A unique blend of experienced professionals

	Jim Harris , President
	With more than 40 years of experience working in all facets of governmental and public affairs, Jim possesses the ability to quickly assess an issue, determine the critical components and recommend the appropriate solution. Jim specializes in strategic communications planning, organization and response, and has developed and implemented many communications issues management and public/community relations programs nationwide. In addition, he has lobbied the legislature, executive and regulatory branches of Louisiana government for clients on a daily basis for the past 26 years. Over the years, Jim has developed and managed numerous multi-industry coalitions in the legislative and public policy arenas. Prior to establishing HDA, Jim served as a working member of the media, press secretary to a Louisiana governor and held key management positions in several state agencies, including those managing transportation, health, economic development and environmental quality. In addition, Jim specializes in political and media consultation and has served as a campaign coordinator in several statewide elections.
	Renwick P. DeVille , Vice President
	Renny's forte is the ability to assess concerns, anticipate their ramifications on a client's programs and develop the appropriate issues management strategies. Using public opinion assessment techniques, he has the expertise to measure the pulse of an area on specific issues and incorporate those opinions into proactive communications programs. Renny has developed successful communications strategies for managing many volatile issues, including litigation public relations, environmental justice and crisis communications. Renny holds a master's degree in natural science from Louisiana State University and has extensive experience in governmental and public affairs.
	Susan Aguilar
	Susan has worked for some 20 years in administrative management at HDA and provides coordination and support of the firm's office and project activities. Susan specializes in special events planning. She also manages HDA's polling activities and data, coordinates communications training and organizes focus groups. She is also responsible for coordination of client contracts and proposals. Susan oversees administrative activities for both the Baton Rouge and Mobile offices.
	Michelle deLaup
	Michelle’s focus during her three years at HDA has included evaluating public opinion assessments, developing public relations programs for HDA clients and assisting in the strategic planning process. She has coordinated a major multi-industry effort to develop programs and assist non-profits in delivering an educational and preventive health program. She has also been heavily involved in the design and development of a nationwide community relations program. Prior to joining HDA, Michelle worked for a New Orleans law firm and as an assistant to a District Judge. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and minors in Business and French. In the spring she will receive her LSU Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, with concentrations in issues management and film studies.
	Elliot Hutchinson
	Elliot has worked in every facet of public and governmental relations during his seven-year tenure at HDA. Starting as a student worker and later becoming an associate, he has extensive experience in governmental affairs and media relations and has coordinated the development and implementation of several public relations programs. He has also been heavily involved in multi-media development and production in a number of statewide issues campaigns. Elliot graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration from Louisiana State University. He is the recipient of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana ‘s Jack H. Sanders Memorial Award for demonstrating proficiency, excellence and dedication to pursuing a public relations career.
	Brad A. Lambert
	Brad specializes in issues management and strategic communications planning. Further responsibilities include media and governmental relations, public opinion analysis, media and crisis communications training and litigation public relations. He does considerable writing about and tracking of politics and public policy issues, with expertise in environmental justice. In the 1990s, Brad had three scholarly articles published in an international business journal. Brad is one of HDA’s primary media and communications trainers, having conducted more than 20 media training sessions for clients across the U.S. in 2007 alone. He has also responded to a number of actual crisis events over the years to assist clients and support their interests. Brad is a 1991 cum laude graduate of Louisiana State University with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 1997, he earned a Master’s of Public Administration degree, also from LSU. He has also served as an adjunct instructor at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. Before joining HDA in 1992, Brad wrote about sports for Baton Rouge’s only daily newspaper, The Advocate. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and the Alumni Board for LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. In November 2006, Brad was recognized by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report as a “40 Under 40” recipient, and he was a 2007 inductee into the Redemptorist High School Hall of Fame.
