Dewey Square Group Expands California Practice
Sacramento Office welcomes Justin Pressfield as a Principal and Liz Fenton as a Senior Strategist
Sacramento, CA — January 22, 2018 — The Dewey Square Group (DSG), a national public affairs firm, announced today that Justin Pressfield, former Chief of Communications for Western States for the U.S. Geological Survey, has joined the firm as a Principal in its Sacramento office. Liz Fenton, a 25-year veteran of California state politics, has also joined the Sacramento team as Senior Policy and Campaign Strategist. Laura Hartigan, a leading philanthropic and government relations specialist based in southern California, also recently began serving DSG clients as Senior Strategist. DSG’s California Practice is led by Erin Boltz.
DSG’s California office provides expert public affairs, communications and advocacy strategies on a wide range of issues in California. Our current portfolio of work includes helping clients expand ridesharing and other innovative technologies; navigate public perception and changing policies related to California’s water future; address the state’s affordable housing crisis; and increase access to higher education for California students. Our clients include Fortune 100 and ground-breaking startup companies as well as nonprofits, foundations and educational institutions.
Justin Pressfield leads media relations efforts in California and uses his deep environmental issue expertise to help DSG’s clients navigate complex issues. As Chief of Communications for the USGS in the Western United States, he worked extensively on water, climate change, energy and disaster preparedness issues in California. Justin maintains high-level California media contacts and is an expert at driving proactive media and handling rapid response efforts in California and nationwide. He has held senior government affairs and communications roles in the U.S. Departments of State and Interior, providing counsel to Secretaries Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Jack Lew and Sally Jewell. He has also worked on a wide range of international issues, including postings in Sri Lanka and Iraq with the State Department.
Liz Fenton, a 25-year veteran of California state politics, provides DSG clients with expert strategic guidance on public policy and campaigns. Liz served as Chief of Staff to several senior members of the California State Senate and Assembly, including Senator Henry Stern, former Senate president pro Tem Don Perata, former Senator Liz Figueroa, and former Senator Fran Pavley, who is widely renowned for her pioneering work on climate change. Liz helped lead and secure multiple legislative victories, including landmark environmental protections, carbon emission reductions, consumer product safeguards, and advances in energy and water policy, health care, election reform and consumer privacy laws. She also brings expertise in political campaign management, having served as a senior adviser and strategist for multiple California Senate and Assembly campaigns.
Laura Hartigan helps clients navigate the government, public policy, philanthropic and business communities at the highest levels. She has been involved in national and California politics and philanthropy for decades and is a highly regarded strategist who has advised top executives in entertainment and business. She has also served as a top fundraiser for national Democratic campaigns and party committees and served as Acting White House Liaison for the Department of Commerce during the Clinton Administration.
“Justin, Liz and Laura bring deep California legislative, regulatory and campaign experience and their expertise will provide tremendous added value to our growing roster of California clients,” says Chuck Campion, chairman and co-founder of Dewey Square Group.
Erin Boltz, California Practice Leader; Anthony Kusich, Senior Associate; and Tanner Kelly, Public Affairs Strategist round out DSG’s Sacramento team along with Cassie Gilson who serves as Strategic Partner to DSG.
Erin Boltz leads large-scale legislative and regulatory public affairs efforts in California to help grow the sharing economy and protect user privacy. She is an expert in developing communications plans that position corporate, foundation and nonprofit clients for success on leading California issues ranging from affordable housing, water use and the health and education needs of California students. Erin has run messaging, media and coalition building campaigns for successful federal initiatives on environmental restoration, consumer protections and children’s health.
Anthony Kusich provides campaign management and media relations expertise to campaign, corporate and nonprofit clients, including a major California university. He has served as Chief of Staff, Campaign Manager, Communications Director and Field Director for a range of local, state and federal candidates. Tanner Kelly develops and implements successful legislative and regulatory communications and campaign strategies for California clients. Tanner has also partnered with Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma and members of the legislature to launch Generation Change, the first candidate incubator preparing millennials to run for office in California. DSG has also added Project Assistant George Hatamiya to enhance its California client service.
Cassie Gilson, partner at Sacramento Advocates, serves as Strategic Partner to DSG on legislative and regulatory issues. A longtime Sacramento lobbyist, Cassie expertly navigates the Legislature and Administrative agencies to help organizations succeed.