Government
Affairs
Consulting
- Since 1983 -
Staff
Robert Klaffky
Doug Preisse
Ben Kaiser
Ricardo Madrid
Services
Strategic Planning: We analyze our clients’ goals and develop an overall strategic plan for accomplishing the desired end result. VAA achieves this by involving our entire team of professionals and relies on our experience, judgment, and instincts to make a recommendation on a course of action. This approach may include a grassroots program and/or media relations in addition to a straightforward lobbying effort. Ongoing advice and counsel is crucial to ensure that the client stays focused on the end objectives.
Direct Lobbying: VAA employs its vast knowledge of state government to help our clients navigate Ohio’s complex political landscape. While our clients are often the top experts on their issues, we view our role as the frontline of defense. Our goal is to bridge the gap between our clients and the Statehouse. That means daily direct contact with legislators, executive agency officials, and other key decision makers. It also includes active legislative monitoring. With some 1,500 bills introduced each General Assembly, the ability to monitor action on legislation requires attention to detail. In the event a legislative action becomes critical, the firm is already educated on the issues and is prepared to fully engage in the process.
Government Procurement: The procurement of goods and services from the public sector is a massive public expenditure, totaling half a trillion dollars at the federal level and over five billion dollars in the state of Ohio. We invest time educating ourselves about our clients’ products and services so that we can recognize opportunities and take ideas to policy makers. Our goal is to inform the client, educate the purchaser, and thereby enhance the likelihood of success.
Political Consulting: Our firm provides its clients with strategic advice as it relates to issue campaigns, grassroots advocacy, and coalition building. With over three decades’ experience in Ohio politics, our firm has acquired an unparalleled level of political knowledge and skills. The members at VAA have managed campaigns at every level of government, generating a political network that spans all of Ohio’s 88 counties and across the nation. Our grassroots campaign efforts enable our clients to promote their interests to a mass citizen audience. VAA also has a considerable background in building coalitions of diverse industries and political interests. Constructing and maintaining a coalition takes sensitivity to various interests and requires a capacity to direct the membership towards common ground.
Political Intelligence: The media landscape of today has facilitated an environment where anyone can be a reporter. This excess of information can make it nearly impossible to distinguish fact from opinion. VAA’s political intelligence service provides clients with real-time, unbiased updates on matters impacting their business. We draw on our knowledge of the process and personal relationships, which can only be obtained as a result of our many years of experience and daily engagement in the business of government. The political insight we offer our clientele helps them make sound judgments on everything from business expansion to portfolio management.
Crisis Communication: At VAA, we recognize that the best way to handle crisis communications is to be prepared before the crisis occurs. However, the unexpected can happen and consideration must be given to the impact on all levels, including in the public sector. During these unexpected moments, we work with our clients on the appropriate means of communications, the message, and the targeted recipients. Who should know this before it’s in the paper? Who is told what and when? Crises can also offer unique opportunities to advance our goals when crafted appropriately.
