Jason K.

Experience Summary

JASON KATZ 21005 Rios Street Woodland Hills, CA 91364 (818) 712-9338 or jason@toolshedgroup.com Dynamic, highly qualified professional with results-oriented track record of directing public affairs, business development, media relations and legislative advocacy for clients PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE THE TOOL SHED GROUP, Los Angeles CA 2006-Present FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL The Tool Shed Group is a full service public affairs, business development and public relations firm specializing in governmental, corporate and NGO clients. The firm provides senior officials of foreign ministries and business executives advice, strategy and direction on business development and relationship building with U.S. corporations; political outreach to the local, regional, state and federal levels of U.S. government; outreach and relationship building with ethnic and religious communities in the U.S.; strategic communications; cultural exchanges and the media throughout the U.S. • Republic of Azerbaijan 2006-Present Responsible for overall nation-wide strategic communications efforts, including positioning, crisis management and marketing of issues, political, cultural and issue-based initiatives, individual diplomats and officials, events and the nation as a whole; regular placement of earned media pieces and op-eds, events, business and political forums. Advise multiple government ministries on political, policy and business development and investment issues on local, regional, statewide and Federal levels. Develop and organize political, cultural and issue-related delegation to and from the U.S. and Azerbaijan. • Islamic Republic of Pakistan 2005-Present Advise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on political, policy and business development issues. Market and provide strategic communications counsel regarding official visits, delegations and bi lateral relations with the U.S. • United Arab Emirates-Dubai 2005-Present Responsible for and participate in the Dubai/Los Angeles County partnership, a public/private entity devoted to better bilateral relations and business partnerships. In addition, work with UAE corporations on business to business development and investment. • State of Israel 1998-Present Spanning the tenures of 6 Consuls General, provide pro bono political and policy advise vis a vis U.S./Israel relations, U.S. media and the U.S.’s diverse ethnic and religious communities. • Pacific Council of International Policy 2009-Present Provide strategic communications services, including writing, editing and placement of opinion pieces in U.S. news organizations. Provide counsel to and active participation in organizing high-level speakers for policy events and forums. • Bob Lawrence and Associates 2009-Present Provide strategic communications services, including writing, editing and placement of opinion pieces in U.S. news organizations. • The Cork 2011 Provide political and crisis management counsel regarding governmental and regulatory bodies, as well as the Los Angeles Police Department. • South Five Strategies 2007-Present As well as serving as a strategic partner of projects and clients, including the Republic of Georgia, provide strategic communications services, including writing, editing and placement of opinion pieces in U.S. news organizations. TOWN HALL LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles, CA 2006-2008 VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS Town Hall is an impartial, non-partisan business centered organization devoted to examining important issues confronting a democratic society. Town Hall develops and drives public policy through objective discussion, debate, research findings and recommendations for business and government leaders and decision makers. • Responsible for the creation and direction of a comprehensive business development program with emphasis on the banking, land development, real estate, entertainment and financial services sectors of business • Established close working and collaborative relationships between Town Hall and corporate, community, academic and government leaders and decision makers • Identified public policy and business issues and directed programming staff in the development of panels, symposia and conferences on subjects, including emergency preparedness, education, immigration, finance, among many others • In conjunction with high level corporate and government leaders, directed organization’s think tank by interpreting and gleaning findings of panels and conferences in order to publish and share conclusions • Utilized personal relationships to secure access to corporate leaders, speakers and participants for programs and panels, including SEC Chairman Chris Cox; LAPD Chief Bill Bratton; LA County Sheriff Lee Baca; FBI officials, foreign heads of state and diplomats, Senators Feinstein and Boxer; prominent authors, academics, elected officials, among many others • Recruited and cultivated high-level, influential and politically active individuals to serve on Board of Directors-limited to corporate CEOs and to heads, general managers and regional presidents of major corporations with offices in Los Angeles • Served as liaison between the Board of Directors and the organization • Served as chief liaison between local, state and federal appointed and elected officials (and their staffs) and the organization • Planned and implemented inaugural annual gala event that raised more than $900,000 JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles, CA 2006 DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles is the convening organization for the entire Jewish community for public policy, politics, community and international affairs and fund raising. It is the second largest non-profit organization in the Metro LA region. Government Relations • Identified issues and developed wide ranging public policy agenda on subjects including education, immigration, Israel, public safety and other social action issues on behalf of the Jewish Federation and the Jewish community in general • Developed and implemented the Jewish Federation’s legislative agenda with regard to