	Blythe B. Lamonica
	Blythe brings more than 10 years of public relations experience to HDA specializing in public affairs and media relations. Her main responsibilities at HDA include coalition building and management drawing upon her expertise in government relations, issues management and development of strategic communications plans. In addition to her work in public affairs and media relations, Blythe also assists clients with advertising campaigns and event management. With a background in crisis communications, she has worked on several high-profile crises and public relations events, including national trade disputes, aviation disasters, labor disputes and food recalls. Prior to joining HDA, Blythe worked for GCI Kamer Singer in San Francisco, California and Xenophon Strategies in Washington, DC. She earned a Bachelors of Art in History from Louisiana State University. She and her husband, Neal, reside in Baton Rouge and have two sons, Davis and Sam Henry.
	Ginny Martinez
	Growing up “inside the Capitol,” and with nearly a decade of experience in governmental relations, Ginny brings her unique knowledge of Louisiana’s political process to the table. As a consultant to numerous political campaigns, including that of a former Louisiana governor, as well as her experience working in the communications office for a U.S. Senator, Ginny is able to effectively communicate a “beyond the headlines” perspective to both clients and lawmakers. Although Ginny has worked on numerous political and communications campaigns for industrial manufacturing and transportation sector clients, she has also played an active role on behalf clients in the ever-increasingly important health sector. Ginny graduated with honors from the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University.
	Libby McKerley
	Working as HDA’s chief accountant for the past 17 years, Libby controls all financial operations for the firm, including project cost analysis and personnel accounting. She also acts as our computer network administrator, assessing and procuring all staff technical needs. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Management Administration and a minor in finance, she worked for several organizations as a financial officer and has continued her education in accounting and computer software and system management.
	Shannon Mickey
	Shannon has more than 14 years of administrative management experience at HDA. She manages HDA's administrative support staff, as well as, client, legislative and administrative databases. She is also involved in special event coordination and assists the associates with the implementation of communications projects and campaigns. Shannon also serves as HDA’s event manager for various legislative campaign fundraisers and events. Prior to joining HDA, she served in administrative management at a major corporation.
	Elizabeth Perry
	Elizabeth serves as art director and production manager for HDA and has nearly 20 years of experience in graphic design, advertising and print production. Her responsibilities include designing and producing all print material and providing overall quality assurance. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design Technology from Louisiana State University and has been awarded professional recognition locally and regionally for her graphic design work and creativity. Her previous work experience has been with advertising agencies, printing companies and publishing firms. Elizabeth currently serves on the board of directors for the Advertising Federation of Greater Baton Rouge.
	Kim Phillips
	Kim specializes in communications strategy, media relations, community outreach, writing and graphic design. She has been involved in the development of branding and community relations programs for numerous HDA clients and developed model community relations plans and guidance documents for manufacturing facilities across the country. Kim also assists in preparing bi-weekly public and governmental affairs memos for HDA’s retainer clients. Prior to joining HDA, she worked with a local television station, writing and designing for its Web site and on air commercials. Earlier, she served as director of public relations at a local non-profit organization. Kim is a Louisiana State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. While working full time, she continued her education at LSU and will receive a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts in the spring, with concentrations in issues management and political communication.
	Clark Vega
	Clark is HDA's project and legislative researcher for the past 17 years. He is responsible for collecting and maintaining various in-house databases, including media lists, public officials rosters and company site profiles, and coordinating project tasks for multi-member industry groups. He is also responsible for maintaining the legislative bill tracking system and coordinating the flow of information to and from clients during legislative sessions. In addition, Clark monitors the progress of client issues in the environmental, tax and business development arenas. He also has experience in conducting opinion research. Clark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana State University.
	Randall Womack
	Randall has spent his time over the past 17 years, on behalf of HDA clients, lobbying the legislative, executive and regulatory branches of state government. He has served as a special assistant to two Louisiana governors and also served as an appointed director of Boards and Commissions for the state of Louisiana. He has provided a wide range of services to political campaigns, including logistics coordination and campaign strategy. He has extensive experience in legislative lobbying and is a veteran in congressional, gubernatorial and legislative campaigns. Prior to entering the political arena, he worked in law enforcement.
