Southwest Strategies Adds Two New Team Members

SAN DIEGO - Oct. 15, 2015 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO (October 15, 2015) – Southwest Strategies recently hired two new employees – Senior Account Executive Robert Iezza and Account Executive Dariel Walker – to support the firm's expanding client portfolio.

Robert Iezza is a seasoned public relations and strategic communications professional with extensive experience in marketing communications, public outreach, coalition building and campaign management. His expertise includes managing high-profile proactive and reactive campaigns and developing targeted communication strategies.

Before joining Southwest Strategies, Iezza worked as an Associate at Englander Knabe & Allen, a Los Angeles County strategic communications firm specializing in lobbying, public affairs and crisis communications. During his tenure at the firm, Iezza successfully managed and executed multiple high-profile communications campaigns, reaching nearly 200,000 Los Angeles County residents. His efforts helped secure a number of referendum victories, as well as several influential earned media appearances on behalf of his clients. Iezza worked on a variety of issues while at the firm, representing private interests in the hospitality, transportation, energy and gas and petroleum industries.

"Robert brings extensive public affairs experience to Southwest Strategies from one of the most preeminent strategic communications firms in Los Angeles County," said Southwest Strategies Chairman Alan Ziegaus. "His ability to manage campaigns and efficiently unite differing interests and stakeholders will be instrumental to serving our clients effectively."

Iezza holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and minor studies in Economics and History from the University of California, San Diego. He is currently a candidate for a Master's in Business Administration from the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine.

Dariel Walker, Southwest Strategies' newest Account Executive, brings her experience in public relations, government communications and transportation public outreach to the firm.

Most recently, Walker worked for SANDAG, where she coordinated a diverse range of communications for a variety of regional highway, transit and bike projects. Her work also included managing a marketing promotion for a regional bus service, conducting extensive research for San Diego's regional transportation plan and responding to media and public inquiries in the Public Information Office. Prior to her work with SANDAG, Walker interned at i.d.e.a., an integrated marketing agency, where she supported the team with media relations and event coordination for the firm's clients, with extensive work on the annual Seaport Village Busker Festival.

"Dariel's depth of knowledge and experience with transportation-related community outreach will be a strong asset to Southwest Strategies," said Chris Wahl, President of Southwest Strategies. "Her attention to detail and adaptability will help us continue to provide the excellent service our clients have come to expect."

Walker graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. While attending SDSU, she was an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Kappa Tau Alpha Journalism & Mass Media Honor Society, and volunteered with the Journalism Education Association.

About Southwest Strategies

San Diego-based Southwest Strategies offers a full range of communications and strategic services for a diverse client list throughout the state of California. 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. For more information, visit www.swspr.com.