Billy Pitts, also known as William R. Pitts, is a veteran lobbyist and Republican fundraiser with a long career centered on the tobacco industry. He began his lobbying career in the 1980s, working with organizations like the Tobacco Institute, where he played a key role in shaping legislative responses to anti-smoking initiatives. As president of Capitol BrainTrust, a strategic consulting and lobbying firm, Pitts provides guidance to clients across industries, though his primary focus remains on tobacco-related issues. He has represented major tobacco companies and associations in Washington, D.C., advocating for their interests in areas such as regulation, taxation, and public health policy. His expertise has made him an influential figure in conservative political circles, where he has facilitated fundraising for Republican candidates and causes. Pitts also serves on the board of the American Action Forum, a center-right think tank that promotes free-market policies and fiscal conservatism, and has been registered as a lobbyist for entities like NTI Group Inc. His work has often intersected with broader Republican efforts to counter Democratic-led regulatory reforms. Pitts' career has not been without controversy; he has been criticized by public health groups for his role in tobacco industry strategies that allegedly downplayed health risks and influenced youth smoking prevention laws. Despite such scrutiny, he continues to operate as a behind-the-scenes power broker in policy and politics, leveraging his extensive network in the GOP and corporate sectors.