Fleishman Hillard: The Political View

Michael von Herff

Michael von Herff is Senior Vice President, Senior Partner, and Regional Director at Fleishman-Hillard in Ottawa. Since joining Fleishman-Hillard more than 17 years ago, he has worked with clients in a wide range of industry sectors including transportation, mining and metals, chemicals, and automotive, as well as communications and distribution. He has particular experience in national and international campaigns requiring the integration of government relations, public policy, and strategic communications expertise. Michael has overseen the development and implementation of some of the largest public affairs campaigns both in Canada and across Europe. He has also managed a variety of corporate communications challenges ranging from strikes and plant closures, to product recalls, corporate governance crises, and major corporate reputation issues.

Paul Monlezun

Paul Monlezun is a Senior Vice President with Fleishman-Hillard’s Ottawa office, where he develops strategies for public and private sector clients. Before becoming a consultant, Paul worked for Brian Tobin and had a front row seat for Canada’s ”˜turbot war’ with the European Union, the Canada-US salmon war and the Canada rally. He has been involved in Federal Liberal politics since the 1979 election.

Kevin Macintosh

Kevin Macintosh is a Senior Vice President and government relations specialist from the FH Ottawa office. Kevin spent ten years on Parliament Hill working for the Mulroney and Campbell Tories, and Harper Conservatives. Among his roles, he was executive assistant to a former Minister of Science and Minister Responsible for Small Businesses and more recently served as a senior aide to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson when he was Chief Opposition Whip in the 38th Parliament. At Queen's Park as part of the Harris Government, Kevin’s assignments included roles as communications manager at the former Ontario Jobs and Investment Board, and as a communications advisor in the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Energy, Science, and Technology.

Blake Johnston

Blake Johnston is Senior Vice President at Fleishman-Hillard's Ottawa office and leads FH Canada’s Food & Agribusiness Practice. Blake works with numerous account teams to implement winning strategies for leading companies in all parts of the Food & Agribusiness value chain - from food processing companies and grocery retailers, to crop science innovators. Blake has been a dedicated student of the policy, regulatory and political dynamics of these highly regulated issue areas, and offers clients strong relationships and experience in public affairs and issues management in the food, agribusiness and consumer packaged goods sector.

Eric Lamoureux

Éric Lamoureux is a Vice President with Fleishman-Hillard in Ottawa and Montréal. Éric has over eight years of experience as a communications, stakeholder and issues management strategist and public affairs professional. Prior to joining FH, Éric spent the last two years as chief of staff to the mayor of Ottawa, where he was responsible for external and internal communications, media relations, as well as all facets of policy, political and strategic issues management. Before working in municipal politics, Éric worked at the federal level with two consecutive federal governments. While on Parliament Hill, he was a policy advisor to the senior Québec Federal Minister at Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Health and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Mark Blevis

Mark Blevis is an Associate Vice President in Fleishman-Hillard’s Ottawa office, developing Fleishman-Hillard’s digital public affairs capability. A pioneer and thought-leader in the digital space, Mark has consulted on digital communications and engagement as a brand strategy for companies in the high-tech, pharmaceutical, financial services, energy and publishing industries and co-founded several successful online communities. In addition to consulting, Mark has a popular blog on digital engagement and is passionate about promoting child literacy and great books.

Brian Klunder

Brian Klunder is an Associate Vice President in Fleishman-Hillard’s Ottawa office. Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, Brian spent 16 years working in Canadian federal politics, including various roles advising federal cabinet ministers including the Minister of Health, the Minister of Transport and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Greg MacNeil

Greg MacNeil is an Account Director at Fleishman-Hillard in Ottawa. He has expertise with internal communications, labour, public policy and regulatory issues affecting a wide range of clients. Greg has been involved in lobbying campaigns on major consumer and regulatory issues, assisted clients facing labour disruptions and has provided strategic communications counsel on managing critical relationships with stakeholders. Greg also has strong quantitative and qualitative research experience obtained in both the public and private sectors. A long time political activist, Mr. MacNeil worked as a Special Assistant to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade. Greg has also worked on two federal campaigns for the Liberal Party of Canada. During the 2006 Federal Election, he was a member of Prime Minister Paul Martin’s National Tour.

Meagan Hatch

Meagan Hatch is a Senior Consultant at Fleishman-Hillard and is based in Ottawa. Before joining Fleishman-Hillard (FH), she worked for an international trade consulting firm specializing in government relations and parliamentary affairs. Meagan provides strategic advice on policy formulation with respect to agriculture and agri-food and health. Meagan has extensive public sector experience, having served as a legislative aide in two consecutive federal governments. In addition, Meagan holds a strong background in media relations, and developing and implementing local and national communication strategies.

Matt Salvatore

Matt Salvatore is a senior consultant with Fleishman-Hillard Ottawa. He works with numerous account teams, building communications strategies and executing tactics. Prior to joining Fleishman-Hillard, he was with a prominent national public relations and public affairs firm in Ottawa.

Dietwald Claus

Dietwald Claus is a Senior Consultant in the Ottawa office. He arrived in Canada thirteen years ago from Germany. Dietwald specializes in policy analysis and research in the food and agricultural and natural resources sectors. He has earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree in European and Russian Area Studies from Carleton University.

