Meet Our Team
Our associates are dedicated to their craft - and it shows through excellent strategy development and flawless execution. From nonprofit community relations campaigns to international public affairs endeavors, the team at McNicholas & Associates performs with excellence so your organization can reach peak performance
Tom McNicholas
President
Tom McNicholas
President & CEO
Tom founded the company in 1999 and has since paved the way for a wide variety of clients to gain crucial community and governmental support for their projects. Backed by experience in the communications industry and an intuitive understanding of public perception, Tom has provided vision, guidance, and management of public relations and public affairs endeavors that have resulted in favorable conversations and legislation. From living rooms to State Houses, his work for clients such as U.S. Sugar, United Healthcare, Washington Nationals, and Atlanta Braves - among others - has shaped conversations across the audience spectrum and resulted in favorable outcomes that will be felt for decades.
Prior to starting McNicholas & Associates, Tom spent 15 years in the television newsroom, working as a producer and reporter in Ohio, West Palm Beach, and Miami. Tom attended Morehead State University where he studied broadcast communications and political science.
Fred Piccolo
Vice President of Public Affairs
Brittany Bearden
Director of Public Education
Brittany Bearden
Vice President of Public Relations
Brittany has spent the past 15 years of her career working to educate and empower the public. As Vice President of Public Relations for McNicholas & Associates, she continues her passion for information sharing - overseeing the development of communications strategies, plans, and collateral relevant to clients’ public-facing projects. From local-oriented social media campaigns to national public-private partnership proposals, her guidance and oversight in outreach documents and materials has resulted in election successes and economic engine survivals.
Before joining McNicholas & Associates, Brittany spent ten years working for the Georgia Department of Education as a classroom agriculture teacher and served on the Executive Board for the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teacher Association, where she worked closely with Georgia policy makers. Her experience includes curriculum writing, coordinating school-based events & fundraisers, and working closely with agricultural youth organizations.
Brittany is a fourth generation Floridian with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia.
Alex Menendez
Communications Coordinator
Rebecca King
Director of Communications
Rebecca King
Director of Communications
Rebecca is passionate about business marketing and building stronger communities through grassroots outreach and public education. With a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Clemson University and a lifetime of experience from her family’s business, which develops and markets the superior turf products to Major League Baseball and some of the world’s greatest golf courses, Rebecca uses her knowledge and communications skills to create positive experiences that educate people and bring them together.
John Brady
Communications Assistant
John Brady
Director of Public Affairs
John is a skilled public affairs professional with a background in strategic communication, legislative advocacy, and political research. He brings a sharp understanding of Florida’s political landscape and a steady focus on delivering results that influence public opinion and policy outcomes.
John has coordinated lobbying efforts and civic engagement programs, helping bridge the gap between constituents and decision-makers. His work has contributed to successful advocacy strategies and effective client messaging in high-stakes environments. Whether in the Capitol or the community, he is committed to helping clients navigate complex issues and connect with key audiences through a thoughtful, analytical, and collaborative approach to every project.
John is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in International Affairs.
Amber Statler
Director of Media Relations
Amber Statler
Vice President of Content & Media Relations
Amber Statler is an Emmy award-winning producer who has spent much of her career in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale market. As an Executive Producer of Special Projects and Investigations in newsrooms in South Florida, Amber managed successful teams who went on to change local, state and national laws. Her investigative unit at CBS in Miami won the prestigious Green Eyeshade Award for Best Investigative Report in 2010 for a Medicare Fraud report produced in conjunction with 60 Minutes. Before joining McNicholas & Associates in June 2021, Amber was the Assistant News Director at the FOX station in Charlotte, NC.
Amber is a Florida native with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Barry University and has an M.B.A. in Marketing.
Ansley Seaton
Communications Coordinator
Ansley Seaton
Vice President of Communications
Ansley is a go-getting, ambitious communicator that tackles any project without hesitation and powers results through creativity and strategic messaging.
Growing up in Tallahassee, the heart of Florida’s legislative efforts, inspired Ansley to work in a fast-paced, results-driven agency. Ansley’s professional experience includes graphic design, social media marketing, strategic campaigns, and community outreach. Her bright attitude and versatile skill set allow her to thrive in a collaborative work environment and create lasting relationships.
Ansley is a graduate from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in international affairs.
Larisa Yerastova
Creative Design
Larisa Yerastova
Creative Design
Larisa creates unique and compelling designs for every type of print and online application. From informational flyers to corporate white papers and financial performance reports, Larisa designs and delivers creative solutions that compel conversation and action.
Larisa is a Master of Fine Arts graduate from the Russian Art College and New York Technical College. She holds over 15 years of experience in concept development, design, art direction and production management.
