Why It Matters

ST Management Group has hired Michael Best Strategies LLC to represent its interests in Washington, registering as a new client in August. The engagement focuses on small business issues but does not identify specific legislation.

The registration adds ST Management Group to Michael Best Strategies' lobbying roster as small businesses contend with higher costs, tariffs and changes to federal tax policy.

By the Numbers

The firm's team on the ST Management Group account includes Alex Angelson, who has previously lobbied on issues involving kratom regulation, equipment manufacturing, mining, professional services, health care and education. The team also includes Brittan Specht, a senior director with previous House experience, Jason Yaworske, who previously worked for the Senate Appropriations Committee, Preston Hill, Ninio Fetalvo, Brett Ewer and Allison Blankenship.

Broader Context

Small businesses are confronting significant cost pressures. The Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey found that 42% of employer firms reported increased costs associated with tariffs as a financial challenge, while 73% reported increased costs for goods, services or wages.

The National Federation of Independent Business has prioritized issues including lowering health care costs, reducing labor mandates and cutting fuel and electricity costs as part of its agenda.

Congress also passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025, which made significant changes to business tax policy, including permanently extending the Section 199A deduction for qualified business income and permanently restoring 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying property.

The Bottom Line

The registration identifies small business as the general lobbying issue area but does not list specific legislation. That leaves the precise policy objectives behind ST Management Group's decision to hire Michael Best Strategies unclear.

Michael Best Strategies LLC registered ST Management Group as a new client on Aug. 20. Federal lobbying records confirm the registration was filed during the third-quarter reporting period. The filing represents ST Management Group's entry into federal lobbying at a time when Congress and the administration are making consequential decisions affecting small businesses, including taxes, tariffs, labor policy, energy costs and health care.

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