Meet the Firm

Gary Burton, Retired Partner

Gary served in the Missouri legislature for 14 years. During his tenure as a legislator, Gary served on numerous committees including: Insurance, Budget, Appropriations, Utilities, Financial Services, Energy and Environment, and Public Safety.

As a member of the Missouri General Assembly, Gary was elected the State Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a national organization of legislators and the private sector. He also served as national chairman of ALEC's Telecommunications and Information Technology Taskforce.

Gary has received numerous awards, including,: ALEC "Thomas Jefferson Award" naming him one of the top five legislators in the nation, Missouri Chamber of Commerce "Legislator of the Year", Missouri Associated Industries "Voice of Missouri Business", Missouri Farm Bureau "Friend of Agriculture", the "Distinguished Service Award", Council on Developmental Disabilities "Outstanding Legislative Advocacy Award", and Ozark Center Board of Directors "Leadership and Public Advocacy Award".

In addition to his service as a legislator, Gary was instrumental in forming Joplin.com, the first non-profit internet service provider for Southwest Missouri; is co-founder of the Wildcat Glades Audubon Nature Center in his hometown of Joplin; served on the Joplin City Council and various city boards; former State Board Member and President for the Missouri Special Olympics Board; former board member of Joplin's Ronald McDonald House, and his church. He currently serves on the Board of Bright Futures USA in Joplin, MO.

Gary graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He is presently a real estate developer and small business owner in the Joplin, MO area.

Chris Liese, Partner

Chris served in the Missouri legislature for ten years. During his tenure as a legislator, Chris was chairman of the Financial Services Committee and served on numerous committees covering diverse subject areas of insurance, transportation, and natural resources.

As a member of the Missouri General Assembly, Chris was also selected to serve as chairman of the Joint Committee on Gaming. He also received numerous awards including: Outstanding Freshman Legislator of the Year, a community service award from the Missouri Credit Union System, and a special award from Judge Susan Black for his work with troubled youth.

Chris was chosen to represent the Missouri General Assembly at the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). In further recognition of his leadership, he was elected to the position of NCOIL Vice President by its membership.

In addition to his service in the legislature, Chris was selected to join a United States delegation of state representatives at an economic summit held at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He also represented the state of Missouri on economic and education missions to Germany, Japan, and Thailand. Chris served on the board of the Edward Jones YMCA and is a lifetime member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders.

Chris graduated from St. Louis University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He completed advanced studies in State and Local Government from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Chris is also a licensed insurance agent.

Jim Foley, Partner

Jim has extensive experience in the Missouri legislature, the executive branch of state government and local government. Jim served in the Missouri House of Representative for 10 years, four of those as Assistant Majority Floor Leader. In 2002, Jim was recruited to be Policy Director and later promoted to Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. As Deputy and Policy Director, Jim was responsible for developing, passing and implementing policies pertaining to community, business, trade, and workforce development.

As a legislator, Jim served on numerous committees, such as: appropriations, local government, higher education. While serving in his leadership role, Jim was responsible for selecting the agenda for debate on the house floor.

Jim also served as an Alderman for the City of St. Ann for 5 years and was elected by the board to serve as president.

Jim received numerous awards and recognition during his tenure in the legislature, such as: St. Louis Business Journal Legislator of the Year Award, twice receiveing The Regional Chamber and Growth Association Statesman of the Year Award, the American Medical Association Recognition Award, and Legislator of the Year by the Firefighters of Missouri.

Jim received his BA in Political Science from Quincy University ('86) and also is a graduate of Leadership St. Louis.

Neal English, Associate

Neal has worked in the political and legislative arena for almost 10 years. He began his career with the Republican Caucus in the Missouri House of Representatives where he worked on policy development. Neal left the Missouri House to run Sen. Michael Gibbons senatorial campaign. After a successful campaign Sen. Gibbons was chosen Majority Floor Leader and Neal became his Chief of Staff, where he helped devise message, policy outreach, and selecting the agenda and priorities for floor debate. Later, as the Chief of Staff to the President Pro Tem, Neal was responsible for developing and passing priorities, working with Committee Chairman, assigning members to committees and coordinating with the House of Representatives and the Governor’s administration. In his role, he worked with leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties to shape and move forward critical issues that benefited the people of Missouri.

Neal took a brief leave of absence to work on political campaigns and played an instrumental role in expanding and maintaining the Republican Majority in the Missouri Senate over the past eight years. His work with the Senate Majority Fund helped frame his experience in coalition building, voter outreach, and campaign strategy.

After Neal left the Missouri Senate, he worked for the Missouri Energy Development Association as their President. Shortly before he joined Burton-Liese, Neal had been doing political and policy consulting for organizations, associations and political campaigns.

Neal received his Bachelor of Science from Central Missouri State University with a major in Criminal Justice and minor in Political Science.

Tony Dugger, Associate

Tony represented Wright County and parts of Webster County from 2009 to 2016. While serving in the Missouri House he was chair of the Banking Committee for 2 years and then was chair of the Select Committee on Financial Institutions and Taxation. Additionally, Tony was chair of the Elections Committee for 2 years.

Before serving as a legislator Tony was elected Wright county clerk in 1994 and served for 14 years. He also served as the Wright county presiding commissioner from 1991 – 1994.

Tony is a member of Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church, the Farm Bureau and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Additionally, he served on the boards of Wri-Tex 911, Ozark Action, Southwest Solid Waste and Hartville Food Pantry.

An alumnus of Mountain Grove High School, Tony received a Bachelors in Business Administration from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. Tony lives in Hartville, Missouri and owns and operates a 243-acre beef cow operation.

Don Soph, Manager - Client Services/Research

Don Soph worked for two years as an aide in the Missouri House of Representatives where he also served as clerk of the House Financial Institutions committee. He then moved to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, where for two years he worked as a director of the Chamber's Missouri Legislative Service bill tracking system. Don has also coordinated several state representative and state senate campaigns.

Don has been with Burton-Liese Government Relations for ten years. His main responsibilities are client services, bill tracking, issues research, ethics compliance, and office management.

Don graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and a minor in English. He is president of the Holts Summit, MO Lions Club and on the Holts Summit Community Betterment Association Board of Directors.

Andy Foley, Associate, Assistant Manager - Client Services/Research

Andy graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a Bachelors Degree in History. While at MU, he worked for the Parkway Special School District and interned at a Jefferson City consulting firm. At the Parkway Special School District, Andy worked in the ABA early childhood education classrooms. While interning in Jefferson City, Andy worked with many different organizations, including the Acupuncture Association of Missouri, Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics, and Missouri Association of School Librarians.

Andy's main responsibilities at Burton-Liese are client services, bill tracking, issues research, and PAC management.