Government Affairs

Launched in 2009, DKC Government Affairs develops and implements customized strategies for working with all levels of government. Our clients include Fortune 100 companies, real estate developers, not-for-profit organizations, health care providers, telecommunications companies and more – all benefitting from our decades of legislative and political experience. We have the know-how, connections, and political and media savvy to navigate the inner workings of government and deliver results for our clients.

State government affairs have never been as challenging as they are now – across the country, states are experiencing unprecedented challenges and pressures, and elected officials are reacting and acting in often unpredictable and unprecedented ways. DKC Government Affairs knows New York – our team has lived and breathed it, inside government, inside corporate board rooms, running political campaigns and working the halls of the Capitol one step at a time.

Now more than ever, companies and organizations need a steady and experienced hand to navigate advocacy efforts through the increasingly complicated New York landscape and ultimately, help them achieve their goals. DKC Government Affairs, the government relations arm of DKC Public Relations, does so by crafting individual, client-specific strategies and implementing them tactically and successfully.

DKC Government Affairs offers its clients the benefit of decades of institutional legislative and political knowledge about the often arcane inner workings of state government. We complement this knowledge with a keen sense of the intersection of public policy and media relations, and its implications for our clients. Whether the clients are large or small, public or private, we work diligently to help meet the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities presented by public policy, legislative or regulatory action in Albany.

Led by Allison Lee, who brings 25 years of highly respected, bipartisan New York State-based government relations successes to her position, the DKC Government Affairs executive team has over 100 years of combined experience in local, city, state and federal government affairs experience. John Marino is a former chairman of the New York State Democratic Party and remains engaged in political strategy at the state and federal level. Marie Ternes joined DKC in 2012 as Executive Vice President and Deputy Director of Government Affairs. Who served as counsel and high-level advisor to NYS Senate Majority Leader, Leader Joseph Bruno, brings more than a decade’s worth of experience working both in key positions within the New York State Legislature and as a pivotal government relations advocate in Albany. Matthew Traub, former chief of staff to Rep. Nita Lowey, puts his legislative skills and connections to work for corporate, nonprofit and media clients. Joe DePlasco, a veteran of New York politics, handles issue communications and public affairs for a wide range of national clients. Bill Cunningham, former communications director to New York Mayor Bloomberg and former chief of staff and senior advisor to the late Senator Patrick Moynihan, brings his expertise and connections to the table for clients with state and city issues.

DKC Government Affairs provides government relations strategy and political counsel to Fortune 500 companies, real estate developers, not-for-profit organizations, health care providers, and the telecommunications industry among others. Current Clients include Delta Air Lines, General Motors, Fidelity Investments and Madison Square Garden as well as many others.

As a leading national communications firm based in New York and specializing in public relations, marketing and crisis management, DKC represents a diverse roster of clients including Delta Air Lines, Yahoo!, Sony Pictures Television, Kraft Foods, Warner Home Video, New Balance Athletic Shoes, Esquire Magazine and the Children’s Health Fund. The DKC Government Affairs practice is a natural extension of its commitment to comprehensive client service.