Southwest Strategies Broadens Experience to Meet Client Growth

New hires at the Southern California based firm to broaden offerings.
 
SAN DIEGO - Aug. 1, 2014 - PRLog -- In the wake of a successful year of growth so far, Southwest Strategies is proud to announce the addition of three new team members with a wide range of experience. As the region's leading public affairs firm, Southwest Strategies strives to meet the needs of its expanding clientele and develop innovative solutions to their unique business challenges. With those needs in mind, the firm welcomes Ben Boyce, Lacey Watson and Lidiya Kravchuk. Each new team member brings a diverse skill set to the firm, enriching the array of services Southwest Strategies can offer to its clients.

Ben Boyce will translate his successful career in land development outreach programs in both Northern and Southern California into his role as Manager of Public Affairs for the firm. His strategic outreach programs have helped water and wastewater providers effectively communicate with more than 6 million Southern California ratepayers. His efforts have also secured more than 15,000 home approvals across the state. He has been recognized with over 20 awards for his efforts, including top outreach program in the state and the nation's best website for a government utility. His efforts to support residents of a crumbling apartment complex were recognized as Orange County's 2008 crisis PR of the year.

"Ben has a comprehensive understanding of land and community development in California," said Chris Wahl, company president. "He has a proven record of making sure that his client's needs are met and that is exactly what Southwest Strategies is all about."

Ben is active in the San Diego and Orange County business communities and serves on the charter advisory council of Thrive Public Schools in Mission Valley. He was previously a founding director of Community Roots Academy charter school in Aliso Viejo and served two terms on the board of directors of the Orange County chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Lacey Watson brings a wide array of experience in media relations, marketing, community engagement and legal regulatory review in her new position as Manager of Public Affairs. She served as in-house corporate and regulatory counsel for private wind energy developer Cielo Wind Services, Inc. Prior to working as a corporate attorney, she served in an outreach capacity as the Industry Liaison for the Texas Wind Energy Institute, where she launched a targeted marketing campaign to forge critical relationships with industry leaders and government officials that gained nationwide recognition for the Institute.

"Lacey's background and education bring us the kind of legal knowledge we inherently need," said company president Chris Wahl. "In today's ever-changing market, we want to make sure that we have diverse staff with diverse talents, like Lacey, in order to best serve our wide range of clientele."

Watson also worked as a reporter and producer for FOX News 44 in Waco, Texas, covering major events throughout the area for the nightly newscast. In 2013, Watson served as a fundraising chairperson for the Cattle Baron's Ball in Austin, Texas benefitting the American Cancer Society. She is currently involved with fundraising for the Lung Force Walk, benefiting the American Lung Association.

Watson is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Watson attended law school at Texas Tech University School of Law where she graduated with an emphasis in energy law.

The newest Account Executive at Southwest Strategies is Lidiya Kravchuk, who brings experience in governmental affairs and public relations outreach to the firm. Kravchuk most recently served on the staff of County Supervisor Greg Cox. In her time at the County, she assisted with constituent correspondence, speech writing, board letter composition, grant processing, public outreach and social media management. This experience allowed her to gain invaluable knowledge about San Diego County and afforded her a unique insight into San Diego's growing business and community needs.

"Lidiya brings a combination of professional and personal experience that is very much needed at Southwest Strategies," said Chairman Alan Ziegaus. "We want to have people like Lidiya who are driven to learn, succeed and offer innovative solutions to maintain our presence in San Diego."

Lidiya is involved with Good Call Ministries; a California based non-profit which serves impoverished communities in Russia, Ukraine and surrounding Slavic communities. She volunteers for the Republican Party of San Diego, is actively involved with local community benefits and events, and writes for DiningOut San Diego Magazine.

Originally from Riga, Latvia, Kravchuk is fluent in Russian and recently graduated with honors from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Southwest Strategies is confident that the addition of these new team members, with their breadth of experience in diverse sectors, will help position the firm for another successful year of growth and opportunity.

About Southwest Strategies

Southwest Strategies offers a full range of communications and strategic services for a diverse client list. The firm's services include public affairs, community relations, crisis communications, public relations, media relations and government affairs. The company has been ranked by the San Diego Business Journal as one of San Diego's top three public relations firms. Alan Ziegaus and Chris Wahl formed Southwest Strategies in April 2000.

Media Contact
Lidiya Kravchuk
***@swspr.com
858.541.7800
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