Meet the Team
Founder
Jay Morgan
Jay Morgan is known for building strong coalitions and advocating solutions on tough issues. In his role as a trusted advisor for some of the Fortune 500’s leading corporations and business organizations, he puts to use campaign experience and knowledge of public-sector practices to compliment J.L. Morgan clients’ business development objectives.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described him as “uber connected” and noted his success no matter which party is in charge. Politicsmagazine.com has named him as a “Top 10 Georgia Influencer” and commented, “He is at the top of his game.”
For more than 30 years, Jay Morgan has provided corporations, coalitions, candidates, and business associations with solid strategic plans for execution of public affairs tactics. He has been recruited to work on lobbying teams for his ability to form coalitions on controversial issues such as healthcare cost containment, litigation reform, criminal justice reform, state tax credits, and financial transactions.
Jay’s list of client successes is a long one. He was heavily involved in video services legislation, which passed overwhelmingly, as well as telecommunications deregulation legislation at both the federal and state levels. He successfully quarterbacked tort reform legislation dealing with successor liability relief in Georgia and provided strategic and tactical leadership in passing legislation supporting public-private partnerships (P3) to address pressing infrastructure needs.
Jay was the lead strategist in passing tax legislation that secured what is now State Farm Arena, a top-rated concert and professional sports facility, for the city of Atlanta at no cost to the taxpayers. He has twice led efforts to pass legislation that improved access to “Epi-pens” for schools and organizations such as 4H camps.
Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit instilled in him by his father and grandfather, Jay established his own firm in 1997 after serving as Senior Vice President of the former firm of Edington, Wade, and Sanders. As a consultant to more than 25 state, federal, and local campaigns and as a regional director for the 1988 George H. W. Bush for President campaign, Jay’s experience in directing strategic campaigns is unparalleled among Georgia-based public affairs consultants.
He was a senior strategist in each of the late U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s statewide campaigns and has performed key roles with former Gov. Nathan Deal (R-GA), former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), former Gov. Pete Wilson (R-CA), the late Congresswoman Tillie Fowler (R-FL), the late Congressman Mac Collins (R-GA), and numerous state legislative leaders. In his first announcement as Governor-elect, Nathan Deal appointed Jay co-chairman of the 2011 Inaugural Committee and a senior advisor to his transition team.
Jay is a board member of F.A.I.T.H. (Fight Abuse in the Home), providing free and confidential services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. As a college student, Jay worked as a counselor at Rock Eagle 4H Center and his commitment continues in service with the Georgia 4H Foundation.
Jay has held several leadership positions with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, including as chairman of the Federal Affairs Committee and the Economic Development Committee, and service the executive committee of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Council. He is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, a premier state-based think tank.
Principal
Tyler J. Kaplan
Tyler “T.J.” Kaplan has built a career applying his education and expertise to the world of public affairs and politics. Now a Principal of the J.L. Morgan Company, T.J. joined the team in 2011. As a strategic advisor to multiple Fortune 500 companies, he leverages his deep relationships with key state government decision makers, particularly in the areas of technology, healthcare, transportation, education, and utilities.
His recent work includes leadership roles in the completion of a multi-year campaign to pass tax-related legislation on behalf of heavy duty equipment rental companies; comprehensive updates to bicycle lane requirements in partnership with stakeholders representing varied perspectives; and overcoming stiff opposition to a coalition of data center companies’ effort to extend industry-related tax incentives.
T.J. got an initial taste of politics working for former Congressman Tom Price in Washington, later joining the Georgia Tech Research Institute as a policy analyst supporting a Georgia Senate committee cataloguing the state’s technological assets and developing strategic recommendations for advancing science and technology in Georgia.
His work drew the attention of Senate President Pro Temp Butch Miller, who hired him as a legislative aide to manage relations with the governor’s staff and constituents seeking to influence legislation in the General Assembly. This expanded T.J.’s experience and reputation as a successful strategist and coalition builder.
T.J. also was as an Eben Tisdale Fellow with the Computing Research Association in Washington and studied at Georgetown University’s Institute on Business and Government Affairs. He is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology.
Legislative Director
Charlotte Davis
Charlotte literally began her career in politics at the ballpark. She was working in the office of Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee as the Atlanta Braves were moving north and the county was planning the commercial development at The Battery. These projects put her face-to-face with elected officials, project stakeholders and constituents.
As the J.L. Morgan Company’s Legislative Director, Charlotte leverages relationships with influencers across Georgia on behalf of the company’s extensive list of clients and their legislative priorities.
Charlotte worked as part of the advocacy team at the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) for six years, including serving as deputy director of governmental relations. As part of the GMA team, she represented the legislative and regulatory interests of Georgia’s 537 cities before the General Assembly and various state agencies.
At GMA she also worked closely with city officials across the state to advance policy objectives on land use, zoning, public safety, utilities and telecommunications. Her political analysis and ability to build broad coalitions for these and other issues influenced the passage of key legislation impacting broadband deployment and emerging technologies, development permitting, and an expansion of the Georgia Whistleblower Protection Act to apply to local government employees in cases of workplace sexual harassment.
In 2021 Georgia Trend magazine recognized Charlotte on the “40 Under 40” list. She currently serves on Berry Alumni Council. Charlotte holds a master’s degree in Political Science from Georgia State University and an undergraduate degree from Berry College in Rome, GA.