walgreens, and Tractor Supply. Other local clients include Cypress Valley Meat Company, Conway Development Corporation, Starkey Family Construction, and the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association, comprised of many local fuel stations and wholesale fuel dealers.
While most of their work is performed in Little Rock, where they represent 26 total clients, the Natural State team has a history of being firmly centered around Conway. Goode founded Natural State in 2021 after leaving Governor Hutchinson’s administration as the administrator over ABC, Tobacco Control, Medical Marijuana, and Racing and Gaming. He is a local business owner of Goode’s Cash Saver in Damascus and Clinton, owns a small cattle and hay operation in Vilonia, is a former Faulkner County Quorum Court member, worships and teaches at Vilonia First Baptist Church, and has been the voice of the Vilonia Football Eagles for 17 years.
Exponential growth led him to hire Tyler Lachowsky in 2023. A St. Joseph High School graduate, Lachowsky has a background in emergency management, earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Central Arkansas, and serves on the Faulkner County Quorum Court. Caitlyn Hiland joined the team in late 2023 after working for Senator John Boozman in D.C. Through her father’s service as former Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney, Hiland knows what it means to serve the community she loves. The team added an administrator in September — Mandy Miller, of Maumelle — who worked for the state of Arkansas for 26 years and “has been a ‘tremendous asset’ to the team,” according to Goode.
“When we have an opportunity to help a business in our community, it makes it extra special for us because this is our home. Faulkner County has been good to us, and we want to be good to it,” Goode said. “We have a great group of legislators representing Faulkner County that all are very attentive to the needs of their constituents and that makes it easy for us to work with them on issues that impact our community.”
In today’s dynamic business environment, staying ahead of regulatory and statutory changes is essential for success. Natural State Consulting & Strategies uses strong relationships and local expertise to deliver results that help businesses succeed.