CAPITOL COUNSEL ADDS WILDFIRE AND NATURAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST FIRM COLLECTIVE STRATEGIES
Phil Hardy and Matt Gall Join Capitol Counsel’s Growing Team
September 8, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Capitol Counsel announced that Phil Hardy, founder of Collective Strategies & Communications, has joined the firm as a partner, and Matt Gall has joined as a principal. Both bring deep policy knowledge and a proven track record of success in government relations, public affairs, and issue advocacy.
“Phil and Matt are the apex for wildfire and forestry intelligence issues on Capitol Hill. They are effective change agents who deliver results for at-risk communities,” said Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT).
Phil Hardy, President and CEO of Collective Strategies, brings more than 25 years of experience in lobbying, strategic communications, media relations, and public affairs. He is widely recognized as a trusted advisor to companies navigating complex federal, state, and international regulatory landscapes. Hardy offers deep expertise in detection, prevention, mitigation, and suppression of wildland fire, with an emphasis on aerial firefighting, fire retardants, and thermal imagery, both in low Earth orbit and via uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). He also has extensive experience in cloud-based AI and MI technology for forest and rangeland management, as well as reforestation, timber harvesting, and processing. His extensive network and policy acumen make him a valuable partner to clients seeking strategic results in Washington and beyond.
Before founding Collective Strategies, Hardy served as Senior Vice President in the Washington office of Strategies 360, leading strategic engagements for clients in Washington and Idaho. He previously served as Communications Director for former Congressman Raúl R. Labrador (R-ID), the Idaho State Senate Majority Caucus, and Lt. Governor Brad Little (R-ID), where he also worked as a Policy Advisor.
Matt Gall brings over 15 years of public policy and federal advocacy experience to Capitol Counsel, with a focus on natural resources, energy, public lands, and environmental issues. Before joining Collective Strategies in 2024, Matt spent a decade with Strategies 360’s D.C. office, representing Western clients on a broad array of federal issues. He also served on the House Natural Resources Committee under Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), where he contributed to policymaking on hydropower, water rights, public power, and endangered species.
“Phil and Matt bring unique expertise and deep policy knowledge that will be tremendous assets to our clients,” said John D. Raffaelli, founder of Capitol Counsel. “Their addition strengthens our firm’s capabilities across a wide range of industries for clients operating in complex regulatory landscapes.”
Hardy added, “I am delighted to bring the unique practices of Collective Strategies to Capitol Counsel. The combination of Capitol Counsel’s strengths and our focus and dedication to solving our nation’s wildfire crisis and bringing back sensible, technologically advanced forest management will see this practice continue to grow.”
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