Barney Bishop, who stepped down as president and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida last year, is one of five partners in a newly formed lobbying firm. Adams St. Advocates, named after the road that connects the governor's mansion to the Capitol, will will focus on helping businesses do business with government, according to a news release today announcing its launch.

The four other partners are:

• Robert Beck, former budget director under Gov. Charlie Crist who has also has experience working for other government agencies and legislative committees;
• Claudia Davant, a former executive with AT&T and Accenture who also served as an aide to U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond;
• David Ericks, a former police officer who also worked for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as its main lobbyist;
• Tanya Jackson, who was worked for the Navy, the U.S. Department of Defense and as legislative affairs director for the state's Department of Elder Affairs.

Jim Henry will serve as government affairs director, Candice Ericks will serve as vice president of government affairs and will lead the South Florida practice, and Marty Cassini will serve as the firm’s general counsel, the release said.

The firm will have two offices in Tallahassee and a third in Ft. Lauderdale. Click here to visit the Adams St. Advocates website.