Saleem Baird

Saleem Baird is a member of WT Consultants Government Affairs team, where he focuses on municipal, state and federal budget appropriations request, drafting legislation, public and community relations, special projects, criminal justice reform and economic development issues for clients.

 

Saleem has 8 years of experience as a registered lobbyist and 9 years as a government executive. Prior to joining WT Consultants, he served as Legislative Aide and Special Assistant to US Senator Roger Wicker in our Nation’s capitol. In that role, he advised the Senator on legislative issues related to: Appropriations Requests, Energy, Agriculture, Small Business, Trade, Foreign Relations, Immigration and Community Outreach. A highlight in Saleem’s time on the Hill was working closely with Senator Wicker to work across the aisle to bring awareness to social justice programs that effect minority communities. He also worked with local municipalities across the state to navigate the appropriations process and correlate with federal agencies in his portfolio to resolve complex constituent issues. As a result of his advocacy, Saleem developed relationships with federal agency leadership that would eventually lead to opportunities to craft legislation that would impact Mississippi communities.

 

As a lobbyist in our Nation’s fluid political landscape, Saleem has demonstrated a unique ability to guide clients through the appropriations process in both Congress, the executive branch and local state government process. Some of his professional accomplishments include, but are not limited to, leading the effort to win the City of Jackson’s Convention Center management contract for his client Oakview Group, assisting clients with acquiring proper accreditation to participate in government contracting opportunities with federal and state agencies; crafting Special Improvement District legislation to provide additional infrastructure funding for the City of Jackson, funding for Jackson State University School of Public Health Initiative, and securing funding for Hinds County Board of Supervisors Byram Clinton Corridor.

 

In his free time, Saleem serves on the Metro Jackson YMCA Board of Directors. and the Kidney Foundation. Saleem received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tougaloo College, and a Juris Doctrine from Mississippi College School of Law.