Gibson McKay

A nationally recognized, award winning public affairs and government relations professional, Gibson McKay is a pre-eminent political strategist, campaign authority and lobbyist.

The architect of more than 150 successful initiatives, referendums and candidate campaigns at the state, local and national level, McKay achieves results by safely guiding his clients through treacherous political terrain.

Prior to launching Sherpa Public Affairs, he was a founding Director of Veridus, one of Arizona’s most prestigious government relations lobbying firms. His work includes public affairs, legislative analysis, public opinion surveys, advertising/communication and overseeing the execution of complex communication/lobbying and campaign strategies.

Before leveraging his public affairs acumen to help Veridus gain a sterling reputation, he served as Maricopa County Chief of Staff and later as Director of Government Relations and Communications for Maricopa Integrated Health System. As director of HighGround Public Affairs division, McKay helped the firm become what it is today. Gib, as he is known, operated as Director - lobbying on behalf of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona.

Shaping his philosophy, McKay cut his teeth working for Arizona’s senior statesman, former United States Senator John McCain. Shuttling between Arizona and Washington, D.C. for most of the ‘90s helped McKay understand the power structure inside the beltway. McKay served Senator McCain’s presidential bid as his “whip” during the Republican National Convention in 2008.