About
Nephi Cole has worked as a director of government relations—state affairs at the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) since 2018, and is responsible for conducting extensive state-level anti-ESG lobbying in order to “protect the firearms industry from ESG policies.”
Cole previously worked as a senior policy advisor for Wyoming’s then-Governor Matthew Mead (R) and as a soil scientist and natural resource policy advisor (2001–12). He and his family participate in shooting competitions and he co-hosts the outdoors podcast Your Mountain.
In April 2023, Cole was present when Montana Governor Greg Gianforte (R) signed an anti-ESG bill into law, saying, “In the last few years, woke, corporate activists have sought to unfairly deny basic access to critical business infrastructure all because they support an industry they don’t agree with.”
Cole holds a master’s degree in soil science and a bachelor’s in environmental science from Utah State University.
Actions
Cole has lobbied for anti-ESG legislation in the following states:
- Nebraska
- Proponent of LB 730 (2023 bill considered)
- Proponent of LB 743 (2023 bill considered)
- North Dakota
- Proponent of HB 1429 (2023 law)
- South Dakota
- Proponent of HB 1208 (2023 bill considered)