User:Jknighten/Lucas Public Affairs

Lucas Public Affairs

Lucas Public Affairs is a California-based strategic consulting, public affairs, and communications firm. Located in Sacramento, C.A., Lucas Public Affairs was founded in 2006 by Donna Lucas, who is the firm’s CEO and President. The firm's clients come from the myriad industries including energy, sports and entertainment, transportation, natural resources, health care, business and finance, tourism and education. The firm also offers services in the following practice areas: Strategic Communications, Crisis Communications, Issue & Reputation Management, Government Relations, Media, and Social Media.

History
Lucas Public Affairs was founded in Sacramento, CA in April 2006 by Donna Lucas, one of the nation’s foremost public affairs strategists and a widely recognized expert in media relations and political affairs. Prior to founding Lucas Public Affairs, Lucas served as Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Deukmejian, and as California press secretary for President George H.W. Bush's 1988 Campaign. She served as California Media Director in 1992 and 1996 Republican National Convention and served as Director of Public Affairs in The California State Treasurer's Office. Lucas served as Global Public Affairs Leader for Porter Novelli, an international public affairs firm from 2000 to 2003, after Porter Novelli acquired Nelson Communications Group, where, she served as Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to 2003, and President for many years. In 2001, Lucas was chairperson of the American Association of Political Consultants.

Lucas also served as Deputy Chief of staff for strategic planning and initiatives for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2003 to 2006 and as Chief of staff to First Lady Maria Shriver from December 2004 to January 2006. Lucas is a 1982 graduate of the University of Southern California School of Journalism.

Personnel

 * Donna Lucas, Chief Executive Officer & President


 * Julie Marengo, Senior Vice President
 * Prior to joining Lucas Public Affairs, Marengo was director of communications for the League of California Cities and an in-house strategic consultant to the city of Sacramento.


 * Jessica Spitz Biller, Vice President
 * Prior to joining Lucas Public Affairs, Biller was the longtime vice president for Porter Novelli Sacramento. Biller also worked closely with the Schwarzenegger administration and on many statewide campaigns.


 * Beth Willon, Senior Account Supervisor


 * Justin Knighten, Account Executive


 * Emilie Cameron, Account Coordinator


 * Rachel Huberman, Account Coordinator


 * Annie Han, Executive Assistant

Community engagement & philanthropy
Since 2009, Lucas Public Affairs has worked alongside former First Lady of California Maria Shriver to organize Team Maria to take part in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle raising almost $400,000 for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Donna Lucas is a member of the SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography Advisory Council  working to promote and communicate scientific understanding of the oceans, atmosphere, Earth, and other planets for the benefit of society and the environment. Lucas also serves on the Leadership Council for California Forward which advocates for democratic, fiscal and operational reforms to improve California’s government. Lucas serves on the board of directors for the Public Policy Institute of California and the Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women. As a faculty member of the Rutgers 2012 Project Lucas works to increase the number of women in legislative office by identifying and engaging accomplished women 45 and older from underrepresented fields and industries.

Justin Knighten serves on the Harvey Milk Foundation steering committee for the Harvey Milk Day 2011 and helped organize the first annual Harvey Milk Day, May 22, 2010.

Awards and recognition
In 2010, Lucas Public Affairs was honored by the Sacramento Business Journal with a Partners in Philanthropy award, in recognition of the firm’s monetary donations and pro bono media services.

Donna Lucas was named one of Sacramento’s 100 most powerful people by Sacramento Magazine and distinguished as one the most powerful political strategists in California by Capitol Weekly and Campaigns and Elections Magazine.

Official links

 * http://www.lucaspublicaffairs.com/lpa/
 * http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucas-Public-Affairs/107374532618588
 * http://www.linkedin.com/company/lucas-public-affairs