Robinson Communications has a broad base of institutional knowledge, our firm has local knowledge of ground level politics throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and California. Our diverse team members brings different skills and working relationships for our clients, allowing Robinson Communications to utilize resources and achieve success wherever we go.
Rich Robinson
Richard Robinson has served in all levels of government: in the U.S. Senate as Northern California Director to former U.S. Senator Alan Cranston, as Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of California, as a Senior Consultant to former Assemblyman John Vasconcellos and as policy aide to San Jose City Council member Jerry Estruth.
Richard Robinson is an accomplished political and government veteran whose hard driving style has earned him a reputation as one of the best in the business. He was the Northern California Director for Bill Clinton for President and has worked in national campaigns, including Barack Obama for President, Gary Hart for President, Alan Cranston for President, John Kerry for President and Joe Biden for President. He was privileged to advance Senator Ted Kennedy for the Democratic National Committee in 1986 and Michelle Obama in San Jose in February of 2008. He was a delegate to the 1984 and 2004 National Democratic Conventions.
Richard Robinson has had tremendous success in throughout California, especially in the Bay Area. His clients include many public officials throughout , with an special emphasis in Silicon Valley. Among these are Former State Senator John Vasconcellos, Assemblyman Jim Beall, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, and Santa Clara County Supervisors Pete McHugh and George Shirakawa.
Richard Robinson has given wide-ranging advice in the field of public affairs. He has served as a public policy advisor to the California High Speed Rail Authority, San Francisco Airport, the Santa Clara County Health Department, and the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. He has served as a business consultant to many entities including Calpine Corporation, the University of California at Santa Cruz, Sobrato Development, Centex Homes, Shea Homes, and Summerhill Homes.
Richard Robinson is an acknowledged expert in strategic planning, public policy development and government relations. He founded Robinson Communications in 1989. Rich Robinson is also the author of the Shadow Candidate.
Barry Wyatt – Barry Wyatt Associates, Sacramento
Barry Wyatt is a nationally recognized expert in campaign management, event planning and government relations and has a 35-year history of success in politics and government. As the principle of Barry Wyatt Associates, Mr. Wyatt’s clients have included U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, Congressman Richard Gephardt, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and many other nationally recognized government officials. Mr. Wyatt has also served as Chief Consultant in the California State Legislature. He has vast institutional knowledge of the issues, procedures and rules of the California State Legislature, and various other areas of government and public affairs.
Patty-Jo Rutland – Patty Jo Rutland Consulting, San Francisco
Patty-Jo Rutland is a seasoned political professional with over 35 years of experience in policy development, strategic planning, issue management, new business development, grassroots coalition building and campaign consulting. Currently, Patty-Jo manages her own consulting firm and an extensive client list. She is also currently working with The Rutland Group, a governmental relations consulting firm. Her past endeavors have included serving in the California State Assembly, as Deputy Administrative Officer, serving under then-Speaker Willie L. Brown Jr., serving with the the law firm of Rutland and Virtue, and continued her leadership as the Regional Vice President of Lockheed Martin IMS. One of her most notable successes was the successful procurement of a $40 million contract through a public-private partnership with the City and County of San Francisco while she served as the Regional Vice President of PRTW Services Inc.
George Broder, Senior Consultant
An independent consultant, George Broder provides guidance and strategic support to clients in the areas of Government Relations, Public Affairs, Communications and Media. Broder brings 31 years of experience in government, media, campaigns, public affairs, corporate communications and community relations to bear in service to his clientele, from his position as President, George Broder Group, LLC. Broder has served as the official spokesman of the Organizing Committee for the 1984 Olympic Games, a Special Assistant in the Office of Mayor Dianne Feinstein, and as Vice President/Public Affairs – California in the private sector with Patrick Media Group/Eller Media (now Clear Channel Outdoor), the nation’s largest outdoor advertising company.
Nebi Alemu, San Jose
Nebi Alemu has over 20 years history of professional management experience in media, technology and transportation companies. He also poses extraordinary results in leadership of nonprofit and private organizations where he has made successful engagements in national and International issues. Nebi is very active in political and grassroots community organizing, ethnic outreach, public speaking, diversity, and advocacy experience both internationally and domestically .He is also the principal organizer of grass roots campaigns and activities to help elect local, state and national politicians. Mr. Alemu earned a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from University of Phoenix and received a higher business education certificate from Stanford University.
Star Dormanesh, Director of Operations
Star oversees the day-to-day operations of Robinson Communications. As a life long member of Santa Clara County, she has always looked at what she can do to contribute to the bettering her community. She graduated with Honors from San Jose State University in May ’12 with a BA in Political Science. She also received Special Congressional Recognition after graduating from the Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute – Civic Leadership Program. During her time as a student she interned at Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, where she was able to work on a host of projects and events with other nonprofits and the City of San Jose. She was instrumental in working with the City of San Jose to create a outreach plan for nonprofits regarding the Reusable Bag Ordinance in January ’12. She currently serves as a commissioner on the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women.
Douglas S. Chan, Corporate Attorney
Douglas S. Chan is a founding partner in the law firm of Chan & Welch, LLP. Mr. Chan’s practice focuses on the representation of start-up enterprises with a particular emphasis on the financing and commercial issues faced by emerging companies. His practice is concentrated on transactions involving international and domestic business formation, joint ventures, technology licensing, product distribution and supply arrangements, asset protection, and strategic counseling for foreign and domestic firms. He has participated extensively in nonprofit, civic and governmental affairs. He is a former police commissioner, and he currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. Mr. Chan was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1981. He received his A.B. degree from Stanford University in 1976. He earned his J.D. degree from the University of California (King Hall) School of Law in 1981.
Bruce Smith, Chief Financial Officer
Bruce M. Smith brings a significant amount of executive and financial experience to BBRS, LLP. Mr. Smith has held key executive and financial positions with merging companies, as well as being a small business advisor. He is a Certified Public Accountant, and a seasoned financial professional with over 27 years of progressive accounting responsibility. Mr. Smith is a graduate of California State University Chico with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.
Kathy Torgersen, Palo Alto
With More than 25 years of experience in state and local politics, Kathy Torgersen brings expertise in campaign management, finance, communications and event planning to the Robinson team. As an independent consultant, her clients have included:
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Senator Joe Simitian, State Assemblyman Rich Gordon, Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss and numerous city council, school board and community college candidates. Ms. Torgersen has worked at every level of the campaign experience and has an in-depth knowledge of not only campaign strategy and finance, but also campaign messaging, community outreach and mobilization. A skilled fundraiser, she has developed innovative fundraising campaigns and has raised millions of dollars for community and educational non-profits that have provided them with a sustained source of funding.
Pacific Printing
Milagro Marketing
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