Ballast Research

CG Petsky Prunier Advises Ballast Research in its Sale from National Journal to Falfurrias Capital Partners

Policy Insights Firm is Poised to Lead in Stakeholder and Reputation Management

CG Petsky Prunier is pleased to announce it has advised policy insights firm Ballast Research, a leader in stakeholder and reputation management, on its sale to Falfurrias Capital Partners, a Charlotte-based private equity firm focused on investing in growth-oriented, middle-market businesses. Ballast was previously owned by National Journal Group, a division of Atlantic Media.

Ballast Research is an independent, non-partisan team of consultants, researchers, and former policymakers who are passionate about driving more effective policy engagement and communications. The company provides direct feedback from senior policymakers to government relations professionals and corporate executives, helping advocates make better use of policymakers’ time. Ballast’s annual surveys, interviews, and consulting work are well-established in Washington, D.C. and have been expanding into the state and global policy landscape.

Ballast was founded in 2013 by National Journal as part of its evolution from solely a non-partisan media company to an innovative information services firm with ideal solutions for government affairs professionals. In 2015, National Journal brought on Mike Gottlieb, president and general counsel of Ballast, to grow the division into an independent operation. Since then, Ballast has taken a leading position in supporting and advancing the world’s most effective policy conversations both inside and outside the Beltway.

As part of the acquisition, David Bradley, chairman and owner of National Journal, will remain as a key investor in the company, and Mike Gottlieb will continue to lead Ballast Research, working with Falfurrias Capital Partners to continue delivering data-driven insights for policymakers and to expand the firm’s support for stakeholder and reputation management. Falfurrias Capital Partners executives Joe Price and Geordie Pierson will serve as board members along with the firm’s senior advisors, Beth Comstock and Alexander Jutkowitz.

Falfurrias Capital Partners is a Charlotte-based private equity investment firm founded in 2006 by Hugh McColl Jr., former chairman and CEO of Bank of America, Marc Oken, former CFO of Bank of America, and managing partner Ed McMahan. The firm is focused on acquiring or investing in a diverse portfolio of growth-oriented middle-market companies. By leveraging the extensive strategic and operational experience and business relationships of the firm’s principals, Falfurrias Capital Partners is positioned to be a value-added partner for both its portfolio companies and its limited partners.

CG Petsky Prunier, with a team led by Sanjay Chadda, John Prunier, and Peter Sullivan, served as exclusive financial advisor to Ballast Research and Atlantic Media.