Michael O’Brien has counseled clients on legislative and executive branch matters and served as a political advisor to candidates and elected officials since 2002. He joined 1816 Government Solutions in 2016 and was instrumental in building the firm’s impressive client roster and formidable presence in the Statehouse. He was named President of 1816 Public Affairs Group LLC in 2020. When 1816 merged in 2024 with another well-respected and established lobbying firm, KWK Management Group, Mike was elected the team’s Managing Partner.

In 2005, Mike served as Legislative Director to Governor Mitch Daniels, helping the governor achieve a bold and ambitious legislative agenda, including the creation of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the lease of the Indiana Toll Road, and the adoption of Daylight Saving Time.

A multi-client lobbyist since 2007, Mike previously worked as vice president with Bose Public Affairs Group and as senior public policy advisor with Barnes & Thornburg LLP. In those capacities, he gained extensive knowledge of the legislative process, working across all subject matters, most notably in health care, insurance, transportation, alcohol and tobacco, utilities, and gaming. He began his lobbying career as a legislative liaison for the Indiana State Medical Association.

Mike has also been active at the senior level of Republican politics in Indiana for over two decades. In 2016, he served as campaign manager for the successful Holcomb for Indiana gubernatorial campaign, leading the team to a sizable victory in an unprecedented, 100-day race. His other previous political experience includes work on the Mitch Daniels for Governor campaigns, managing Todd Rokita’s election to Secretary of State, and serving as a policy director for Vice President Mike Pence’s campaign for governor. He served two terms as chairman of the Hendricks County Republican Party, a post he held until he was elected chairman of the 4 th Congressional District. He stepped down from that role in 2020.

O’Brien appears weekly on WFYI’s Indiana Week in Review, a statewide political news and debate show, as the Republican panelist.

Education
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (B.A. Political Science, 2001)