About Us

Principal:

Coretta D. Bedsole

Bedsole joined Palmetto Public Affairs, LLC as a Principal in September 2008. In October 2010 she became the Sole Principal. Prior to joining PPA, she was the owner of Progressive Lobbying Solutions, a full service lobbying firm that represented primarily nonprofits and professional and trade associations.

Bedsole served for 14 years as the on-staff lobbyist and Director of Governmental Affairs and Development for the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association (now known as the South Carolina Association for Justice). While on staff with the SCTLA (SCAJ), she oversaw the day to day operations of the association's legislative and advocacy program. She coordinated their grassroots efforts and managed their political action committee as well as raised funds for the association's operations.

She currently serves on the Medicaid Transportation Advisory Committee for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Community Advisory Board for Rice Estate, an independent and assisted living program. Other volunteer activities include currently serving as Immediate Past President of the Symphony League for the South Carolina Philharmonic, member of the Zonta Club of Columbia, South Carolina, and a volunteer for Global Volunteers, a private, non-profit, non-governmental organization engaging short-term volunteers on micro-economic and human development programs in close partnership with local people worldwide. Bedsole is a frequent speaker on subjects related to the legislative and political process.

Bedsole holds a Bachelor's degree with honors in Political Science from Winthrop University. She is the recipient of several awards for her advocacy work. Most recently she received the Senator John Heinz Memorial Award from the National Adult Day Services Association. She is married to George Johnson, a 30-year engineer with Michelin Tire Corporation. They have one son, Derrick, who works as a professional musician.

Senior Associate:

Gail R. Kinard

Kinard joined Palmetto Public Affairs, LLC in January, 2009. She has served in various positions in both the executive and legislative branches of state government. She served as the Administrative Assistant for Governor Richard W. Riley during his tenure, working in various areas of responsibility from overseeing the Governor's daily schedule, to developing and coordinating grassroots support in the Governor's successful effort to pass the Education Improvement Act. Following that, Kinard spent three years working as the Administrative Assistant to the Speaker Pro Tempore, assisting in monitoring and analyzing legislation. She began her career as a campaign aide in the Riley Gubernatorial Campaign, working in all aspects of the campaign, from organizing the candidate's daily schedule to coordinating early volunteer meetings across the state, and planning and implementing fundraisers.

Prior to returning to work in 2009, Kinard stayed home to raise her three children. She remained active in community affairs, serving as PTO President, board member and volunteer at The Women's Shelter, and volunteer with the South Carolina Nature Conservancy. She currently serves as vice president of the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics.

Kinard graduated cum laude in Political Science from Duke University. She and her husband, Ken, have three daughters.

Associate:

Philip C. Willis

Willis joined Palmetto Public Affairs, LLC in October 2010. Prior to joining PPA, Willis was the State's ARRA Administrator for the South Carolina Stimulus Oversight Task Force. He has also served as the Director of Finance for the South Carolina Public Charter School District, Director of State Budgeting and Finance for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee and Grants Administrator for the South Carolina Department of Education where he also worked on the agency's budget development and legislative issues. Prior to that, he served in the administration of Governor Carroll Campbell where he assisted in developing the education portion of the Governor's budget, researched and advised on various fiscal and policy issues as well as administering economic development grants. Willis also served in the United States Navy as a petty officer, first class. Most recently, Willis served on the Board of Stewards of the Lake Murray Sail Club.

He holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Art in International Studies.

Of Counsel:

Palmer Freeman Jr., Esq.

Freeman serves in the position of Counsel. He joined the firm after having taken time off as a lobbyist to pursue a judicial appointment. He has been active in South Carolina governmental affairs, working with the South Carolina General Assembly and with state government agencies for over thirty years. He brings a wealth of experience, to the job having represented many diverse interests before the Legislature and government agencies.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army he enrolled in the University of South Carolina's School of Law where he was on the South Carolina Law Review, a member of the law school's international moot court team and an instructor of legal writing.

He practiced law in his hometown of Fort Mill, first as a partner at the law firm of Mack, Mack & Freeman and later as a partner with the Rock Hill firm of Spencer & Spencer. While maintaining his law practice, Freeman was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he served for ten years.

At the conclusion of his fifth term in the House, he did not seek re-election but moved to Columbia where he joined a law firm and began working as a lobbyist while continuing to practice law. He opened his own law firm in 2000.

Freeman served on the Board of Trustees for Winthrop University, the former South Carolina Coastal Council, and was appointed to the Committee that drafted the South Carolina Beach Front Management Plan. He has served as a member of the governing board of the Richland County Public Defender Corporation and is currently on the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center's board of directors. Freeman has lectured on the Ethics in Government act at several legal seminars.

He is married to Dr. Jane Rankin Freeman. He has five children and three grandchildren.


Alisa G.Mosley

Mosley is founder of Association Solutions, an association and nonprofit management and consulting firm, working with non-profit organizations on strategic planning, restructuring issues, hiring strategies, workplace diversity, team buildings, assertiveness, and communication skills. She has worked with a diverse group of clients that include affordable housing, law enforcement, health care, small business, education, and legal services. Prior to founding Association Solutions, Alisa served as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association, the largest and most comprehensive professional association for law enforcement officers in South Carolina, with over 10,000 members. She was responsible for strategic planning, fiscal management, lobbying, fund raising and member services for SCLEOA. She served with numerous law enforcement organizations including the US Attorney's Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, Operation Lifesaver, the Amber Alert Coordinating Committee, the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse Prevention, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, the South Carolina Police Accreditation Council, and Crimestoppers.

In addition to her work at SCLEOA, she had eighteen years of experience in career services at the University of South Carolina. She served as president of the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Employers and the South Carolina Co-op and Placement Association. In addition, she was a keynote panelist for the National Association of Colleges and Employers Annual Conference.

Mosley has served as a presenter and consultant to numerous corporate and non-profit organizations. For ten years she wrote a weekly career issues column for The State Newspaper and has contributed articles to the South Carolina Business and Economic Review, Midlands Career Guide, and Midlands Woman. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she received bachelors and masters degrees.


Lewis M. Levy

Lewis Levy provides legislative research, bill drafting and other consulting services to Palmetto Public Affairs. Levy retired from Parker Poe Adams and Bernstein, LLP in 2009. While at Parker Poe, Levy provided advice and counsel to private sector developers with regard to the development and financing of multifamily apartment developments. He also served as bond counsel for various issuances of qualified residential rental bonds. Prior to joining Parker Poe, Levy was General Counsel for the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority. At the Authority he provided legal services to the Executive Director, Board of Commissioners and Authority staff. He drafted legislation and supervised the Authority's rulemaking activities under the Administrative Procedures Act. He also practiced law with Belser, Baker, Barwick & Toal.

Levy is a graduate of the University of SC School of Law where he was a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe and Law Review. He is the recipient of the 2009 South Carolina Housing Achievement Award and is President-Elect of the Affordable Housing Coalition of SC, Inc.