Chad Heinrich

Chad Heinrich is an Arizona lobbyist and government affairs strategist with more than 25 years of experience representing businesses, trade associations, and institutions before state and local government. As Managing Partner of Phoenix-based Heinrich Public Affairs, a full-service Arizona lobbying firm, he advocates for clients at the Arizona Legislature, before state regulatory agencies, and across Arizona’s city and county governments — and develops the coalition-building, strategic communications, and grassroots advocacy campaigns that move policy from proposal to passage.

Heinrich Public Affairs represents clients across the full range of industries whose operations are shaped by state and local government — including small business, trade associations, regulated industries, and major employers in sectors such as healthcare, higher education, transportation, and agricultural technology. Effective lobbying requires fluency in both a client’s industry and the political environment in which it operates, and Chad has built his practice around that conviction.

In addition to his government affairs practice, Chad serves as Arizona State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, where he represents the interests of Arizona’s small business community before the state legislature and regulatory agencies.

Before founding Heinrich Public Affairs in 2018, Chad directed state government affairs across 22 states for the University of Phoenix, building and leading multi-state teams to shape education policy at the statehouse level. Earlier, he led public affairs and economic development for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and served as Deputy Secretary of State in South Dakota — work that earned him selection as a Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellow, one of 40 rising state leaders chosen nationally each year.

Chad holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Dakota. He lives in Phoenix with his wife, Sarah.

Chad Heinrich is regularly sought out by Arizona’s leading business and policy publications for expert commentary on state tax policy, regulatory affairs, and small business legislation. His analysis has appeared in the Phoenix Business Journal, AZ Free News, The Center Square, the Arizona Capitol Times, and statewide broadcast media — making him one of Arizona’s most visible and credible voices on the issues that matter to business.

Chad Heinrich publishes original analysis and opinion on the Arizona legislative and regulatory landscape — covering state tax policy, business competitiveness, economic development, and the government affairs issues shaping Arizona’s business environment. His columns are read by lawmakers, business leaders, and policy professionals across the state. Beyond the policy arena, Chad occasionally steps back to share insight on personal finance, consumer strategy, and other subjects where his decades of professional and life experience give him something worth saying.