Our Team
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Principal
Jeff has been involved in Virginia policy and politics for more than twenty years. He created Capitol Square Strategies after serving as a partner in the Virginia Government Relations practice of a top, international law firm. He previously served as a senior legal and policy advisor for the Governor of Virginia, and he draws on this experience to consistently deliver a unique perspective and skillset to his clients. He has also served as a top advisor to an Attorney General, members of Congress, and candidates for statewide office.
He is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals and focuses on representing clients before the Virginia General Assembly, Executive branch agencies, and Virginia local governments.
Jeff has significant experience drafting legislation, creating and implementing legislative strategies, testifying before legislative committees, lobbying legislators and other government officials, and developing creative solutions to help solve problems with state and local government. He has been instrumental in the passage of hundreds of pieces of legislation.
He is a graduate of William & Mary for undergraduate and law degrees. He has regularly been recognized by Virginia Business magazine as Legal Elite for Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative Law and selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Government Relations Practice.
He and his wife, Katie, have two young boys who keep them constantly on their toes. They enjoy traveling every corner of the Commonwealth and enjoying all Virginia has to offer.
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Vice President
sarah@capsquarestrategies.com
Sarah Graham Taylor brings more than 25 years of experience in legislative affairs, policy development, political strategy, and strategic communications. Her diverse career includes working as an advisor, strategist, and advocate across local and state government, the non-profit sector, private industry, and political and issue campaigns.Most recently, Sarah served as the Assistant City Manager and Legislative Director for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. In this capacity, she acted as the City’s lobbyist to the General Assembly, led the City’s intergovernmental affairs efforts, and oversaw departments responsible for communications, public information, and tourism.
Sarah is skilled at developing and executing proactive, and reactive, government relations strategies on a broad range of issues. She excels at negotiating intricate legislative details to promote her clients’ objectives and is dedicated to guiding others through the complexities of the General Assembly with both expertise and enthusiasm.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond, where she double majored in Political Science and Urban Studies. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Jason, and their three young children and spends much of her free time at soccer pitches and futsal courts across the Commonwealth. Sarah is an active member of several boards, including the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities and the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board.
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Vice President
Kyle brings to our clients a powerful combination of strategic leadership, deep policy insight, and distinguished legal experience. His background spans healthcare, local government, and regulatory affairs, making him an invaluable asset to our clients and partners across Virginia.
Prior to joining Capitol Square Strategies, Kyle served as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at the Virginia Community Healthcare Association, where he led strategic initiatives, legal compliance, and operations for the state’s network of community health centers.
He previously served as an employment lawyer and a local government attorney.
In addition to his professional work, Kyle is active in the community and is a committed public servant. He currently serves as a Commissioner on the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, a member of the Virginia Board of the Local Initiatives Support Coalition, and a contributor to the Virginia Department of Health’s State Health Services Plan Task Force.
Kyle is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia and William & Mary Law School.
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Director of Government Affairs
darren@capsquarestrategies.com
Darren Hays brings a background working in the Virginia General Assembly and the United States Congress. This experience has given him great institutional understanding of Virginia’s governmental agencies, legislative processes, and regulatory systems. He was an integral part of the day-to-day operations, legislation drafting, community engagement, communications/messaging, media, and event planning for each of the offices where he worked.
Darren works to monitor the political landscape of the Commonwealth to ensure clients’ interests are represented. Darren supports the team in all operations and performs research and analysis on a variety of topics.
He was elected by the citizens of Brunswick County in 2023 to serve on the Soil & Water Conservation Board and is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership Emerging Leaders Program.
Off the clock, Darren enjoys spending time outdoors in Brunswick County with his family. He also enjoys playing golf, going to the beach, playing cornhole, and occasionally playing basketball. He loves cooking and volunteering in his community.
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Government Relations Associate
maribeth@capsquarestrategies.com
Maribeth Lacy comes to Capitol Square Strategies with years of experience working in the Senate of Virginia’s Clerk’s Office. During her time with the Senate Clerk’s Office, she served in Committee Operations, Legislative Information, and Constituent Services. While working in Committee Operations, Maribeth was Assistant Coordinator of Committee Operations and clerk of several Senate Committees and Interim Commissions. Her experiences in the Clerk’s Office gave her a deep insight into the workings of the Virginia General Assembly and the legislative process in Virginia.
Maribeth was born and raised in Goochland County. After graduating from Collegiate School in Henrico County, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music from Sweet Briar College in Amherst, Virginia. During her first year at Sweet Briar, she began working in the Senate of Virginia Clerk’s Office, where she worked during school breaks until graduating, when she then moved to a full-time position there.
She is very active with her church, Second Baptist, and teaches piano and choir. She enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and two children. She is also an active licensed real estate salesperson and real estate appraiser.
Questions?
Or email direct jeff@capsquarestrategies.com