Debbie Burrell

Debbie founded Burrell International Group (BIG) in 2014 as a women-owned small business providing strategic government affairs and government marketing in defense medical, public health and emerging technologies. Our team approaches our work with clients with a specific purpose in mind: to provide unique strategic counsel, personalized service and attention to detail that can go wanting in larger, older DC firms. This “outside the box” approach employs the fresh ideas and alternative methods necessary to succeed in the ever-changing arena that is Washington. We build bipartisan support for clients so no matter the political climate, our integrated and experienced advocacy team builds relationships on the Hill and with Agencies.

Debbie assists clients in effectively developing and implementing growth-strategies through amending legislation, securing funding for projects and programs, and revising federal and state regulations. Understanding both federal and state agencies, she helps clients with the agency pull-through strategy for federal non-dilutive funding.

Combining her deep knowledge of Congress and federal agencies from her 18+ years as a senior staffer on Capitol Hill where she served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congressman Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland, while he was Sub-Committee Chairman for the House Armed Services Committee, Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee which had oversight for military RDT&E. In those roles, she worked intimately with senior leaders in securing Congressional funding and policy to support Maryland businesses.
Additionally, she has 3+ years as a staffer in the Maryland General Assembly and 9+ years lobbying and consulting for various small businesses and coalitions in securing appropriations and policy to open market access for clients.

Debbie serves as a Governor Appointee on the Board of Licensed Commissioners for the Liquor Board of Frederick County where she became the first woman Chair in the Board’s history. She is the Board Chair for the Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow (SMART), SMART Maryland Board Member, Health Chair and SMART PROC Chair. She serves on various legislative working groups on addressing the opioid epidemic.