User:Mobleypiemode/Michael J. Stratton

Michael J. Stratton is

Michael J. Stratton is a prominent Colorado civic and business leader. He is one of the nation’s most well known political consultants. He operates the Stratton Companies, principally involved in public affairs, real estate development and business consulting.

A native of Durango and a graduate of Colorado State University, Stratton became active in politics in 1970. He has worked in scores of campaigns around the country at every level of the electoral process, in roles varying from press secretary to consultant to manager. He began his career as a reporter, spent time in Washington D.C. as a staff member in the U.S. Senate and served in the Carter Administration. He began the public affairs firm of Stratton & Associates in 1980, and later founded Stratton Reiter Dupree & Durante, predecessor to Public Decisions, Inc. Stratton has played a leading role in seven presidential campaigns and represented a variety of clients including numerous Fortune 500 companies, trade organizations and labor unions. Notable political leaders represented by Stratton include; Bill Clinton, Gary Hart, Michael Dukakis, Bob Kerrey, Christopher Dodd, Floyd Haskell, Roy Romer, Ron Brown, Federico Peña, Wellington Webb, Bill Richardson and Mark Udall. In 1990 Stratton helped arrange and advance Nelson Mandela’s first trip to the U.S. following his release from prison in South Africa. Following President Clinton’s first election, Stratton was named one of the Co-Directors of the 1993 Presidential Inaugural Committee. He served as a senior consultant and assistant to the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown from 1993-1995. In that capacity, Stratton directed the arrangements for Brown’s trade missions, including trips to China, Russia, India, South Africa, Brazil and Israel. In 2004, Stratton served as Chairman of Ken Salazar’s successful U.S. Senate campaign in Colorado. During 2005, he served as a member of the DNC’s Scheduling and Nominating Commission. During the 2008 presidential cycle, Mike served as senior consultant to the Bill Richardson campaign.

Stratton’s real estate involvement began as an outgrowth of his public affairs work. He has represented many of the nation’s leading real estate development groups, including Trizec, Taubman Companies, The Hahn Companies, Koll Company, Rosewood Properties and City Market. In the 1980’s, Stratton began working on real estate ventures of his own, today having successfully developed and sold tens of millions of dollars in residential and commercial properties along the front range, as well as in the mountain areas of Colorado. His business consulting practice centers on public affairs and business development for companies in the U.S. and abroad.

A featured speaker, Stratton has authored numerous articles, editorials and other publications on topics related to government, energy, politics and sports. He has served on numerous public and private boards and commissions including the Colorado State Board of Agriculture, the governing body for the Colorado State University System. He has received numerous leadership awards including national and international Who’s Who recognition. Stratton has lectured as a member of the Alumni College Faculty at George Washington University and regularly lectures in Colorado State University’s Department of Technical Journalism where he chaired the Alumni Advisory Board. In 2000, Stratton received Colorado State’s distinguished Alumni Award. His civic involvement has included serving as a March of Dimes volunteer, YMCA and youth league coach. An avid traveler, skier and golfer, Mike is married to Sara Crossman Stratton, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio and Washington D.C. Sara, a former banker, economist and financial advisor is a retired former executive with QWEST. The Strattons and their sons, Matthew and Sam, live in the foothills southwest of Denver.