Bill Peebles

Bill has enjoyed a successful career focused on providing legal and lobbying services to Florida local governments since 1985.  Today, Bill is recognized as an expert in the area of energy and utility law. He has a reputation for honesty and integrity, as well as being known as a preeminent, big picture, strategist. Due to his successes, Bill is sought after for the most complex and controversial local government legislative issues.

In 1995, Bill founded the predecessor firm to Peebles, Smith & Matthews Inc. in order to focus on legislative and executive lobbying on behalf of local governments. Bill’s first client was the Florida Municipal Electric Association, a client we are proud to still represent.

From 1985 through 1995, Bill had an active legal practice, representing local governments in municipal financing as bond counsel, issuer’s counsel and underwriter’s counsel. He also had an active state administrative litigation practice.

Bill received his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law, and before attending law school he graduated with honors from Florida State University.

John Wayne Smith

John has nearly three decades of experience representing local government entities before the Florida Legislature, Governor and Cabinet Offices, and State Agencies.

John began his career as an economic researcher for the Florida Public Service Commission.  He later joined the Department of Financial Services to analyze and review proposed initial public offerings in Florida. After a short stint in the Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget, he joined the Florida Association of Counties in 1990.

Since then, he has developed a unique expertise in state and local finance. From working as a Financial Analyst for the Department of Banking and Finance to assisting the Deputy Budget Director in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budgeting during Governor Chiles’s tenure, John gained distinctive skills in the areas of public finance. His focus on public finance includes: federal, state, and local tax policy, appropriations, transportation, and economic development. John is recognized as an expert in fiscal policy by virtue of his experience and knowledge in the areas of public finance, the budget and the revenue estimating process.

Prior to establishing the Firm, John served as the Legislative Director for the Florida Association of Counties.  He served in a similar role as the Assistant Legislative Director for the Florida League of Cities.

John graduated from Florida State University where he earned his Bachelors of Science degrees in Economics (Honors) and Political Science.

Ryan Matthews

Ryan maintains an extensive government and public affairs practice with emphasis on legislative and executive branch representation. As the most recent named partner, Ryan joined the Firm in July of 2017 having just completed a stint on Governor Scott’s leadership team as Interim Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In that role he led an agency of 2900 employees and maintained a budget of $1.6 billion protecting Florida’s greatest natural resources. Prior to becoming Interim Secretary, Ryan served as the Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs. Furthermore, Ryan began his time at DEP as Director of the Office of Water Policy. In that role, he directed the coordination and implementation of Florida’s statewide water policy with the five water management districts as well as state agencies and local governments.

The focus of Ryan’s practice is general utilities (electric/water/wastewater), environmental, transportation, telecommunications, growth management, and local government representation. He served in both the General Counsel and Legislative Affairs offices of the Florida League of Cities for six years.

Ryan has extensive experience in local, state and federal government advocacy having helped in a statewide Florida campaign and working on Capitol Hill following his undergraduate studies. Ryan earned his B.S. in Political Science from the University of Florida, a J.D. from the Florida Coastal School of Law and an LLM in Environmental Law from Denver University. Ryan has extensive knowledge regarding water policy and infrastructure building.

Angela Drzewiecki

Angela brings years of legislative and political experience to the team. She has been working in the legislative process honing her appropriations expertise. Angela assists on all budget related issues, shepherding local bills and running point on our health and public safety priorities.

Angela began her career working as a director on a gubernatorial campaign where she gained diverse knowledge of Florida government in addition to her extensive campaign management experience. Prior to joining the Firm, Angela worked at several high-profile lobbying firms in Tallahassee where she has successfully advocated on behalf of municipalities, trade associations, and businesses.

Angela attended Florida State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science as well as a Master’s degree in Applied American Politics and Policy.

Amy Harllee

Amy joined Peebles, Smith and Matthews, Inc. in the summer of 2012 where she currently serves as Office Manager.

Amy has over fifteen years experience as executive assistant and office manager in associations, legal and lobbying firms.

Prior to working with the Firm, Amy served as the Executive Assistant to both the Executive Director for the Florida Center for Performing Arts and Education as well the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida.