Michael Best Strategies LLC, a leading national government affairs and public relations firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Rob Dixon as Principal to its Illinois team.
With more than 14 years of experience spanning both public service and the private sector, Dixon brings a proven track record of advancing policy, regulatory, and legislative initiatives through strategic communication and bipartisan engagement. His addition strengthens the firm’s capabilities in healthcare policy, regulatory affairs, and state-level advocacy.
“Rob’s deep understanding of Illinois government operations and his ability to translate complex challenges into actionable strategies make him an invaluable asset to our team and our clients,” said Aaron Harris, Michael Best Strategies Illinois Team Lead. “His leadership and experience will help us continue delivering high-impact results for clients across the state.”
Previously, Dixon served as Director of Government Relations at the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, where he led legislative affairs and external engagement efforts aligned with the governor’s office. His work modernized state operations and improved legislative tracking and stakeholder engagement.
In the private sector, Dixon was Senior Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at iA, Innovation Associates, where he built and led a department focused on public affairs and regulatory strategy. His efforts enabled regulatory adoption in multiple states and supported the launch of new pharmacy automation products.
Earlier in his career, Dixon held leadership roles at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, contributing to major reforms including cannabis legalization and student loan servicing. He also played key roles in emergency response coordination during the COVID-19 pandemic and served in the Office of the Governor as a James H. Dunn Fellow.
“Michael Best Strategies is known for our integrated approach and client-first mindset,” said Alison Prange, Managing Director of Michael Best Strategies. “I’m excited to welcome Rob to the team and look forward to his contributions to driving meaningful change and delivering results for our clients across Illinois.”
Dixon holds an M.B.A. in Mergers & Acquisitions and Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his M.P.A. in Public Administration and B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Springfield. He currently co-chairs Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s Day at the Capitol for the District of Illinois.