Kevin Sajdak
Manager
The diversity of our experiences has taught us a lot. We try to keep it simple. We are straightforward communicators, creative storytellers, providing honest counsel.
Guy Chipparoni
President + CEO
Julia Sznewajs
Managing Partner
Bernardo Gómez
Creative Director +
Vice President
Kelly Klopp
Vice President + Director
Courtney Greve Hack
Vice President + Director
Mary Ann Childers
Senior Consultant
Luis Quinonez
Vice President +
Sacramento Director
Kevin Owens
Vice President + Director
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Guy Chipparoni
President + CEO
Chip is a strategist who understands the intersection of politics and communications and delivers creative approaches to clients’ most challenging issues.
A media relations and crisis management expert, Chip is recognized as an industry leader who offers astute counsel to C-suite and executive leaders on complex corporate concerns. Whether managing labor, tax, development or transitional issues, Chip is quick to assess the scenarios and strategize on a path forward. Protecting reputations and building relationships are always his priority.
Chip founded Res Publica Group in 2002 following leadership roles at both KemperLesnik Communications in Chicago and the national public affairs team at Hill & Knowlton. He served as a senior advisor to Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and began his career navigating hospitality and tourism industry issues for the prominent private owners of Hyatt Hotel Corporation. He serves on the Chicago Advisory Board of U.S. Bank.
Julia Sznewajs
Managing Partner
Julia provides senior-level strategic counsel across industries including healthcare, energy, environment, transportation and education.
As the lead for corporate strategy initiatives, Julia helps shape brand narratives and protect client reputations. Julia understands how to advance community and issue-based campaigns, building full-service strategies for both public and private sector clients. She has also orchestrated communications and integration strategies around corporate mergers and brand acquisitions.
Prior to joining Res Publica Group, Julia was a practicing lobbyist with Alcalde & Fay in Washington, D.C. and served as Director of Advocacy & Communication for the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation, in addition to agency-based public affairs work. Julia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Marquette University. She lends her time and resources to supporting hospital-based arts education programs for children through Snow City Arts Foundation.
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Bernardo Gómez
Vice President + Creative Director
Prior to joining our team, Bernie formed the Corazón Agency, where he delivered strategy, creative development and integration of global brands to the U.S. Hispanic market. Prior to forming the Corazón Agency, Bernie spent a decade as Group Creative Director at Havas Worldwide. While there, he launched Havas Latino, the multicultural division of the global agency. His clients included Dish, Dos Equis, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Craftsman, Hefty, Autozone, Cracker Barrel and Coke among other brands. Before forming Havas Latino, Bernie also led new business initiatives for many of Havas’ clients such as Dish Latino and Bel Brands. He worked across many categories, brands and media in both General and Hispanic Markets.
From 1998 to 2008, Bernie served as Art Director, Assistant Creative Director and Creative Director of Brann Worldwide/Euro RSCG Worldwide. While there he led creative for brands such as Sprint and Citibank. Earlier in his career, Bernie also worked in magazine design and branding for American Airlines, Bank of America and E-Trade. His work has been recognized with multiple advertising awards.
He is a native of Chicago’s Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods, and is a Graduate of the University of Illinois with a BFA in Graphic Design. He received an Integrated Marketing Certificate from Northwestern University, and he participated in the Havas Next Gen Leadership Program in New York, Paris and Kuala Lampur.
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Kelly Klopp
Vice President + Director
We are excited to welcome Kelly Klopp back to Res Publica Group. Kelly is a seasoned communicator with vast experience in public policy, with an emphasis on health care and regulatory initiatives.
She began her career in the office of the Illinois governor, and most recently served for four years as a senior policy and media advisor to agency leadership at the state’s public utility commission during a time of great change for the energy industry. There, Kelly served as a senior policy and media advisor to agency leadership on initiatives related to grid and natural gas modernization, oversight of retail electric suppliers and utility supplier diversity issues. Kelly’s media experience includes heading media relations for two Chicago health systems and serving as communications director for a successful Congressional campaign.
Kelly holds a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Illinois Chicago and has taught political science at the community college level. Kelly lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and three children.
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Courtney Greve Hack
Vice President + Director
Courtney knows how to shape a story to secure the right kind of publicity. She excels under deadline, in a crisis and when crafting strategy where public policy and communications overlap.
With writing at the core of her expertise, Courtney believes all content deserves a keen eye, whether it’s an entire new website, an internal announcement, a succinct media statement or a campaign video script. She has a strong track record of delivering media placements that drive brand awareness and protect client reputations.
Courtney was as an award-winning reporter for the Daily Southtown, served as communications director to Cook County Clerk David Orr and most recently oversaw media relations and internal communications for Loyola Medicine. She received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
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Mary Ann Childers
Senior Consultant
Mary Ann is one of the most recognized and respected voices in Chicago broadcasting. As a national Emmy-award winning anchor and reporter at ABC & CBS-owned stations, she was the first woman to anchor a top-rated 10 p.m. newscast, and reported virtually every major regional news story for more than 25 years. Mary Ann has a deep understanding of broadcast media, messaging, and how people respond to news and information. She provides Res Publica Group’s clients with media training, and helps them develop and polish their presentation and on-camera skills. Mary Ann also brings production expertise for video creation that enhances reputations, persuades an audience and protects brands. She is a frequent presenter on the art of media and presentation styles and strategies, and donates her time and energy to numerous charitable and civic organizations throughout Chicago.
