David Rancourt

rancourt@sostrategy.com
Tallahassee, FL

David Rancourt is co-founder of Southern Strategy Group and the United States Strategy Group companies.  United States Strategy Group companies comprise 17 governmental affairs entities located across the United States.  David holds a B.S. degree in Economics from the Florida State University where he was active in many student activities including:  Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (President), Order of Omega, Omicron Delta Epsilon National Economics Honorary, Student Senate and the 1984 FSU Seminole football team.  David also holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida with a certificate in Political Campaigning.

David began his professional career in the world of campaign politics, serving as campaign manager for Congressman Mike Bilirakis and Secretary of State Jim Smith’s campaign for Governor.  David also worked for Direct Mail Systems in commercial marketing and political fundraising.  Following his work as a political campaign professional, David served as an appointee in Florida state government:  David’s experience includes service as Director of the Florida Division of Elections and as Deputy Secretary of State (1995-1998).  David served as Appointments Director for Governor-Elect Jeb Bush’s transition effort and continued to serve Governor Bush as his first Deputy Chief of Staff.  David was appointed by Governor Bush and served a four year term on the Florida Elections Commission (1999-2003) adjudicating complaints and interpreting Florida’s campaign finance laws.  

David helped launch Southern Strategy Group after leaving government service in 1999.  As the Managing Partner of Southern Strategy Group’s Tallahassee office during its first 10 years of operation as well as one of two leaders of its national expansion effort, David helped Southern Strategy Group grow to become one of America’s most prominent and powerful lobbying firms with offices throughout the United States.  The firm represents a client base of over 300 independent companies.  David has led and secured major victories on many significant lobbying and public affairs efforts during his career.  These successes include mining permits, economic development initiatives, large land transactions and many other projects throughout Florida.  While growing Southern Strategy Group, David served as the chief campaign consultant to Charlie Crist’s successful campaign for Education Commissioner in 2000 and continued to support Crist in both his successful campaigns for Attorney General and Governor.  David also served as the chief political consultant and strategist on Charles Bronson’s successful 2002 and 2006 campaigns for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.  David was also a statewide co-chairman of the Republican Party of Florida’s finance committee for two years.  David has and continues to serve as an informal advisor to many candidates for public office and remains involved in many political campaigns and fundraising efforts for both candidates and issues at the local, state and national level. 

David currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program and as Vice President of the Board of Directors of The Florida Center for Performing Arts and Education.  David serves on the Board of Directors of the FSU Seminole Boosters and is an avid volunteer and financial supporter of the Leon Lacrosse program.  David is passionate about youth sports and has spent many hours coaching through the YMCA sports programs, the Big Bend Pop Warner Football Association and Holy Comforter Middle School Boys Lacrosse program.  David served in the Florida Army National Guard and was awarded the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Company in Basic Training.   He and his wife Regan Rancourt have been married for 18 years and are the proud parents of a 15 year old son, Wyatt, who attends The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ and a 13 year old daughter, Gabrielle who attends the Holy Comforter Episcopal School in Tallahassee.