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WHO WE ARE

The Core Strategic Group is a premier holding company comprised of the best political, public affairs and association management practitioners in the world. Our broad range of operating companies brings together the most talented professionals with a passion for creating industry-leading public affairs programs. Our integrated network of companies serves the needs of the most innovative companies, political committees, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations across the country and around the globe.

LEADERSHIP

The leadership of the Core Strategic Group and our entire team are the industry’s most experienced and innovative public affairs specialists. We have a shared set of values that prioritize delivering excellent service and innovative strategies. We are committed to accountability to our clients and each other. And we prize collaboration, talent, and hire only the best. Our team is passionate about the work we do, dedicated to our clients’ success, and fearless about taking on new challenges.

JEFF FLINT

CEO, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP

CHERRI SPRIGGS

PRINCIPAL AND CHIEF CLIENT SERVICE OFFICER, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS

KRISTY BABB

PRINCIPAL AND CHIEF TALENT OFFICER / CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND CEO, THE CORE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

FRANK RIZZO

PRINCIPAL AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND PRESIDENT, FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JAMES FISFIS

PRINCIPAL AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND PRESIDENT, CHARIOT CAMPAIGNS

JERRY AMANTE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP

RYAN HAWKINS

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS & PRESIDENT, 1880 STRATEGIES

JOHN HOOPER

MANAGING DIRECTOR, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS

DAN KRAMER

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND PRESIDENT, KPA STRATEGIES

CARLOS MADRILES

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND VICE PRESIDENT, BADFISH MEDIA

DAVID MURILLO, CAE

PRINCIPAL AND PRESIDENT, THE CORE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

MIRANDA PINTO

CONTROLLER

ADAM ROSENBLATT

PRESIDENT, CORE DECISION ANALYTICS

DAVID WILSON

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO, C3 PUBLIC STRATEGIES

OUR FAMILY OF COMPANIES

The Core Strategic Group of companies has the scope to handle any challenge. We can scale our services based on a client’s goals. Sometimes just one of our companies is needed for a focused effort that demands a particular specialty. More complex projects may require a full and seamless deployment of all our firms. And with nearly 50 of the best public affairs, political campaign, association management, grassroots, and advertising professionals around and offices throughout the country, clients can be assured that their consultant team will operate seamlessly across all disciplines.

THE CORE STRATEGIC GROUP OF COMPANIES

NATIONAL REACH

ANAHEIM
AUSTIN
SACRAMENTO
SAN FRANCISCO
ST. LOUIS
WASHINGTON D.C.

SACRAMENTO

1800 J STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95811
916.448.4234

1 of 6 SAN FRANCISCO
650 California Street
7th FL
San Francisco, CA 94108
2 of 6

ANAHEIM

2099 S. STATE COLLEGE BLVD.
SUITE 630
ANAHEIM, CA 92806
949.336.4500

3 of 6

AUSTIN

11801 DOMAIN BLVD.
3RD FL
AUSTIN, TX 78758

4 of 6

ST. LOUIS

211 N BROADWAY
ST. LOUIS, MO 63102

5 of 6

WASHINGTON D.C.

1440 G ST NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20005

6 of 6

Jeff Flint

CEO, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP

Jeff is the CEO of Core Strategic Group and the Senior Partner in the firm. He oversees all aspects of the firm, including client services, project management, business development, and managing the business. Jeff has extensive experience in public relations and political campaigns.

Experience:

  • 12 years with Core Strategic Group (including predecessor company)
  • 30 years public relations/public affairs/political campaign/government experience
  • 11 years in the State Legislature, managing campaigns including those of the Chief of Staff and Political Director at Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle’s office
  • Former Vice President at Russo, Marsh+Rogers, Inc.
  • Former CEO of Flint Communications

Community Involvement:

  • President and Board Chairman, Placer United Soccer Club (2013-Present), Board member since 2010
  • Husband to an amazing wife and dad to five wonderful kids

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science, Political Science, Caltech

Cherri Spriggs

PRINCIPAL AND CHIEF CLIENT SERVICE OFFICER, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Cherri has managed day-to-day efforts and multi-million dollar budgets on behalf of a number of statewide and local initiative and referendum campaigns, Fortune 500 companies, local government agencies, non-profit organizations and associations.

Since 2012 she has lead the firm’s Latino Outreach and Spanish-Language team. Assimilating to the language and culture through study and living abroad, Cherri has spent much of her career developing and implementing culturally appropriate strategies for her clients. Her extensive experience and sage counsel makes her the go-to choice for clients seeking to deliver their messages to the Latino community.

