Launched in fall 2016, The Nichols Group Government Relations represents the interests of corporations, associations, and individual clients from a wide and diverse range of industries and disciplines doing business in Washington State.

Troy T. Nichols

Troy’s tactical approach to advocacy – for even the most unique public policy challenges facing Northwest industries – has been shaped over nearly three decades of policy experience in the Pacific Northwest.  He specializes in providing strategic lobbying and consulting services, helping his diverse clients navigate Olympia politics and achieve their legislative, regulatory and state funding goals.

Prior to taking ownership of The Nichols Group Government Relations, Troy's broad experience gave him a unique perspective that can only come from first-hand experience over 25 years in campaigns, grassroots organization, trade association management, and serving as legislative staff:

  • As caucus staff liaison for the Washington House Capital Budget Committee, Troy helped to negotiate and pass several multi-billion dollar capital budgets during his tenure;

  • As executive officer for a five-county trade association, Troy helped stop the association's decade-long decline in membership, balanced its annual budget for two years in a row, revamped several programs and racked up an impressive string of local policy and electoral victories; and

  • As Chief of Staff to the Oregon House Majority Leader and the Speaker of the Oregon House, Troy served as strategic counsel to state leaders on the most important and sensitive issues facing the state.

Troy believes in keeping The Nichols Group Government Relations a resourceful and nimble company so that its partners can work directly with clients on their specific policy challenges. A graduate of Western Oregon University, Troy also served on the City Council in Keizer, Oregon. He lives in rural Thurston County with his wife, Julie, a real estate attorney, and their two young children.


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Brad Tower

Founder and contract lobbyist Brad Tower is a second generation governmental affairs professional with more than 20 years’ experience in contract lobbying. Well known and highly regarded among the ranks of public servants and professional staff at all levels of government, Brad brings to The Nichols Group Government Relations a passion for the public good and a thorough knowledge of the Washington legislative process.

The Olympia native has effectively advocated for a wide variety of interests in this state, including those of health care professionals and facilities, manufacturing companies, agricultural concerns, local governments, retail businesses, financial institutions, and victims of crime. Among his accomplishments are the crafting and passage of numerous pieces of legislation, including bills that:

  • Protect the franchise value of Washington’s community banks;

  • Authorize optometric physicians to prescribe oral medication for their patients;

  • Safeguard buried utilities from damage that could impact our neighborhoods; and

  • Provide for more comprehensive and effective vision screening for adults and children.

An accomplished writer and regular contributor to numerous trade publications and the media, Brad maintains a year-round presence in the state capitol, nurturing relationships with legislative and administrative agency staff members. He regularly provides testimony at public legislative hearings, as well as to rule making bodies of the state’s administrative branch. He is a recipient of the Association of Washington Business (AWB) Ron Gjerde Award for outstanding contributions to the business community by a lobbyist.

In addition to lobbying, Brad also contributes time in the community as a football coach for Thurston County Youth Football League and YMCA Flag Football, a regular blood donor, and an advisory board member for Raise for Rowyn, a nonprofit supporting families dealing with the death of a child.

A High Honors graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, the recurrent political campaign volunteer is a repeat presenter on effective advocacy strategies and the role of lobbyists in public policy at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs, the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute, and Seattle University School of Law.


Patrick Capper

Patrick is a seasoned political professional with nearly two decades of experience in Washington State, Oregon, and Washington D.C., advising both Democrats and Republicans. From private and public sector lobbying to overseeing operations for a large state agency, Patrick’s resume showcases an impressive depth in all things politics and government.

Before joining The Nichols Group, Patrick most recently served as Deputy Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). For nearly a decade, Patrick rose through the ranks at WSDA holding key policy positions where he fostered deep relationships with legislators, government officials, and other stakeholders, culminating in being appointed Deputy Director in 2017.

• Patrick led a state agency with approximately 1000 employees and a biennial budget of over $382 million. He supported the state’s $11 billion agricultural industry by leading WSDA’s Executive Team, covering food safety, disease prevention, pesticide management and commodity inspection. Notably, Patrick represented WSDA on the Forest Practices Board, where he worked to build bridges with the forest industry and the environmental community. Patrick also served as WSDA’s first Tribal Liaison to the Governor’s Office.

• Patrick enjoys a bi-partisan record of legislative accomplishment in both Washington and Oregon, first serving as staff for Oregon State House Representative Deborah Boone (D-Cannon Beach), and later spending two sessions as the Policy Advisor for the Washington House Republicans, focusing on agriculture, energy, and the environment.

• His role at The Nichols Group is a return to private sector advocacy. During his career in Oregon, Patrick represented a diverse range of clients spanning the health care, education, and renewable energy sectors as a contract lobbyist in Salem, and also served as the Director of Government Relations for the Oregon Association of Nurseries.

Known for his diplomatic approach, Patrick is recognized universally as a relationship and consensus builder. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Willamette University and is an avid outdoorsman.