Sacramento office to promote Melanie Slocum and Anthony Fajardo Kusich to the role of Principal, welcome Emily Penrod and Emily Jones as Associates.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., January 28, 2021— The Dewey Square Group, a national public affairs firm, announced today that Anthony Fajardo Kusich and Melanie Slocum have been promoted to the role of Principal in the California Practice. Emily Penrod and Emily Jones also joined the Sacramento office as Associates.

DSG’s California Practice, led by Erin Boltz, provides public affairs, communications and advocacy strategies on a wide range of issues in California. The current portfolio of work includes innovative technologies; navigating public perception and changing policies related to California’s water future; and advancing clean energy policies. DSG’s California clients include Fortune 100 and ground-breaking startup companies as well as nonprofits, unions, foundations and trade organizations.

Anthony Fajardo Kusich oversees a broad portfolio that includes political clients, trade associations, corporate public affairs, and non-profit work. He was previously Chief of Staff to Florida Congressman Patrick Murphy, overseeing his D.C. office and serving as a senior adviser during his 2016 U.S. Senate bid. He managed both of Mr. Murphy’s successful U.S. House campaigns, including the recount-decided 2012 race that remains one of the most expensive in congressional history. Prior to that, Anthony spent nearly 10 years in politics and campaigns across the country, serving as Communications Director for Silicon Valley Congressman Mike Honda, a Legislative Aide in the Virginia legislature, and a grassroots field lead for the Iowa presidential caucus and U.S. Senate races in Montana, Colorado, and Connecticut. Anthony has a background in media, earning a degree from the UCLA School of Film & Television with a concentration in Documentary Film.

Melanie Slocum builds and manages broad coalitions for legislative and regulatory issue campaigns, develops messaging and provides strategic guidance on digital advocacy efforts for clients. Before DSG, Melanie strategized digital communications for United Domestic Workers (AFSCME Local 3930), using digital tools to organize domestic workers and bolster progressive efforts in the California legislature. She also worked at Bicker, Castillo & Fairbanks Public Affairs for four years where she developed public affairs and digital advocacy campaigns. Melanie holds a Master of Arts in Political Science (National Security Studies) from CSU San Bernardino and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from CSU San Marcos. Prior to her promotion, Melanie worked at Dewey Square Group as Senior Associate.

Emily Penrod helps develop messaging, campaign strategies and digital advocacy efforts for a range of clients. Prior to joining DSG, Emily served as a Press Aide for Speaker Anthony Rendon in the California State Legislature and later transitioned as a Communication Coordinator for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from California State University, Sacramento.

Emily Jones works to create effective campaign strategies and messaging priorities to achieve clients’ legislative and public policy goals. A recent UC Davis graduate, Emily has a degree in Political Science, and prior to joining DSG, Emily organized grassroots efforts to support Democratic candidates and secure progress on affordable housing development, voting access, and labor relations. She also worked as a legal intern, supporting the voting rights efforts of the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.