EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS STORY WAS CHANGED AT 7:40 P.M. SUNDAY TO ADD CHARLIE BLUNT AS U.S. SEN. ROY BLUNT'S YOUNGEST SON, CHANGING A REFERENCE TO ANDY BLUNT'S "POSITION" IN THE BLUNT FAMILY.
Two Mid-Missouri government relations firms are merging "to most effectively serve their clients."
Andy Blunt and Jim Moody announced the merger of James R. Moody & Associates with Schreimann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt (SRFB) last week, calling the result "a new strategic alliance that will expand the scope of services and capabilities for" their clients.
The combined firms will be housed at SRFB, 931 Wildwood Drive in Jefferson City, effective March 1, and will work under the SRFB name.
"This integration will create one of the most seasoned and experienced government relations firms in Missouri and increase our ability to deliver innovative, best-in-class services to our clients," Blunt, an SRFB partner who manages the firm's government relations program, said in a news release. "Our focus has always been on increasing growth and making strategic decisions to expand our range of services and benefit our clients."
On its website, srfblaw.com, the company explains its history: "Schreimann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt LLC was formed with a commitment to excellent legal service and dedication to its clients.
"The attorneys and staff at Schreimann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt LLC provide their clients with a wide array of legal services," in addition to public policy and lobbying.
The merger helps the firm expand its government-relations work, while the attorneys will continue to operate as they always have.
On its still-separate website, jamesrmoody.com, Moody and Associates notes it "is among the state's most widely recognized governmental consulting firms. In addition, Moody & Associates has produced major research reports analyzing the state's financial conditions and how proposed changes might affect the state's economy and budgets."
Moody is a former deputy Social Services director, state budget director and Missouri Office of Administration commissioner.
Blunt, an attorney, is the next-to-youngest son of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and brother of former Gov. Matt Blunt. (Charlie Blunt, 10, is the youngest son).
In the news release, Blunt said Jim Moody and his son, Chris Moody, are "highly-respected government relations specialists who have been strategic allies of SRFB in the past," and he is looking forward to growing the new practice with them.
In the same release, Jim Moody said: "Working together with Andy and his firm, we have seen tremendous synergies and are excited to combine forces.
"This alliance will create new opportunities for growth, expanded services for our clients and a continued focus on inventive strategies to affect policy change."
With their collective experience in politics and public policy, both firms are highly respected in Missouri's capital for their commitment to service and dedication to their clients, the news release noted.
The combined firm "will bring over 50 years of government relations experience with one of the deepest networks of contacts in the state," the release said.