Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about when outside help is useful, who does the work, and how we coordinate with your team.
When to hire JD Key
When should a company hire JD Key?
Bring us in when a local decision needs more time, relationships, or another credible voice than your team can provide on its own. We help before opposition develops, after a setback, and when a company faces different concerns across several jurisdictions.
What is your focus?
Texas local government and public affairs. We work with companies facing city, county, and district decisions, and can include state or federal assistance when the issue calls for it.
How is this different from lobbying or public relations?
There is overlap, and many firms offer more than one discipline. JD Key emphasizes local conversations, constituent support, independent judgment, and personal public advocacy. We agree on responsibilities with your lobbyists, public relations professionals, and other advisers.
The people
Who does the work?
James Dickey leads client strategy. Blake Sbrocco is Vice President and works directly with clients on local outreach and public affairs. Both bring their experience to the engagement and work alongside your existing team. No associate takes over your file. Either James Dickey or Blake Sbrocco may lead a matter.
What do James and Blake personally do?
We speak with officials and residents, assess support and opposition, help willing constituents contact their own officials, and track outreach. We also give interviews, write opinion articles, deliver testimony, and recruit others willing to speak publicly.
How does public-service experience help?
James serves on the board of Cypress Ranch Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. Blake serves on the Bee Cave City Council and the Texas Municipal League Small Cities Advisory Council for Region 10. He is a director of the Bee Cave Development Corporation, the city's economic development corporation (https://edc.beecavetexas.gov/). That experience informs their judgment about local decisions. Their public duties remain separate from client work.
Working together
What does an independent voice mean?
We bring outside judgment, our own experience, and a different way to explain the issue. We can challenge assumptions and test how a public case is received. Our advocacy is professional work for the client; residents who choose to participate speak for themselves.
Can you work with our existing advisers?
Yes. Your team knows the business. We coordinate with counsel, technical specialists, lobbyists, and public relations professionals so the public case stays consistent and local feedback reaches the people who can act on it.
What should we tell you first?
Start with the location, what you want to accomplish, the timing, and the concerns you have heard. We will discuss where outside help could add value and define the scope together.
Do you work with companies based outside Texas?
Yes. Companies headquartered elsewhere hire JD Key for local decisions in Texas. We also discuss assignments involving several jurisdictions and agree on the geographic scope at the start.
Related pages
Local government and public affairs
The main offering.
Before a local decision
Listen and build support early.
When a proposal meets opposition
After a rejection or a delay.
Across cities and counties
One project, several decisions.
Why companies need local public affairs
When a capable team still needs another messenger.
Government affairs and lobbying
Where local work fits beside a lobbyist.
Local public affairs and public relations
What each team is asked to do.
About the firm
James Dickey and Blake Sbrocco.
Tell us where the decision stands
James Dickey leads strategy. Blake Sbrocco, Vice President, is part of the work.
Contact the firm