Fassbender Joins Keystone Public Affairs as Senior Director of Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2012

CONTACT:  Brian Sowa
Keystone Public Affairs, LLC
202-507-5700
brian@kpa-llc.com

Fassbender Joins Keystone Public Affairs as Senior Director of Communications

Washington, DC – Keystone Public Affairs (KPA), a government relations and strategic communications firm founded last year, has announced that Elizabeth Fassbender will join the KPA team as Senior Director of Communications. With her political experience and strong background in social media and online communications, Fassbender will strengthen the firm’s expanding public affairs practice while supporting KPA’s clients in the energy, transportation and defense industries.

“As policymakers debate issues from the Keystone XL pipeline and hydraulic fracturing to transportation funding and technology deployment, businesses and trade associations must be able to deliver a strong and effective message if they want to influence legislative and regulatory decisions in today’s rapidly changing media environment,” said KPA Founder and CEO Brian Sowa. “Elizabeth brings a fresh perspective, a strong background in new media and government relations, and the ability to help clients tell their story more effectively to achieve their policy and business goals.”

In addition to general communications and outreach, Fassbender will provide messaging strategy, social media expertise, government relations support, and online advocacy campaign development.

Prior to joining KPA, Elizabeth served for three years at Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI) where she led the firm’s new media strategy and supported clients in the defense, energy and transportation fields.  In addition to supporting SMI’s federal marketing, lobbying strategies and government outreach, Elizabeth managed the firm’s communications efforts and prepared issue and legislative briefings for clients.  Elizabeth has developed expertise in renewable energy issue areas, transportation and technology, as well as defense issues including combat casualty care and advanced composites.

Fassbender started her career in Washington working at the Podesta Group in their national security and defense appropriations practices.  She also worked for the Murtha for Congress Campaign in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and in the district offices of former Senators Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.

A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Fassbender graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a minor in History of Philosophy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.  The owner and editor of a DC area lifestyle blog, Elizabeth has been featured in publications including Northern Virginia Magazine, DC Life Magazine, the Washingtonian, and more. Elizabeth was nominated by the Washington Post as a top twitter personality and was named one of 10 bloggers to watch in 2012 by the Washingtonian.

Fassbender joins Sowa and Executive Vice President Paul Feenstra, both former Pennsylvania Congressional staffers who teamed to launch KPA.

ABOUT KEYSTONE PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Keystone Public Affairs (KPA) is a limited liability corporation based in Washington, D.C.  Founded in 2011, KPA provides strategic government affairs services to both public and private clients while representing their interests before Congress, federal agencies and other stakeholders.  They can be reached at 202-507-5700 and are currently welcoming new clients.