Her record of success coupled with her unique collaborative approach to ballot initiative campaigns and traditional corporate public affairs programs has earned her a national reputation for being an intentional, strategic leader and a masterful tactical implementor. Cherri’s passion, dedication and vivacious spirit makes her a client favorite.

 

Experience:

  • Seven years with FSB Core Strategies
  • 20 years in public relations, public affairs, multicultural communications and ballot initiative campaigns with Porter Novelli, Edelman, VSP and California State University, Chico
  • Experienced in health care, education, transportation, insurance, tort reform, land use and patient advocacy issues
  • Served as Campaign Manager or Deputy Campaign Manager for 15 Statewide, Regional, and Local Ballot Initiatives in Transportation, Education, Land Use, Public Safety, Health Care and Tort Reform

 

Community Involvement:

  • Commissioner, Economic Development Commission, City of Lincoln
  • President, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member, Visit Placer
  • Board Member, Lighthouse Counseling & Family Resource Center
  • Director at Large, CSU Chico Department of Public Relations & Journalism Advisory Board
  • Sustaining Member, Junior League of Sacramento
  • Member, California Women’s Leadership Association
  • Member, California State Railroad Museum Foundation
  • Member, Crocker Art Museum

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, California State University, Chico
  • Minor, Spanish
  • Minor, Art History

Kristy Babb

PRINCIPAL, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND CEO, THE CORE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Kristy is a Principal and CEO of The Core Management Company. She oversees TCMC’s administrative operations and leads a number of TCMC’s client teams. For nearly two decades she has excelled at developing integrated communication campaigns for corporate, government and nonprofit clients including Ford Motor Company, Western Carwash Association, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, California Travel Association and the Dairy Council of California. Kristy is currently enrolled in the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) program. 

 

Experience:

  • 12 years with the Core Strategic Group Family of Companies
  • 20 years public relations/public affairs, political campaign management, and association management experience
  • A leader in strategic design, branding, message development and community-based outreach
  • Former Director of Communications, Dairy Council of California
  • Former Project Manager, The Hoyt Company

 

Community Involvement:

  • Past Board Director, Folsom Chamber of Commerce
  • Honorary Board Member, Raley’s Food for Families
  • Volunteer, Friends of the NICU
  • Wife and mom to two awesome boys

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science, Political Science, University California Davis
  • Minor, Communications

Frank Rizzo

PRINCIPAL AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND PRESIDENT, FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Frank Rizzo is President of FSB Public Affairs. He has over twenty-five years of political and public affairs experience and has led grassroots public affairs campaigns in over forty states and Canada. He is an expert at developing and managing grassroots campaigns to influence legislative, regulatory, and policy decisions at the federal, state, and local level for corporate and trade association clients. Frank has also managed various ballot and independent expenditure campaigns around the country. Frank has worked some of the country’s largest companies on wind and solar energy projects, cannabis issues, waste facilities, and mixed-use and commercial developments. His experience with community outreach extends to projects involving NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), and CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), as well as many state and local environmental regulations around the country.

 

Experience:

Frank spent fifteen years working on political campaigns throughout the country at all levels including presidential campaigns, congressional races, legislative and county races. He has also worked for some of the country’s leading political consulting firms producing television, radio, and direct mail advertisements.

  • Founding Partner at Five Corners Strategies
  • Division Manager at Saint Consulting
  • Service Employees International Union
  • Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
  • White House Office of Management and Budget

 

Community Involvement:

  • East Bay Leadership Council
  • Impact Diable Valley, Founding Member
  • Public Affairs Council

 

Education:

  • Harvard Business School’s “Leading Professional Services Firms” program
  • University of California-Davis CEQA CLE land-use program
  • MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program “Deal with an Angry Public”
  • Masters in Public Policy, The Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University of Albany in New York
  • Bachelor of Science, History, and Politics from Drexel University in Pennsylvania

James Fisfis

PRINCIPAL, AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND PRESIDENT, CHARIOT CAMPAIGNS

Chariot’s President and founder James Fisfis has over two decades’ experience in U.S. and international political campaigns, including 18 years in California. He is the recipient of six AAPC “Pollie” Awards and three Reed Award nominations for his successful and innovative ad campaigns to elect moderates in deeply partisan districts in California, which earned him the Silver “Pollie” Award for best Candidate Media Campaign of the 2014 election cycle.

In addition to his award-winning media consulting for political candidates and elected officials, James has conducted and directed over 500 political and public affairs surveys and focus groups – in the United States and in over 20 countries on four continents – for Fortune 500 companies and business and technology organizations.

Prior to founding Chariot in 2006, James served in the California State Assembly as Political and Communications Director for three consecutive Minority Leaders.

