For almost two decades MDSA has worked closely with political candidates, public servants, non-profit groups and Fortune 500 companies to help them navigate the worlds of politics and government.  From political consulting to issue management, policy analysis to lobbying, MDSA has been there every step of the way providing the high quality of service our clients have come to expect and deserve.

MDSA prides itself on being more than “consultants” — we’re partners, working hand-in-hand with our clients to help them achieve their goals.  This is the quality service on which our reputation was built.  We continually set high standards for ourselves and demand excellence in all that we do.  This is the core of who we are which has allowed us to grow into one of the premier political consulting and public affairs firms.

Mike Smith

Mike’s political and corporate relations career began in January 1994 when he became the Louisiana State Director for Washington, D.C.-based Citizens for a Sound Economy. His charge was to lobby against a proposed federal take-over of America’s healthcare system.  Working across the state, Mike built grassroots coalitions and lobbied elected officials from the State House to The White House.  According to The Washington Post, the campaign was successful, in large part, to Louisiana CSE’s broad base of support on the grassroots level.

Following this assignment, Mike’s public affairs firm, MDSA Strategic Communications, client list rapidly expanded and includes politicians who have sought various local, state, and federal governmental offices as well as interest groups and Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T, Sprint, ExxonMobil, and Shell Oil Company.  MDSA has received several “Pollie Awards” – given annually by The Association of Political and Public Affairs Professionals – recognizing outstanding work in its field.

Mike’s eye for detail, public affairs acumen, and network of contacts throughout the South have well-served his corporate clients.  He recently spearheaded the public affairs portion of route selection and the stakeholder engagement planning processes for Shell Pipeline Company’s “Bengal Pipeline” – a $100 million joint venture with Colonial Pipeline Company.  He is today recognized as an official spokesman for Shell Pipeline Company’s affairs throughout its pipeline network during times of crisis.

During the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Mike served as a governmental and public affairs liaison to local, state, and federal governments on behalf of several companies including Shell, Shell Pipeline and ExxonMobil.

In early 2005, Mike founded ConnectCallUSA.com along with two business partners.  The company utilizes Internet technology to place high speed, high quality telephone calls for clients across the Nation.  ConnectCallUSA.com specializes in emergency evacuation, emergency notification, political and public affairs calls.  The company has received numerous “Pollie Awards” for its work.

Mike is a Louisiana native who graduated from Louisiana State University in 1993 with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science.  He married his wife, Heather, six months after their LSU graduation and the couple has three daughters; Laura Anne, age 12, Claire Elizabeth, age 10, and four-year old Sarah Helen.

Mike has served for the past thirteen years as the public address announcer for events inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at LSU, primarily for the nationally renowned LSU Gymnastics program.  He also donates many hours to state and national causes, including Americans for Tax Reform and the AAPC’s “First Amendment Protection Committee.”

Mike is a George F. Hixon Fellow of Kiwanis International and is a member of the Coastal Conservation Association, the East Ascension Sportsman’s League, the South Central Industrial Alliance, and the Louisiana Family Forum.  During 2009 he will serve as the President of the Board of Directors of The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce.

Chris Boudreaux

Chris Boudreaux first joined MDSA in February 2004 as a political intern and actively worked in every aspect of campaign management during the 2004 election cycle.  With the exception of a brief interruption to attend graduate school, Chris has been with MDSA since that time.  He currently serves as Project Manager.

Prior to joining Team MDSA, Chris served as President of the LSU College Republicans. Under his leadership, the organization achieved record fundraising success and membership growth with club membership totaling over 1,000 students including the distinction of being named “Best Student Organization on Campus.”

Chris is a native of Slidell, Louisiana.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science from Louisiana State University and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Suffolk University.  Chris met and married his wife Kim while attending Suffolk.

Darren Gauthier

Darren Gauthier joined Team MDSA in early 2002 as its Project Manager, overseeing the implementation of strategies that MDSA designed for its clients. Darren came to MDSA after ten years in radio where he worked in all facets of the industry from production to on-air personality. At one time, he was the youngest program director for a major market radio station in America.

In 2006, Darren returned to the airwaves as the midday on-air personality for WDGL-FM as well as the Music Director for WNXX-FM.  He remains a member of Team MDSA in an “Of Counsel” role and his expert knowledge of the broadcast media industry is often sought after.

He is a graduate of Bishop Joseph Sullivan Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and an alumnus of Louisiana State University.