ASGK Public Strategies Continues Growth With Seven New Hires

Firm adds experience across industry sectors, practice areas

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ASGK Public Strategies, the communication management firm founded by David Axelrod and Eric Sedler, announced today a major expansion of its operations in Washington, D.C. and Chicago with the recent hiring of seven public affairs professionals:

• Chris Lisi, Managing Director, D.C.
• Judy Erwin, Managing Director, Chicago
• Bryan DeAngelis, Principal, D.C.
• Ryan Vanderbilt, Senior Associate, D.C.
• Julie Adler, Senior Associate, Chicago
• Benjamin Thrutchley, Associate, D.C.
• Elizabeth Kenigsberg, Junior Associate, D.C.

These new hires represent ASGK's continued emphasis on aggressively building its Washington, D.C. presence and assembling a team of talented public affairs professionals with direct experience in federal and state government and private sector communications.

"These additions to our team will directly and immediately help clients navigate high-stakes business, policy and communications issues," said Eric Sedler, managing partner of ASGK. "From our inception, ASGK has intensely focused on building best-in-class public affairs capabilities. With our newest team members we offer an even deeper bench of experience and expertise across industry sectors, from health care, energy and education to financial services, telecommunications and technology."

ASGK's newest team members are:

Chris Lisi, who joins ASGK as a part-time managing director, has helped shape the public relations, marketing and political communications agendas of world-class organizations for more than a decade. Lisi previously served as a vice president at The Glover Park Group, where she worked for companies in technology, health care and other industries. Chris also led all health communications for AARP, served as deputy chief of staff for policy and communications for then-U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) and was a managing supervisor at Fleishman-Hillard in D.C. Chris started her Washington career working for Vice President Gore and then moved to Squier Knapp Dunn, now known as SKDKnickerbocker.

Judy Erwin, managing director, joins ASGK after serving as the executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the State of Illinois' postsecondary policy and coordinating agency. Before her five-year tenure at IBHE, Judy served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002. During and prior to her time in elected office, Judy held senior positions at Chicago-based public affairs firms Res Public Group and Kemper Lesnik and worked in public sector consulting practice for Grant Thornton LLC, an international public accounting and consulting firm.

Bryan DeAngelis, principal, comes to ASGK following his service to Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) as communications director. He helped to craft media and message strategy for the senator on several national issues, including the Affordable Care Act and the Dodd- Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Throughout his career Bryan has worked in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as on presidential, gubernatorial and congressional campaigns.

Ryan Vanderbilt, senior associate, most recently served as the communications director for retired Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.). Prior to his work with Rep. Halvorson, Ryan served as Dunn Fellow to the Chief of Staff in the Illinois governor's office, and as a program assistant for the Chicago Federation of Labor, Workers Assistance Committee.

Julie Adler, senior associate, served as an associate for Dewey Square Group in Washington, D.C. where she guided development and execution of national public affairs campaigns for major corporations. In particular, she directed work for a major telecommunications company where she was responsible for message development, rapid response and media outreach.

Benjamin Thrutchley, associate, served as assistant press secretary for Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Texas) and previously served as a communications assistant for Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-Calif.). Ben also worked as a research analyst for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Sen. Chris Dodd's 2008 presidential campaign.

Elizabeth Kenigsberg, junior associate, was formerly a project manager for The Strategy Group in its California office, where she coordinated direct mail campaigns at the statewide and local levels. Liz has also worked as a print reporter on a wide variety of subjects. Her work has appeared in Roll Call, CongressNow and U.S. Department of State's America.gov.

About ASGK Public Strategies

ASGK Public Strategies is the nationally recognized communication management firm founded in 2002 by David Axelrod and Eric Sedler. Operating in the intersection of business, policy, communication and public opinion, ASGK specializes in communications and issues management using techniques adapted from the most sophisticated political campaigns. With offices in Chicago and D.C., the firm provides services in the fields of corporate communications, public affairs, media relations, issues management, advocacy and reputational advertising and digital communications to private sector and nonprofit organizations across a variety of industry sectors.

SOURCE ASGK Public Strategies