About McKinley Group, Inc.


Most research problems are straightforward. Ours aren't.

McKinley Group, Inc. was founded in 2014 by Raymond M. Hudgins, Jr. — a forensic researcher, historian, and policy analyst with thirty years of experience working in the documents most people can't find, read, or interpret.

Our work spans three disciplines that share one foundation: the ability to reconstruct a complete, defensible picture from primary sources alone. Whether the case involves a multi-generational Appalachian title chain in a burned-record county, a family lineage spanning three centuries, or the regulatory history of a federal housing mandate — the methodology is the same. Find the primary source. Document the chain of evidence. Produce conclusions that hold up.


About Raymond M. Hudgins, Jr.

Raymond brings an unusual combination of experience to this work:

Thirty years in housing, construction, and property law — including management of portfolios exceeding 3,000 residential properties, direct experience with Section 8 and affordable housing programs, and forensic examination of 75+ complex title chains across Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, and surrounding states.

Deep familiarity with Appalachian and mid-Atlantic land records, probate systems, county court archives, chancery cases, and burned-record reconstruction methodology across multiple jurisdictions and generations.

Independent policy researcher and author of a six-piece policy analysis portfolio covering regulatory fragmentation, federal housing legislation, workforce mobility, and governance — written for legislative and institutional audiences. Published at rmhudgins.substack.com

B.S. Ethics, Justice & Society · Political Science Minor · University of Louisville — Honors Scholar, Dean's Scholar, multiple Dean's List — with coursework in constitutional law, political research methods, public policy, and the American legislative process.


Memberships & Affiliations


Service Area

Primary service area: Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Maryland, and the broader Appalachian and mid-Atlantic region — with particular depth in historically complex and burned-record jurisdictions.

Legislative and policy research conducted nationally.


This is not generalist research. This is forensic reconstruction for professionals who need defensible, documented, actionable results.


rmhudgins@themckinleygroup.org · 202-534-0460 linkedin.com/in/raymondhudgins · rmhudgins.substack.com · themckinleygroup.org