Brian Innes

Brian Innes is a Consultant at Fleishman-Hillard’s Ottawa office where he contributes research and analysis to serve a variety of clients in the public and private sector. Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, Mr. Innes was part of the Parliamentary Internship Programme where he gained a global understanding of the interface between politics and policy by experiencing the legislatures of Ottawa, Washington, Brussels, London, Edinburgh, Quebec and Iqaluit. Brian holds a M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan.

Ron Guirguis

Ron Guirguis is a Senior Vice President and Senior Partner in Fleishman-Hillard’s New York office. Ron is Co-Chair of FH's Global Public Affairs Practice. He has more than 15 years experience providing government relations, strategic communications and public affairs support to clients in telecommunications, transportation, defence and food & beverage industries. Ron has developed and executed national and international public affairs campaigns for numerous clients, helping identify stakeholders, engage decision-makers, and drive digital strategies to support government relations objectives. Prior to joining FH, Ron worked in the federal civil service with the Department of Agriculture and with International Trade.

Bill Walker

Bill Walker is General Manager in Fleishman-Hillard's Toronto office. Bill has over 20 years of experience reporting for a number of Canadian newspapers and years serving as Senior Communications Counsel to public and private sector organizations. During his two decades with the Toronto Star, Walker was one of the leading political journalists in Canada. Having held bureau chief positions at Queen’s Park, Parliament Hill and Washington, D.C., during President George W. Bush’s first term, Walker covered some of the most controversial issues affecting Canadians. More recently, he has been the senior advisor to some of Canada’s most respected business leaders.

Anne-Marie Quinn

Anne Marie Quinn is a Senior Vice President and Partner in the Toronto office. Before joining FH, she was manager, government relations for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) where she developed strategies and recommendations on major issues facing the CA profession at the federal level. She has also conducted research and developed policies for the Official Opposition under Liberal Leader Lyn McLeod, and worked for the Ministers of Government Services and Colleges and Universities in the Peterson government. She also served as an executive assistant to a Metro councillor in Toronto, where she developed extensive knowledge in areas such as transportation and property taxation.

David Kaiser

David Kaiser joined Fleishman-Hillard Toronto as Senior Vice President in July 2008. He has an extensive background in marketing and communications, finance, management, and business strategy. His career has included high-profile roles in the financial services, technology, and telecom industries. David spent six years with Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange. During the recent commodities boom, David was responsible for the exchanges’ mining and oil & gas listings business. His strategy centred on increasing the exposure of TSX internationally, and he often spoke publicly on behalf of the exchanges. David was also Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee for the Canadian Investors Relations Institute and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries.

Melissa Cassar

Melissa Cassar is an Senior Vice President who works in the FH Toronto office. With more than seven years of communications and government relations experience she has worked in both private and public sector environments. She provides strategic communications and government relations counsel for portfolio of clients including Visa, CFA Institute, State Street Global Advisors, FEI Canada, Economic Club of Toronto, the Canadian Payday Loan Association, the Ontario Chiropractic Association, the Association of International Automobile Manufactures of Canada and Medtronic. Melissa has also served as a policy advisor and legislative aide in two consecutive federal governments, as well as at Queen’s Park. Her expertise includes execution of national campaigns, driving regulatory change, as well as crisis and issues management.

Barbara Laidlaw

Barbara Laidlaw is a vice president with Fleishman-Hillard in Toronto and is a senior member of FH Canada’s National Food and Agriculture Practice. Ms. Laidlaw joined FH in 2007, bringing more than 12 years of experience in various sectors including public affairs, legal, government, professional services, technical, B-to-C, B-to-B, digital media, and advertising. Ms. Laidlaw has a proven track record of successfully managing complex public policy and regulatory issues for clients, as well as developing and executing digital outreach, stakeholder engagement and media relations plans in support of major public affairs campaigns on key issues facing the food and agricultural sector in Canada.

Shanna Brisebois

Shanna Brisebois is an associate vice-president at Fleishman-Hillard’s Toronto office as part of the public affairs team. Ms. Brisebois brings to Fleishman-Hillard an extensive background in senior roles at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill in the areas of communications, strategic planning, stakeholder relations, public policy and political strategy. Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, Ms. Brisebois served as a senior advisor to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Health Promotion and MPP Liaison to the Minister of Consumer and Business Services. She also worked federally at the Liberal National Caucus Research Bureau as a policy advisor on the Prime Minister’s Taskforce on the Four Western Provinces and as a field organizer at the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario).

Daniel Madge

Daniel Madge is a consultant at Fleishman-Hillard Canada in Ottawa. He is a public affairs strategist, specializing in stakeholder outreach, communications and public relations. He has experience in the financial, natural resources, food and beverage, health, government and non-profit sectors. Mr. Madge holds a Master of Science degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Wilfrid Laurier University.

