Long-time Oregon Political Strategist to Lead Regional Consulting Firm
Gallatin Press Release
June 27, 2010
Gallatin Public Affairs announced that Dan Lavey, a leading communications and political strategist in Oregon and long-time advisor to former U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, will serve as president of the firm. The change became effective July 1. Lavey has been a Gallatin shareholder and partner since 2001, and has led the firm’s Portland office where the firm has established a strong reputation and experienced consistent growth in revenue and market share.
Gallatin Public Affairs is a regional, bipartisan public affairs firm with offices in Boise, Spokane, Seattle, Portland and Helena. The firm is celebrating twenty years in business this year.
Marc Johnson will remain as managing partner of the firms’ Boise office after serving as Gallatin President the past five years. Johnson is an authority on Idaho public policy and Northwest history. He served as both press secretary and chief of staff to Idaho’s only four term governor Cecil D. Andrus. Johnson’s insights and analysis on public policy, the media and political history are regularly featured in regional on-line and print publications.
“Dan Lavey is the right person at the right time to lead and grow our firm,” said Johnson. “He is the best strategist in our firm and has always been able to identify and nurture great talent. Dan is a born leader who has been a strong right arm for me during my time leading the firm and now I have the pleasure of playing the same role for him.”
Under Lavey’s leadership in Oregon, Gallatin played a key role in helping bring Major League Soccer to Portland, securing funds for the South Waterfront expansion of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), securing federal government support to deepen the Columbia River Channel and protecting the Columbia River Gorge from off reservation casino development, among other successes.
Recognized as one of Oregon’s leading public affairs and political strategists, Lavey has provided strategic counsel to businesses, elected officials and political candidates for the past 15 years. From 1992 through 2008, he served as a top advisor to U.S. Senator Gordon Smith.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead such a great team of talented professionals across four Northwest states. Our regional depth and our bipartisan reach makes Gallatin unique, my goal is to help us grow and succeed for another 20 years,” said Lavey.
A native Oregonian, Dan earned a bachelor’s degree in history from University Of Oregon. He currently serves on the board of directors for Pioneer Courthouse Square, the University of Oregon Alumni Association and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland. He is a member of Arlington Club and the Multnomah Athletic Club. In 2003, Dan was recognized by the Portland Business Journal as one of the “40 under 40” business and community leaders in Portland. Dan and his wife, Lori, live with their son Max, and daughter Piper, in the Raleigh Hills neighborhood of Washington County.
