Head executive building Burson Buchanan into a leading U.S. strategic communications and financial communications agency. Provide senior counsel to clients as they face “future of the enterprise” moments – including M&A, activist defense, high-profile litigation, government investigations, and major issues and crises – that impact corporate reputation and valuation. As CEO, responsible for driving client growth, building high performing teams, and delivering industry leading client service.

Led the Los Angeles office of H/Advisors Abernathy, along with the firm's cyber and litigation practice areas. Provided counsel and led teams across the country and globally to assist clients as they faced "bet the company" moments and issues, including crises, high-profile litigation, cyber and ransomware attacks, public affairs and regulatory issues, M&A, activist defense, and other matters that threaten corporate reputation and business success.

Board Member Emeritus and past Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Alzheimer’s Los Angeles - the oldest and largest Alzheimer's organization serving the LA metropolitan area. Support the organization’s goals of providing and enhancing care for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and their families, and advocating for great government funding for Alzheimer's research and care. Member of the Board Marketing Committee.

Serve as Managing Director and co-lead of the Los Angeles office of Sard Verbinnen & Co. Provide strategic communications counsel to clients from a variety of industries to address complex financial, legal, crisis and policy issues and priorities. Responsible for managing the LA office and team, building SVC’s profile in the market and identifying and securing business opportunities for the firm.Selected achievements:• Serve as the senior account leader working with the Boards and C-level executives of Fortune 500 companies on “future of the business” opportunities and issues – including mergers, crises, CEO changes, regulatory/government decisions, litigation and activist investors. Current and recent clients include PayPal, Edwards Lifesciences, Arista, Autodesk and the University of California, among others.• Growing and developing the Los Angeles staff to include top agency performers at every level and establishing a strong office culture and work ethic.• Developing LA referral sources and business leads to create greater business flow and client representation from Southern California.• Growing LA office revenue 5x in less than 5 years.

Led all facets of BSA's global advocacy efforts, including government affairs, policy, media relations and digital communications. Led efforts to develop and introduce new global advocacy strategy, focusing on the policy issues of greatest importance to the global software industry. Introduced new strategic approach for all internal and external communications, including all association messaging, events, digital communications and global studies and research. Conducted a strategic brand review, leading to the development of an updated brand strategy, name and logo. Managed in-house 25-person team and oversaw outside government affairs, legal, communications, design and research firms around the world. Responsible for member relations, recruitment and retention efforts. Served on four-person senior management team providing overall direction for the organization.Selected achievements:- One of three BSA leaders to develop the 2013-2015 BSA strategic plan – a major shift in organizational focus and resources that has been lauded by BSA member companies.- Combined separate government relations, policy, communications and events functions into one coordinated Advocacy Department – successfully aligning efforts against priority issues as defined by the BSA strategic plan.- Drove an increase in media coverage and message pickup in top-tier publications for three straight years. Share of coverage over other trade associations has increased in all major policy areas. Digital communications footprint doubled two years in a row, including targeted growth of Twitter and Facebook and the introduction of a new BSA blog. - Membership initiatives led to two of the three largest software companies in the world joining BSA in 2012.

Founded and led Waggener Edstrom’s Global Public Affairs Practice. Spearheaded efforts to define client strategy and programs, provide strategic counsel, and develop new business. Directed national and global public affairs programs to influence public opinion and public policy issues. Later formed the agency’s Social Innovation Practice – a group comprising corporate responsibility, environment, cleantech and global development capabilities. Led work to define practice vision and strategy, build team and capabilities and develop business. Previously led the agency’s Corporate Practice, developing a global team and capability centered in New York.Selected achievements:- Grew PA practice from zero to $3 million in revenue and opened offices in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium.- Served as account lead for key agency clients, including Microsoft Citizenship, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mercy Corps, and Lance Armstrong.- Provided oversight and management of direct reports and client engagements in New York; Washington, DC; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; London; and Brussels.

Served as a senior member of the Corporate Communications Practice. Led team in delivering crisis and issue management, strategic planning, external and internal communications, and regulatory and litigation communications for the agency’s corporate, non-profit and government clients. Served on agency management committee and led corporate business development efforts.Selected achievements include:- In first six months, helped secure more than $500,000 in new business. - Led campaign to introduce and raise participation in the Oregon Cultural Trust, a newly created government agency charged with increasing funding for the arts. In its inaugural year, the Trust raised more than $1.5 million, 50 percent above the established goal. - Led grassroots and media relations efforts to successfully defend smoke free workplace laws and ordinances on behalf of the Tobacco Free Coalition of Oregon.

Directed GCI’s San Francisco public affairs practice. Led the agency’s efforts in issues management, public affairs, government relations and crisis communications. Held responsibility for overall profitability, staffing, new business and day-to-day management of the public affairs practice.Specific achievements included:- Secured and managed high profile assignments with Chevron, the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco International Airport, Starbucks Coffee Company, Wal-Mart and Visa International.- Played a lead role in growing practice from 10 people to more than 30 professional staff and annual billings in excess of $6 million.