Lonnie Hawkins- Principal
Lonnie Hawkins began working on campaigns in Southwest Louisiana throughout the in the mid and late 70′s; including State Senator Jessie Knowles bid for Lt. Governor. During this time period, Hawkins also worked in production at KPLC TV.
Upon arriving in Northwest Florida, Hawkins settled down in Santa Rosa County, Florida.
Hawkins political experience includes:
- Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce President 1999
- Santa Rosa County Republican Executive Committee 1998 – 2008, served as Treasurer as well as Precinct Committeeman.
- Republican Party of Florida Northwest Florida Field Director 2000 -2002.
- Congressman Jeff Miller Dec 2002 – Jan 2008, positions including field rep and district director; also worked for his campaigns throughout 2004 – 2008.
After serving in the Congressional office, Hawkins founded Sterling Communications, LLC in 2008. At Sterling Communications, Hawkins provided campaign management and materials, i.e. signs, bumper stickers, lapel stickers. In 2008, Hawkins and Sterling Communications managed four successful campaigns in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.
Currently he is a Principal in Political Matrix Governmental Relations firm.
Scott Miller - Principal
With a keen sense for out of the box graphic design since 1988, Scott Miller shows his balance between design and communication ensuring the design never overtakes the message.
Miller continuously explores the cutting edge of emerging technologies while bringing them to the marketplace. Miller also remains a principal in a number of technology and production companies that include graphic design and web application development as their core focus.
Adding the political arena to his corporate messaging portfolio during the 2000 election cycle, Miller has mastered the delicate process of breaking down the most complex political issues to the understanding level of every registered voter.
Currently he is a Principal in Political Matrix Governmental Relations firm.
Greg Fink - Principal
With over 15 years experience in campaign management, direct mail, printing, opposition research and public relations for over 80 political campaigns, Greg has been instrumental in the success of numerous national level, statewide and local political campaigns, as well as social and educational victories throughout the North West Florida region.
Putting his campaign experience to work, Greg won his own personal bid for office in 2006 garnishing 53,000 votes giving him the victory with 78% of the vote.
An accomplished researcher and published investigative reporter, political columnist and ghostwriter for several elected officials and organizations, Greg has been extensively published on a variety of political, cultural and economic issues.
Fink also has a background in message development and research analysis and data collection while working with the data collection and marketing research firm, The Listener Group®.
Fink also was the co-publisher of the Panhandle Politico and PanhandlePolitico.com which had a circulation of 20,000 households and a website viewing of at or about 8,000 visitors per day.
Recently, Greg was instrumental in completing the acquisition of The Listener Group®.
Currently, Fink is also the Chairman of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Taxpayers Political Action Committee while as well as currently is a Principal in Political Matrix Governmental Relations firm.
Troy Schoonover - Principal
Troy Schoonover’s involvement in politics and communications stretches back to the 2000 election cycle. He became a precinct committeeman that year for the Escambia County Republican Executive Committee. Troy has actively worked in every election cycle in Florida since 2000 and one in Virginia in 2001.
Schoonover began learning the art of communications between candidates and the public through his leadership with the University of West Florida College Republicans. Troy earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UWF. He majored in Finance and minored in Management and Political Science. He has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry with companies such as Washington Mutual, Citigroup, and Edward Jones.
Schoonover interned at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the fall of 2001. Troy took the RNC Campaign Managers & Marshals course and volunteered for that year’s gubernatorial race in Virginia. It was his sad experience to be in Washington, D.C., during the terrible terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent anthrax threats.
While at the RNC, he worked in a paid capacity in the press office of the Republican Governor’s Association. He researched media outlets and created new contact management databases for the RGA. He also maintained close relationships with members of the D.C. press corps and communications directors of all Republican governors to coordinate press releases and news coverage.
Troy Schoonover continues to serve as President of the Pensacola Republican Club since his election in 2007 and as a committeeman for his local REC. In 2007, Schoonover also co-founded the The Panhandle Politico (monthly political publication with a circulation of 20,000 and a web viewing of at or about 8,000 visitors per day). Recognized as a leading voice for business and civic affairs in his community, he was elected to serve as president of the Gulf Coast Economics Club for 2011.
Currently, Troy is a co-owner and principal for The Political Matrix, a division of Open Market Research, Inc. His work involves governmental relations and consulting businesses and campaigns in the areas of messaging, advertising copy, social media outreach.
Troy Schoonover | Ask me about the power of Social Media!
Tammy Parada- Senior Consultant Mid Atlantic Region
Entering the political communications and fundraising arena in 2005, Tammy Parada became Political Action Committee (PAC) Associate Director for the Virginia Medical Political Action Committee (VAMPAC). Under her direction, VAMPAC garnered record contributions, exceeding $365,000 annually. As government affairs coordinator for the state medical society, Parada
also offered contributing coordination in board and committee management, grassroots and advocacy efforts, legislative event planning, constituent communications, and health care policy campaigns.
Parada excels in strategic development and political efficacy when it comes to her design and implementation of political campaigns. She recently managed VA’s seventh district independent congressional campaign garnering more votes than any other independent candidate in the state and forcing the incumbent to spend more money per vote than during previous elections, ending the race with the lowest vote count yet. Parada works closely with local, state and congressional candidates in Mid Atlantic states providing a vast array of campaign services.
Parada currently serves as Chief Bill Tracker for Virginia’s 10th Amendment Coalition. Simultaneously, Parada serves on the Legislative Committee for a statewide constituent advocacy organization. Parada is the Capitol Region Director for Virginia Conservative Party’s Board of Directors.
Michael T Kinser - Senior Consultant
An entrepreneur for the past 20 years, Michael Kinser brings with him a wealth of experience in audio and visual production as well as overall message development.
Founding RT Productions in 1988, Kinser went on to be very well versed in musical writing, production and promotions. Kinser then founded Gulf Islands Entertainment in 1996 promoting and organizing large shows and festivals across the Gulf Coast.
In 2006 Kinser added politics to his already thick entertainment and corporate portfolio. Upon arriving in the political landscape, Kinser has helped to shape the message and concepts for several winning local, state and federal campaigns.
In 2008 Kinser joined Greg Fink and Troy Schoonover in publishing the regional periodical the Panhandle Politico as well as currently serving on the board of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Taxpayers. Currently he is a Principal in Political Matrix Governmental Relations firm.
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