Jerry Amante

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP

Jerry serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the firm. Based in Orange County, Jerry serves as General Manager of the Orange County office and leads business development efforts throughout the southern California region.  Jerry possesses nearly 40 years of real estate and land use law, business and corporate law, political and government experience.

 

Experience:

  • Seven years at Core Strategic Group
  • Ten years in public office, including Council Member, Mayor and as a Board Member and Chairman of several regional government agencies
  • Nearly 40 years of practicing law in complex transactions and litigation in California; Admitted to all California State and Federal courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

Community Involvement:

  • Former Mayor, City of Tustin
  • Former Chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors
  • Former Chairman of the Transportation Corridor Authority (TCA) Board of Directors
  • Former Member of LOSSAN Board of Directors
  • Past President, California League of Cities, Orange County Division
  • Past President, Association of California Cities, Orange County
  • Former Chair/Past Chair/Board Member of multiple Boards, the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, The Irvine and Tustin Exchange Clubs and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, among others
  • Instructor / Lecturer on Public Policy at various So. Cal Universities & Colleges
  • Former member of the Association of California Cities Emeritus Council
  • Current Chair of Heroes and Healthy Families
  • Former Host, The City Square radio show on OC Talk Radio
  • Current Host, Java with Jerry Radio Show / Podcast

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, UCLA
  • Juris Doctor, Southwestern University School of Law

Ryan Hawkins

Senior Vice President, FSB Public Affairs & President, 1880 Strategies

Originally from Oklahoma, Ryan has worked on behalf of some of the toughest political and public affairs campaigns throughout the country. His experience in moving the needle is invaluable for anyone looking to win in today’s tough political climate.

In 2004, Ryan was a regional political and financial services director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee helping to go 4/4 with special elections. That work in 2004 helped lay the groundwork for the House to turn Democratic in 2006. After two successful cycles at Democratic voter contact firms, Ryan founded and was the President of the AAPC Pollie Award Winding Creek Group from 2009-2020. His work with the Democratic National Committee Analytics team and the Obama for America 2012 Analytics Team revolutionized political calling leading Caroline Grey, OFA Director of Operations for Analytics to say, “Their work on our tracking polls and modeling ID’s was integral to our success on Election Day. We’ve worked with them through vocabulary changes in ‘data’, ‘targeting’ and ‘analytics’ and will continue our relationship with them wherever we go.” Very few people bring the depth of knowledge and value-added approach Ryan will bring to your project.

In addition to his political resume, Ryan is an expert at land-use project management as well as corporate communications. Whether it’s gaining approval for wind turbines in Oklahoma, fighting to block a coal plant in South Dakota or helping navigate out of a media crisis in Missouri, Ryan has the expertise along with the experience to back it up to solve all of your corporate communication needs.

Along with his daughter and her dog, Ryan lives in St. Louis, Missouri where they both enjoy attending Cardinals baseball games even though he is a die-hard Dodgers fan but he has finally given up on her being one as well.

 

Experience:

  • Founder and President, Winding Creek Group
  • Principal, Hilltop Public Strategies
  • Senior Advisor, Mike Bloomberg for President
  • Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Community Involvement:

  • Board Member, Community Education Alliance of Missouri
  • Board Member, De La Salle, Inc
  • Board Member, Country Club of St Albans
  • Presenter, Public Affairs Council of Canada
  • Presenter, Latin American Political Consultants Association

Education:

  • Northeastern State University

John Hooper

ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE MANAGER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Over the pat 20 years, John has played important roles on political, public affairs and corporate social responsibility campaigns across the country and internationally including helping to pioneer domestic and international digital advocacy strategies for foreign governments, fortune 100 companies and international nonprofit organizations. Most recently, John was a managing director leading the public affairs practice for Group SJR, a New York digital strategy firm owned by WPP.   Previously, he ran the Washington DC office for the California Department of Education, advised legislative leadership on policy and political strategy and lobbied for the California Chamber of Commerce.

 

Experience:

  • 15 years in several key roles at the California State Capitol. 
  • Housing & Land Use, Banking & Finance, Education lobbyist for the California Chamber of Commerce representing the California business community.
  • Ran select field operations and special projects for two Speakers of the California State Assembly
  • Managed federal affairs for the California Department of Education under Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson
  • Managing Director at a leading NYC digital strategy firm Group SJR (owned by WPP) and led corporate communications and digital content strategy efforts for fortune 100 companies, foreign governments and international nonprofits.

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts, Government, California State University, Sacramento
  • Masters of Business Administration, Pepperdine University

Dan Kramer

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND PRESIDENT, KPA STRATEGIES

Dan Kramer, President of KPA Strategies, has more than 20 years experience in political, campaign and trade association management, investigative research and public relations. He is an expert in developing and implementing effective public affairs campaigns for businesses, institutions and individuals under attack from competitors, activists, political and regulatory officials, and the media. Dan holds both a B.A. and Master’s degrees from the University of Southern California.