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Luis Quinonez
Vice President + Sacramento Director
Delivering targeted outcomes, Luis is one of Sacramento’s foremost public affairs experts with a strong history of success. Luis creates and executes strategies to build the essential political capital and identify aspects that capture the public’s attention and support. Combining relationship-building, narrative creation and concise advocacy, Luis has produced powerful and positive results in high profile debates for California and the nation. Some of these debates include: climate change, economic development, healthcare, income inequality and insurance requirements for transportation network companies.
Prior to joining Res Publica, Luis led U.S. State Government Affairs for eBay. Luis has also served as Chief of Staff in the California Legislature, most recently for California Assemblywoman Autumn Burke (Los Angeles, CA).
Luis earned his Bachelor’s in Politics and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. He serves on the board of the Chicano-Latino Youth Leadership Project and lives in the Sacramento area with his family.
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Kevin Owens
Vice President + Director
Kevin excels at developing effective communications strategies built off deep experience navigating political campaigns and the inner workings of Illinois public policy. Whether a public agency or a private sector corporation, his clients benefit from his public affairs know-how and coalition-building skills. He works closely with clients to manage complex issues, navigate crisis and enhance brand positioning.
His career began with the Illinois House of Representatives, where he served as a regional coordinator for the Democratic Caucus, building and advancing legislative agendas for a diverse group of legislators. After that, he served as campaign manager for the Illinois Democratic Party, overseeing races throughout the state where he was responsible for message development, crisis management, grassroots organization and media relations.
Kevin graduated from Wittenberg University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and two daughters, and lends his time supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and local initiatives in his community.
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Mary Ann Childers
Senior Consultant
Mary Ann is one of the most recognized and respected voices in Chicago broadcasting. As an Emmy-award winning anchor and reporter at ABC & CBS-owned stations, she reported virtually every major regional news story for more than 20 years. Mary Ann has a deep understanding of broadcast media, messaging and how people respond to news and information. She provides Res Publica Group’s clients with media training and helps them develop and polish their presentation skills. Mary Ann also brings production expertise for video creation that helps protect our client’s brands and enhance their reputations.
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Caroline Boissoneault
Associate
Madison Olinger
Associate
Jen Scully
Manager
Julia Brun
Manager
Rob Unizycki
Creative Manager
Zach Schmidt
Creative Manager
Donna Hamilton
Chief Financial Officer
Our Partners
PETER
KELLISON
FRED
MAIN
J. KEVIN
PEDROTTI
PETER KELLISON
Clear Advocacy
Peter has been an active influencer on California’s most substantial health care, workers’ compensation, pharmacy and prescription drug issues in the state’s modern history.
His clients include Fortune 100 companies, numerous trade associations, non-profits and small businesses. His expertise comes from an early career in government and politics serving as staff in both Washington, D.C. and at the California State Senate. There, his efficiency and effectiveness led to a quick run up the ladder ultimately overseeing Capitol operations for a State Senate Leader.
Prior to forming Clear Advocacy, he created The Kellison Company to further his legislative and regulatory advocacy work. The Kellison Company remains a well-established lobbying firm.
Peter has been cited as “One of the Most Influential Individuals in Health Policy and Politics in California” by Capitol Weekly and was inducted into the California Pharmacy Hall of Fame as the only non-pharmacist inductee.
Always willing to take the idea of special interests to a new level, he fronts a popular local band called “Special Interest.” Also, an avid angler, you can find Peter during his down time relaxing by offshore fishing from his kayak.
Peter is a graduate of California State University, Chico, where he majored in International Relations and carried a minor in Russian History. He lives with his wife, Heidy, and son Chase, in Davis, California.
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FRED MAIN
Clear Advocacy
Fred has a deep understanding of state tax and fiscal issues and has been closely involved in shaping California’s technology industry policies. His expertise is evident through successes in influencing public policy and directing legislative and regulatory advocacy.
Fred’s tenure includes playing an influential role in major tax legislation including the unitary tax, tax conformity, and protection of the research and development tax credit. He has also led several statewide ballot campaigns on energy, taxation and political reform.
Prior to starting Clear Advocacy, Fred was of counsel to a national law firm and served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the California Chamber of Commerce. There, he oversaw the Chamber’s public policy program, including advocacy before the Legislature, regulatory boards and the courts. Initiatives included tax policy, privacy and litigation reform.
Fred has served on the boards of several organizations including the California State Museum for Women, History, and the Arts, Volunteers of California, California International Marathon and Civil Justice Association of California. He has also received an “Award of Merit,” from the Legal Aid Association of California for his work establishing California’s first right to counsel in civil cases.
Fred received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University Fullerton and his law degree from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. He lives in Davis, California with his wife Anne.
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J. KEVIN PEDROTTI
Clear Advocacy
Kevin is known for political insights, masterly assisting a diverse client base on health care, insurance and business industry issues. His hands-on approach marries personal relationships with policy insights.
Kevin’s career in politics and government affairs began as policy staff in the California State Assembly. He has lent his expertise as a senior lobbyist for a national law form and as a named partner for a Sacramento-based lobbying firm. His legislative successes are many within the California timber industry and California hospital industry. JKPedrotti, Inc., represents a diverse base of clients, from Fortune 20 health care companies to trade associations and small businesses and remains a successful lobbying firm.
A graduate of California State University at Chico with a degree in Public Administration, Mr. Pedrotti is an accomplished runner and Ironman triathlete. His personal best national caliber 2:33 marathon time caused a Sacramento newspaper to anoint him “Sacramento’s Fastest Lobbyist.”
His interest in fitness extends to pro-bono counsel in establishing California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness. Kevin continues to provide fitness advice and encouragement to friends in the Capital. He lives with wife, Janet in Fair Oaks, California.
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