First Look: Aronnax Public Strategies To Launch Tomorrow
A new government affairs firm, founded by two Democratic policy and political veterans, will launch Wednesday.
Fred Starzyk and Andy Garfinkel are the force behind Aronnax Public Strategies. The two have been in the government affairs business for years, and most recently worked alongside each other at Broydrick & Associates.
"What Andy and I discovered in our five years of working together, is that we complemented each other perfectly in terms of what our skill sets were," Starzyk says.
Both have years of experience on the Hill. Garfinkel, who was a lobbyist for 13 years and a congressional aide for seven, brings the policy expertise, and Starzyk, who has spent 20 years working as a lobbyist and as an aide to campaigns and legislators, brings the political know-how.
Garfinkel and Starzyk have backgrounds in economic development, energy, affordable housing, agriculture, health care and transportation. They said APS will launch with six clients, including Alexander Company and Urban Development Associates.
The pair say that they aim to build coalitions around issues that affect their clients.
"It's always better when you're talking to folks on the Hill that you're there representing more than just one very narrow interest," Starzyk says.
And rather than start their own state shops, the firm is partnering with existing, state firms for a "seamless integration" of government affairs services. Clients at state partner firms can use APS for federal issues, and APS clients can have a direct connect to state firms for local issues.
Fred Starzyk and Andy Garfinkel are the force behind Aronnax Public Strategies. The two have been in the government affairs business for years, and most recently worked alongside each other at Broydrick & Associates.
"What Andy and I discovered in our five years of working together, is that we complemented each other perfectly in terms of what our skill sets were," Starzyk says.
Both have years of experience on the Hill. Garfinkel, who was a lobbyist for 13 years and a congressional aide for seven, brings the policy expertise, and Starzyk, who has spent 20 years working as a lobbyist and as an aide to campaigns and legislators, brings the political know-how.
Starzyk worked for Rep. Sander Levin and a the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Garfinkel worked for Democratic Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Ted Strickland.
"Legwork is our currency," Starzyk says. "We're on the Hill every day,"
"Legwork is our currency," Starzyk says. "We're on the Hill every day,"
Garfinkel and Starzyk have backgrounds in economic development, energy, affordable housing, agriculture, health care and transportation. They said APS will launch with six clients, including Alexander Company and Urban Development Associates.
The pair say that they aim to build coalitions around issues that affect their clients.
"It's always better when you're talking to folks on the Hill that you're there representing more than just one very narrow interest," Starzyk says.
And rather than start their own state shops, the firm is partnering with existing, state firms for a "seamless integration" of government affairs services. Clients at state partner firms can use APS for federal issues, and APS clients can have a direct connect to state firms for local issues.
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