	Stephen Zerangue
	Steve specializes in crisis communications and response, strategic communications planning and implementation, and conducts media and communications training for HDA. He has written and installed numerous crisis communications plans for industrial facilities and developed and implemented communications strategies and plans for citing new manufacturing facilities and cleaning up active and abandoned waste sites. Before joining HDA in 1988, Steve served as Director of State Lands and Assistant to the Secretary in the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Because of his experience in state government, he is well versed in regulatory procedures and helps clients understand the communications implications of those procedures. He earned a BS in Statistics and Quantitative Methods and a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and has worked in governmental and public affairs for more than 30 years.
	Al Chamlee
	Al brings more than 30 years of experience to HDA in the field of public and governmental affairs. He has extensive experience helping clients identify and manage issues that impact a company's governmental and public relations with key audiences. Al has worked closely with the Alabama legislative process and is adept at meeting the challenges associated with the siting of new operations and expansions. Al holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. In addition to public affairs, his experience includes purchasing, marketing and sales.
	Steve Perry
	Steve focuses on community interaction and site-based communications strategies. He is well versed in the interaction of on-site plant operations and applies that to communications planning. Steve is also experienced in the management of associations and helping groups develop a collective voice in their communities. He serves as the executive director of The Forum -- an industrial association in the greater Mobile area. He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from Spring Hill College in Mobile. Prior to joining HDA, Steve worked for a major international chemical company as its plant manager, and has been heavily involved in various trade associations throughout his career.
	Dale Irvin
	During Dale Irvin's 30 year marketing career he's worked as both an advertising agency creative director and in-house marketing director. His clients have included firms that span the gamut from broadcast media, to banking, to healthcare, to industrial. Dale's expertise ranges from strategic marketing planning, to creative concept, to media placement strategy in a wide variety of media.
	Skip Ragland
	Skip's national and international communications experience spans over 30 years working in industries such as utilities, television and radio, magazine, printing, book publishing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals. He has conducted hundreds of communications programs for companies such as Novartis, Ciba-Geigy, Syngenta, Aventis, Montel, and Meredith Corporations as well as the companies' customers, trade associations, warehouse and transport companies. He specializes in crisis communications management and media training and has extensive experience in merger and acquisitions communications management as well as in financial communications and investor relations. He is the recipient of two Silver Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Founders Award from the Ag Relations Council, Gold Medal from the New York Film and TV Festival, numerous Best of Category awards and Best of Show from the National Agricultural Marketing Association and meritorious awards from both the American Agricultural Editors Association and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. One of his programs made communications history as being the first time four countries had been linked for a live, inter-active television broadcast. He has held local positions as president of both the International Association of Business Communicators and PRSA and was elected to the College of Fellows of PRSA in 1993. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University. He retired recently from Novartis Corporation where he was Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications.
	Renee Smith-Tadie , APR
	Renee recently retired as head of Public Affairs for Syngenta Crop Protection's (formerly Novartis and Ciba-Geigy) site in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. Throughout her 21 years at Syngenta, she was responsible for all public affairs programs supporting the company's largest US plant. Renee oversaw community, media, and government relations, crisis communications, issues management, and employee communications and was the plant spokesperson on all public issues. Renee is a past-president and current board member of LSU's Manship School of Mass Communications' Alumni Board and is a Fellow of the LSU Academy of Politics. Renee has served as president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (Baton Rouge Chapter). In recent years, she has been very active in education reform efforts, especially in the area of School-To-Work. She was named an "Honorary Teacher" by the Louisiana Resource Center for Educators for her work in education, and has been recognized for her "exceptional service and assistance" to the Iberville Parish School System. She has served as a member of the Louisiana Chemical Association's Public Affairs and Government Affairs committees, the Iberville Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, and the Iberville Chemical Council. She represented Ciba on President Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development's Environmental Justice Task Force.
	Renée D. Verma , APR
	Renée specializes in strategic communications planning, the development and implementation of comprehensive public relations image campaigns, marketing and branding projects, as well as community and media relations. She is well-versed in video and print production, Web site development, copy writing, special events planning and public opinion research. During her 18-year career with HDA, Renée earned professional recognition for her extensive campaign work and earned her accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Louisiana State University and continued her education at Loyola University's School of Mass Communication in New Orleans.
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© 2010 Harris, DeVille & Associates, Inc.