Alabama native named as one of Washington’s top lobbyists

This week, one of D.C.’s top publications, “The Hill”, released its annual list of the top lobbyists in Washington for 2023. Among that list sits Alabama native Marty Irby.

Irby, Founder and President of Capitol South, has made the list three times prior to this year. He’s a native of Mobile and graduate of the University of South Alabama and UMS-Wright Preparatory School.

“I am deeply honored to have been named as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for the fourth time and am truly grateful to our clients and every organization we lobbied on behalf of over the past year,” said Irby “While 2023 has been a very challenging rollercoaster we never took our foot off the gas and have doubled down in our work ethic and efforts to achieve results for our clients.”

Irby was honored by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2020 for his work with Monty Roberts, “the Man Who Listens to Horses,” to advance legislation that would better protect American equines, and recognized by former President Donald J. Trump in 2019.

Jonathan Buttram, President of the Alabama Contract Poultry Growers Association, shared praise for Irby’s work in D.C.

“We’ve made great strides in 2023 by advancing legislation to reform USDA’s scandal-ridden checkoff programs thanks to Marty Irby,” he said.

“American family farmers are in peril thanks to checkoff dollars that flow through organizations like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Pork Producers Council that continue to put producers out of business, but we stand a fighting chance thanks to the team at Capitol South.”

Another notable individual Irby has worked with during his time in Washington is Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue.

“Marty Irby’s dedication and hard work as a lobbyist has been instrumental in securing dozens of appointments for me with key leadership in the House and Senate,” said Baskin, who worked with Irby to get the the Big Cat Public Safety Act signed into law last year. “His expertise and tenacity have been invaluable in passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act and I am incredibly grateful for his tireless efforts.”

Irby has lobbied for several different groups including FreedomWorks, Competitive Markets Action (CMA), the Alabama Contract Poultry Growers Association (ALCPGA), Farm Action, Animal Wellness Brands, and the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.