Carlos Madriles

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, CORE STRATEGIC GROUP AND VICE PRESIDENT, BADFISH MEDIA

Carlos brings a diverse business and communications background and over 13 years in marketing and design experience to the Core Strategic Group team. Using his proficiency in graphic design, video production, web design work, 3D space layouts, and event production, Carlos implements his experience in marketing and branding principles to deliver effective collateral pieces across several different mediums. Carlos understands the importance of being a student to the ever evolving marketing and creative world. Based in the Core Strategic Group Orange County office, Carlos has worked hand in hand with the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce on countless initiatives, election campaigns, community engagement campaigns, advocacy issues, and economic development policies over the past 9 years.

 

EXPERIENCE

• Former Lead Designer for a retail design company
• Former Director of Communications for the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce
• Over 9 years of public affairs work, leading the design and implementation of
campaign websites, logos, mailing collateral, and social media marketing
campaigns
• Proficient in Video Production and design suites Final Cut Pro, Adobe
Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Sketchup

David A. Murillo, CAE

PRINCIPAL AND PRESIDENT, THE CORE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

David is a Principal and the President of The Core Management Company. He is the vision driver of TCMC and primary liaison to our client Boards. He provides executive level services, and assists in strategic planning, government affairs and PAC management for our clients. He possesses a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and is currently enrolled in the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) program. A respected leader in the realm of association executives, David was named the 2019 Association Executive of the Year by the California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE). He  currently serves as CalSAE’s Vice Chair & Secretary and is in line to become Chair of the Board in 2020. 

 

Experience:

  • Nearly 20 years of trade association/membership/risk management experience, including, executive management, marketing, program development, and communication with membership and public agencies
  • Has served in an executive director capacity for national, state and local trade associations and professional societies
  • Served as membership executive for California Restaurant Association and American Council of Engineering Companies of California
  • Strong background in insurance programs and risk management
  • Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
  • Completed half of curriculum of Institute of Organizational Management program, expected completion June 2020
  • 2019 CalSAE Executive of the Year

 

Community Involvement:

  • Current Vice Chair of the  California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE)
  • Member of the American Society of Association Executives
  • Former President of the California Capital Region Sigma Chi Alumni Association

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, California State University, Sacramento

Miranda Pinto

CONTROLLER

Miranda Pinto joined the Core Strategic Group team as our Administrative Services Director. Miranda brings nearly 15 years of experience in administrative management which includes finances, human resources, employee development, and office management.

 

Experience:

  • 13 years as Administrative Accounting Assistant/Office Manager for private educators
  • Two years as Office Manager for a mergers and acquisitions firm

 

Education:

  • Obtaining a degree in Business Administration

Adam Rosenblatt

PRESIDENT, CORE DECISION ANALYTICS, INC.

Adam Rosenblatt is a proven expert at leveraging research and analytics to understand and influence opinion and behavior.

President of Core Decision Analytics (CODA), the opinion insights and data analytics division of the Core Strategic Group, Adam designs and executes cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative, and data analytics programs for campaigns and non-political clients.

Campaigns & Elections magazine designated Adam as a non-partisan “Rising Star” and his experience spans from Fortune 500 corporations and prominent trade associations, to government agencies and major political campaigns.

During the 2018 and 2016 election cycles, Adam led complex predictive analytics programs in California that enabled victory in key races through data-driven targeting and messaging.

For his role in the 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial race, Adam was recognized with the Telly Award, a Pollie Award, and three Reed Awards. For his role in crafting the research-based communications campaign that led to the passage and later defense of interchange (swipe fee) reform, Adam was recognized with American Association of Political Consultants 2012 Silver Pollie Award for “Best in Show Public Affairs Campaign” as well as the 2010 Reed Award for “Best U.S. Public Affairs Campaign.”

Adam has served as an Adjunct Professor of Research and Strategic Communications at American University in Washington DC, where he received a Master of Arts in Applied Politics as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Public Communication.

David Wilson

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO, C3 PUBLIC STRATEGIES

David M. Wilson is Executive Vice President and CFO of C3 Public Strategies, Inc., managing partner of the firm. David oversees all corporate and political clients as well as campaign grassroots management. David has a lifelong passion for politics and a deep understanding of direct voter contact through grassroots communications.

A Sacramento native, David grew up in the political arena and has extensive experience in the industry aiding over 120 municipal, legislative, and congressional campaigns. David’s career has led him across California contributing to his expertise of California and it’s political geography. David resides in Newport Beach and anchors C3’s Southern California office.

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