John Sparks

John Sparks is a Senior Vice President and Partner in Fleishman-Hillard's Calgary office. John leads the firm’s Natural Resource and Energy practice group and provides strategic counsel to resource companies and their leadership teams. John is a seasoned communications professional with three decades of diverse experience in Canadian business, media, education, and government affairs. He has worked throughout Canada providing creative communications, unique analysis, executive counsel and leadership to major Canadian and international firms in the manufacturing, natural resources and energy sectors.

Monte Solberg

The Honourable Monte Solberg P.C., is a Senior Advisor based in Fleishman-Hillard's Calgary office. He provides strategic counsel and communications advice to some of Canada’s largest organizations. Prior to joining FH, Monte served as the Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat Alberta and held the office of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. Monte also writes a popular weekly column for the Sun Newspapers and frequently appears as a political commentator on national television. He continues to speak on public policy issues across Canada and internationally.

Colleen Mason

Colleen Mason is a Associate Vice President from Calgary who worked for the Canadian Alliance and the Conservative Party of Canada for approximately six years. She has worked in the leader’s office, political operations office, and for a Saskatchewan member of Parliament. Colleen was one of three key staff tasked with implementing the historic Canadian Alliance/PC party merger. She toured the country with the national campaign manager delivering election readiness training to local campaigns. Through the 2004 campaign cycle and prelude she was the regional desk manager for Ontario, and was responsible for 104 of the nominations and campaign preparations in those ridings. She also served in the 2006 federal election as the national coordinator for the persuasion phone bank for the Conservative Party of Canada.

Bryan Thomas

Bryan Thomas is a Senior Vice President at the Fleishman-Hillard Calgary office. The former president of Thomas Crncich & Partners of London, Ontario, Bryan gained a national reputation in the field of political, government, and public affairs communications as a strategist for the Reform Party of Canada, Canadian Alliance, PC Party of Ontario, Saskatchewan Party, Ontario Ministry of Health, and the Ontario Ministry of Education. He played a key role in the development and communication of public affairs and policy issues.

Bill Black

Bill is Senior Vice President and Senior Partner at Fleishman-Hillard in Washington, D.C. He is also co-chair of Fleishman-Hillard’s global public affairs practice. He is a skilled government and political affairs professional with more than 25 years of experience both inside and outside of government in Washington, D.C. His expertise spans a range of communications disciplines, including strategic communications counsel, policy advocacy, and crisis communications. Bill has provided counsel to such organizations as Abbott, AT&T, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, United Airlines, the American Ambulance Association, the Peres Center for Peace, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and many others. He offers deep expertise in the political and policy process helping clients deal with both opportunities and challenges. He is an adjunct professor in issues management at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management and serves on the board of directors of the Public Affairs Council.

Dave Senay

Dave is President and CEO of Fleishman-Hillard International Communications. During his 30-year career in public relations, Dave has worked across multiple communications practices throughout several regions of the world, and been a driving force in the growth and development of the world’s leading communications firm. Dave has participated on or led global account teams for major Fleishman-Hillard clients in industries ranging from telecommunications, biotechnology, and information technology to food, healthcare and automotive. He has broad experience in corporate and crisis communications along with consumer marketing, international, public affairs and environmental programs. In his role as CEO, Dave is transforming the agency to respond to major trends such as the convergence of social media with traditional communication channels, and the growing globalization of client communications needs.

Mark Reder

Mark Reder is a Senior Vice President and Senior Partner and is the General Manager of Fleishman-Hillard Vancouver, leading the public affairs and communications team in British Columbia. Mr. Reder also advises clients in a wide range of practice areas, including stakeholder, community, government and media relations, public consultation, advocacy and issues management. He advises some of the leading public and private sector organizations operating in British Columbia on matters such as major project developments, crisis situations, policy and legislative change, and corporate change and restructuring. Before joining FH in 1997, Mr. Reder served as the commercial and economic consul at the British High Commission in Canada, where he was a key advocate of British interests in Western Canada. He has also served as a policy advisor to a provincial Cabinet Minister and has been actively involved in party politics in B.C.

Anna Lilly

Anna Lilly is a communication strategist specializing in public affairs, media relations, and corporate communications. A former business journalist, she has worked as a communications consultant in the technology, arts and non-profit sectors. She currently serves clients in a variety of industries, including transportation, real estate, financial services and natural resources. Prior to joining Fleishman-Hillard, she was Director of Community Relations to the Mayor of Vancouver.

Jeremy Twigg

Jeremy is a Senior Consultant specializing in media relations. Drawing on his journalism and broadcast background, he has worked on national public affairs campaigns for such clients as Disney, Cathay Pacific and AstraZeneca; and on regional initiatives for the Canadian Payday Loan Association and Yahoo! Canada. Jeremy has also conducted media relations for leading organizations in energy, plastics, mining, and biotechnology.

Don Stickney

Don Stickney is a Senior Consultant based in Vancouver. Don has more than seven years experience in the communications and public affairs fields, and has contributed to successful programs in the health, advanced education, environmental, natural resource, and procurement sectors. Don joined Fleishman-Hillard in 2008 after spending several years managing his own public affairs company. Don began his career in the Federal public service, serving in senior advisory roles to the Minister of Industry and the Minister of State (Multiculturalism), among others.