Tennessee government relations veterans Anna Durham Windrow and Bill Phillips have announced they are forming the Windrow Phillips Group, a new firm offering a range of services to clients with issues involving state government.

The move formalizes a strategic partnership launched almost two years ago and merges Windrow's and Phillips' practices under the same professional banner. Among the businesses and organizations Windrow Phillips represents are Amazon.com, Bank of America, CRC Health, Evergreen Packaging, Metro Government and Western Union.

"We're pleased to make this partnership official," Windrow said. "Bill Phillips brings decades of strategic experience in government and politics, and I'm looking forward to working with him in the years ahead."

For his part, Phillips added: "Anna Windrow is one of the most respected government-relations professionals working with the Tennessee General Assembly and on Capitol Hill. We make a great team."

Windrow Phillips Group is based in the Nashville City Center, overlooking the Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza. Also on board at the firm as a member is Baylor Bone Swindell, an attorney who has worked on Capitol Hill for a decade — including as legislative liaison for then-Gov. Phil Bredesen — and who helped launch Windrow's previous firm in 2005. Combined, the firm has more than 75 years of government and political experience.

Phillips brings a depth of front-line experience in politics and government, most notable locally as deputy mayor from 1999 to 2007. In addition to stints as campaign manager and press secretary, he also was chief of staff to former Gov. Bob List of Nevada, chief of staff at the Republican National Committee, chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Education, manager of the 1988 Republican National Convention, and deputy director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management under former President George H.W. Bush.

Phillips also is a former associate vice chancellor of university relations for Vanderbilt University and former visiting professional scholar at the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. He will continue to represent clients at the local government level.

Windrow, top in our photo, served as the senior advisor to former Gov. Phil Bredesen and has worked in politics and government relations in Tennessee for most of her career. She began in public affairs for First American National Bank and later worked for former U.S. Sen. Jim Sasser on his campaign and staff. She also served as executive director of the Tennessee Building Materials Association and worked for a decade as legislative director for the Nashville law firm Bass Berry & Sims.