Meet the Firm

Gary Burton, 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. Currently he is ALEC Missouri State Private Sector Chairman.

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 and is currently working with community leaders to build a multi-million dollar nature center, partnered with Audubon, in his hometown of Joplin. Gary has also served as a board member for the Missouri Special Olympics Board, Ronald McDonald House, and his church.

Gary graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He is presently a real estate developer.

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.

Dawn Heidbreder, Associate

Dawn has 17 years of experience with Missouri State Government and Association management. Dawn served for Governor Carnahan in his Boards and Commissions Division and later as Legislative Director for the Assistant Majority Floor Leader in the Missouri House of Representatives.

In 2003, Dawn left state government for association management where she was promoted to Manager of Legislative and Member Services for the Missouri Energy Development Association (MEDA).

As manager of legislative and employee services, Dawn was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the association’s fiscal obligations, including monitoring legislation and representing MEDA with legislators.

Dawn presently serves on the Board of Missouri Society of Association Executives and is a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Missouri. Her notable civic activities include 2005 President of Jefferson City Jays high School Football Boosters, past President of North School PTO, and past First Vice President of Jefferson City Council of Clubs.

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.

Don Soph, Manager - Client Services/Research

Don Soph worked as staff in the Missouri House of Representatives for two years. 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 been with Burton-Liese Government Relations for four years. His main responsibilities are office management, issues research, bill tracking, and client services.

Don graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in History.

Joplin Office

Roy Cagle, Associate

Roy served in the Missouri legislature for 11years. During his tenure as a legislator, Roy served on numerous committees including: Accounts; Banks and Financial Institutions; Local Government; and Rules and Joint Rules.

Roy was elected National Chairman of The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)in 1986; a bi-partisan, business oriented organization of state legislators from all 50 states. Roy is presently an active member of his graduating class of 1961 alma mater, Pittsburg State University. He was inducted into PSU’s Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of the National Championship Football Team of 1957; the ROTC Hall of Fame in 2001, and presently serves as a member of the Pittsburg State University Athletic Advisory Council and President of the PSU Gorillas Ambassadors Club. Roy is a member of the V.F.W.; Masons; Scottish Rite; Shriners; American Legion; Elks, Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and his church.

Roy proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a Captain based in Ft., Benning GA and Germany, 1961-63 and is presently a licensed insurance agent, active with group, pension, and estate planning. He is married to Wanda and has 3 children and resides in Joplin, MO.

Dick Largent, Associate

Dick retired in 2007 as Joplin, Missouri's City Planner, where he had served since 1970. He oversaw and helped in the development of 5 master plans, several neighborhood revitalization plans, updating zoning codes, directing 4 transportation plans, 3 transit plans, and a bike and pedestrian trail plan.

While serving in Joplin, he directed the installation of a first generation GIS in 1992 and assisted the progress to a fully functional multi-layered GIS. He managed the Joplin MPO and has been involved in three local economic development corporations. Dick helped coordinate a neighborhood revitalization demonstration program and was manager of the CDBG program for the city of Joplin. During this time, Dick coordinated the development of a single family subdivision that provides homeownership for low income families through a variety of partnerships. He also directed the development of a regional paratransit system operating in over 100 square miles in and around the city of Joplin.

The last ten years Dick has been working in economic development where he has managed two Tax Increment Financing projects totaling over $100 million. He has been instrumental in coordinating and negotiating more than 15 new industries and businesses, creating more than 5,000 jobs.

Dick has been a grant writer and manager for grants through the Federal Highways Administration, the Federal Transportation Administration, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Dick is a Viet Nam Veteran and a retired First Sergeant from the 203 Engineer Battalion in Joplin. His educational background includes an Associates Degree from Missouri Southern State University in Engineering Design as well as a Bachelor’s Degree from MSSU in Sociology.