FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2016
CONTACT: Adam Sharon, 202-258-0616, adam@prime-strategies.com
Prime Strategies Significantly Expands Operations in California, Merging with Urban Associates, a Government Relations and Public Affairs Firm with Reach Throughout the Golden State
Prime Strategies’ offices are located in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C. and is an affiliate of Floridian Partners, a leading government relations firm with a two-decade track record of delivering excellence for its clients.
“California embraces diversity and inclusivity and is typically at the forefront of emerging state and local issues. For years our firm has championed causes and led coalitions for our clients in Sacramento, city halls, union halls, and corporate boardrooms throughout California. We are privileged to deliver this high level of service now for Prime Strategies,” said Pedro Carrillo, Managing Partner. “By coming together with Prime Strategies, we bring a more diverse set of capabilities to our clients and for the first time can offer services in Washington, D.C. and other major cities and states across the country.”
U.S. Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles), a longtime friend and associate, praised Pedro Carrillo for his continued leadership in California, stating: “Pedro is well respected by officials at all levels of government throughout California. He possesses the experience and know-how that elected leaders in California can trust. Pedro is received with tremendous respect in all communities throughout this state.”
“Leaders like Pedro Carrillo, Marcus Reese, and the team they assembled are the future of California,” said former Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-San Fernando). “This is an opportunity that was earned after years of working diligently and intelligently in California on behalf of communities who deserve to have their voices heard. The men and women working at Prime Strategies in California represent this state with pride, and they earned this incredible recognition.”
“We are honored to have Pedro and his supremely talented team join Prime Strategies. With their winning combination of deep knowledge of the issues, strategic thinking, and unparalleled work ethic, they are the perfect fit for our corporate culture and long term vision,” said Pat Maloy, Managing Partner of Prime Strategies. “We felt it was important to work with a team of professionals that reflected the diversity of California, as well as a team that had the talent and skill sets to deliver the same high level service and value equation we have always offered our clients. With this merger we have taken another major step towards achieving the quality growth and expansion we expect for Prime Strategies and our clients.”
Prime Strategies specializes in the intersection of government relations and public affairs, politics and policy, communications and public affairs. From city halls to state capitals, from the U.S. Congress to international capitals, from corporate board rooms to trade association offices, Prime Strategies is built to fulfill critical service needs for our clients in cities, states, and at the federal level.
First launched in Florida, Prime Strategies and Floridian Partners’ offices are co-located in Tallahassee, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami. Offices are now open throughout the country in Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
The California office of Prime Strategies includes the following team members:
Pedro Carrillo
Pedro is a government affairs professional with over two decades of experience working in California politics.
Pedro served as the principal consultant to the California Assembly Select Committee on Housing in the Silicon Valley, to the California Commission for Economic Development, and to the Speaker of the California Assembly. Additionally, he was twice appointed by California’s Governor to various commissions. Pedro has also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to a member of Congress, Chief of Staff to a member of the California State Assembly, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Director of Community Development and Planning in various local Los Angeles County jurisdictions.
Pedro has been recognized for his work during the City of Bell Municipal Crisis by the California League of Cities, Latino Caucus and was honored by the City of Los Angeles with a resolution acknowledging his efforts to restore trust, ethics, and fiscal sustainability as Interim City Administrator for the City of Bell. Pedro holds a degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
Marcus Reese
Marcus is a crisis communications specialist experienced in managing high profile issues that have received extensive coverage in financial, political, and international media. Marcus’ areas of expertise include:
• Issue and Reputation Management
• Government Relations
• Grassroots/Coalition Building
• Strategic Communications
Key duties have involved developing strategic crisis response plans to combat investigations, protests, propaganda campaigns,and attacks from elected officials, community groups, and activist investors among others. Additional tasks involved providing strategic, political, and communications counsel to C-level executives, developing client’s policy and advocacy agendas, and serving as the lead advocate representing clients before legislative, regulatory, and law enforcement bodies. Most recently, Marcus served as Vice-President for State & Local Government Affairs for Los Angeles-headquartered Herbalife, where he ran their 50-state government relations effort in response to an attack from an activist hedge funder. Prior to Herbalife, Marcus served as a public affairs consultant for clients facing regulatory and reputation issues.
Marcus was named to NYC’s City Hall’s Rising Stars 40 Under 40 and has been a contributor to the television program Inside City Hall. He holds a degree from Auburn University and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Frank Aguirre Jr.
Frank is a community and government affairs professional with over 14 years of experience working both in the private and public sectors. Frank has demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, event management, communications, community outreach, public relations, and planning and land use. Frank spent the last seven years with the largest Hispanic-focused retail grocer in the nation, developing their corporate and social responsibility strategy along with developing and managing their government affairs program. Additionally, Frank served for a California State Senator, California State Assemblymember,and a Los Angeles City Councilmember. Frank has worked and managed several political campaigns across Southern CA for current and former legislatures. Frank holds a degree from California State University, Northridge.
Erika Ramirez
Erika is a planning and land use professional with over 16 years of experience. Erika’s expansive expertise includes management from the level of program management to that of Director or CEO and within the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Erika has worked with elected officials or top executives to assess organizations and/or departments, reduce or maximize budgets, establish employee accountability, and implement policy and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and ensure compliance. Erika is also well versed in public policy, public administration, and coalition building. Erika received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside and her Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from New York University.
Kimberly Caceres
Kimberly is a local government and public affairs professional with over seven years of experience. Kimberly’s expertise includes coalition building, community outreach, media relations, and grassroots and grass tops campaigning. Kimberly has managed and worked on local campaigns throughout the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire for numerous local, state,and federal candidates. Kimberly was currently appointed to serve as a Board Member on the Mt San Antonio Community College Community Facility Plan Advisory Committee. Kimberly holds a degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
Enrique Vega
Enrique is a government and public affairs professional with over 12 years of experience. Enrique emphasizes his skills in coalition building, community outreach, and community organizing. He spent seven years working as a Field Representative for members of the California State Assembly, specifically to the Southeast Los Angeles communities. Additionally, Enrique was contracted by the Chief Executive Office of Los Angeles County to provide community outreach and community organizing services for residents of unincorporated communities in South Los Angeles. Enrique has worked on various local, statewide, and national campaigns and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the South Gate Chamber of Commerce and serves as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach. Enrique holds a degree from the California State University, Long Beach.