Mirabella, Smith & McKinnon, Inc. is a full-service public
and governmental relations consulting firm whose three
principals, Frank A. Mirabella, Damon Smith and Pamela P.
McKinnon, have accumulated over 70 years’ experience working
both inside government and as professional consultants. Our
experience ranges from work with professional associations and
large, Fortune 500 corporations, to work with smaller
community-based organizations. Regardless of the size or
nature of the client, the representation provided by members of
the firm is consistently experienced, aggressive, professional
and personal. Among the clients successfully served by the
firm are: IGT
Online Entertainment Systems, Inc. (formerly Automated Wagering International, Inc.),
the current holder of the Florida Lottery’s on-line computer
game contract; Citibank/Citicorp, the largest bank holding
company in the United States; Citibank-EBT, an electronic
benefits card issuer and processor; WPBT Channel 2-Miami,
Florida’s largest public television station; Associated
Industries of Florida, the largest association of
businesses in the state; Associated Industries Insurance
Company; Associated Industries of Florida Service
Corporation; Associated Industries Insurance Services;
The Wackenhut Corporation/Wackenhut Corrections Corporation,
a security and private corrections company; Wackenhut
Resources; Atlantic Shores Healthcare, Inc.; HMS Host, an
international food service corporation; Home
Intensive Care, Inc., a major national home infusion company;
Dade County Housing Authority; The Association of Florida Bingos, Inc., an association of players, operators, and
charitable associations; Professional Fisheries Conservation
Coalition; Duval County Schools, one of
Florida’s largest school systems; Florida Academy of
Cosmetic Surgery; Stratus Computer, Inc.; Amtech
Systems Corporation; and Florida Audubon Society.
The firm has established itself as the premier firm in
Tallahassee for the privatization of government services.
Frank A. Mirabella has been with Mirabella, Smith & McKinnon, Inc. (and its predecessor firm, Mirabella & Associates) since January, 1989. Prior to that, Frank headed the Governmental Relations Office of Bryant, Miller & Olive, a major Tallahassee law firm, representing the firm’s clients before legislative and executive branch agencies and assisting the firm’s public financing section before municipal and county governments. From July, 1985 through November, 1986, Frank served as Executive Director (and one of three founders) of EXCEL, INC. (Excellence Campaign: An Education Lottery), the successful citizen’s initiative petition campaign that gathered over 500,000 signatures to place the issue of a state lottery before Florida voters, and then managed the general election campaign that amended the Florida Constitution to authorize a lottery. The bulk of Frank’s governmental experience came as Chief Cabinet Aide (1974-1985) and Public Information Director (1982-1985) for the Florida Department of Education and Education Commissioner Ralph Turlington. In this role, Frank served as press secretary and chief policy advisor to the Education Commissioner with respect to both the Department of Education and the State Cabinet’s oversight and supervision of executive branch agencies.
Damon Smith joined Mirabella, Smith & McKinnon, Inc. in November, 1990. For over six years prior to that, Damon served as Vice President of Chiles Communications, establishing that firm’s South Florida office in 1984 to handle client, public, and governmental relations in the southern half of the state. Two years later Damon moved to Tallahassee to handle all state and governmental matters for Chiles Communications. During this period, Damon represented such diverse clients as Citibank, United Technologies, American Express, Wackenhut, the Florida Film Industry Alliance, and many others. Damon also served from 1978 to 1984 as District Administrative Assistant to then-U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles, with responsibility for constituent services and intergovernmental relations, operating mainly out of the Senator’s Miami office. While working for Senator Chiles, Damon also served as liaison for the Senator and was responsible for the southern half of Florida, and, while on leave from the Senate payroll, ran the Senator’s 1982 reelection campaign in the southern half of the state.
Pamela P. McKinnon has been with Mirabella, Smith & McKinnon, Inc. since January, 1989, handling a wide variety of matters while concentrating on the legislative process and education issues. For two years prior to the founding of the firm, Pam served as Administrative Assistant within the Governmental Relations Office of Bryant, Miller & Olive, a Tallahassee law firm, with responsibility for research, legislative bill tracking, bill drafting, campaign fundraising, and public relations. From July, 1985, through November, 1986, Pam was the Deputy Treasurer (and one of the founders) of EXCEL, INC. (Excellence Campaign: An Education Lottery). Pam also served for over 14 years in the Department of Education, including six years as a Staff Assistant and Administrative Assistant with various administrative responsibilities in the areas of cabinet affairs, legislative affairs and press relations. Pam is a licensed real estate broker and is the broker/owner of City Realty, Inc., a company owned by Frank, Damon and Pam.