State and local dollars and federal earmarks to secure adequate funding for a vast network of social service agencies • Served as chief liaison between local, state and federal appointed and elected officials (and their staffs) and the organization • Served as liaison to intelligence and law enforcement organizations on issues of public safety, security and counter-terrorism • Responsible for building and maintaining strong coalitional relationships with members of diverse communities in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin, including Jews, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders and Armenians International & Diplomatic Relations • Developed close and mutually beneficial relationships with local and national representatives of foreign governments (such as Israel, United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, Dubai and Azerbaijan) • Strategized with leaders of foreign nations regarding stimulation of American business interests and relationships in their respective countries • Developed strategies on how to reach out and communicate with expatriate communities, American government, business and community leaders and diverse ethnic communities Program and Leadership Development • Recruited and cultivated high-level, influential and politically active individuals for Board of Directors service • Formulated ideas for programs and events to educate lay leadership and the community, including political debates, panel discussions and forums on political and social issues THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE (AJC), Los Angeles, CA 1998-2006 DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC RELATIONS AJC is the oldest human relations organization in the nation and is one of the leading U.S. authorities in public policy development, legislative advocacy and urban, international and interreligious affairs. Government Relations • Developed and implemented AJC’s legislative agenda, including social action issues such as security, counter-terrorism, public safety, immigration, church-state, public education and various other local, state national and international issues • Served as lead staff liaison to intelligence and law enforcement organizations on issues of public safety, security and counter-terrorism • Served as a key liaison between local, state and federal appointed and elected officials (and their staffs) and the organization • Conducted the search for a Sacramento-based lobbyist and supervised and monitored lobbyist’s activities • Instrumental in building and maintaining strong coalitional relationships with members of diverse communities in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin, including Jews, Armenians, Latinos, African Americans and Asian Pacific Islanders International & Diplomatic Relations • Developed close and mutually beneficial relationships with local and national representatives of foreign governments (such as Israel and Pakistan) • Strategized with leaders of foreign nations regarding stimulation of American business interests in their respective countries • Developed strategies on how to reach out and communicate with expatriate communities, American government, business and community leaders and diverse ethnic communities Public Relations and Strategic Communications • Developed and executed strategies for the overall direction and image of the organization through institutional public relations methods • Responsible for profile and positioning of agency director • Responsible for crisis management, including developing public responses for potential criticism (such as in response to a political position) and in the event of community or institutional crisis • Communicated with, market to and educate the greater Los Angeles community regarding AJC’s advocacy efforts and social action work in the areas of intergroup relations, interreligious affairs, international relations and legislative advocacy • Served as primary liaison with the media through the development and stewardship of relationships with editors, reporters and editorial boards in print, electronic and ethnic media • Developed and wrote integrated strategic plans to further the organization’s efforts in key areas, such as intergroup relations and international affairs • Developed, designed and laid out organization’s collateral materials, including direct mail, brochures, newsletters, program announcements and press packets Program and Leadership Development • Recruited, cultivated and liaised with members of the organization’s Executive and Advisory Boards, which are comprised of top leaders in Los Angeles’s Jewish community • Formulated ideas for programs and events to educate lay leadership, AJC’s membership and the community, including political debates, panel discussions and forums on social issues CURRENT BOARDS & AFFILIATIONS • Pacific Council on International Policy, Member • Valley Interfaith Council Foundation, Board member • American Marshall Memorial Fellowship, Nominee • Los Angeles County – Dubai Partnership, Appointee • Los Angeles & Orange County Homeland Security Advisory Commission, Appointee • Valley Leadership Institute, President of the Board & Fellow-2001 • Encino/Tarzana Regional Medical Center Foundation, Board Member • Days of Dialogue, Board Member • Advisory Commission to City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo & Councilman Jack Weiss, Member • California Secretary of State Committee on Voter Registration & Outreach, Appointee • Cultural Diversity Congressional Council of U.S. Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald • Civic Forum, Los Angeles, Board Member • Sister to Sister, Nation Women’s Heart Health Fair, Event Committee Member • County of Los Angeles Registrar Recorder Community Voter Outreach Committee • MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity), Advisory Board Member • National Society of Fund Raising Executives • Public Relations Society of America • Public Interest Radio and Television Educational Society EDUCATION • University of Phoenix, Course work in Business Science SELECTED WRITINGS & PUBLISHING http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-katz/azerbaijan-and-israel-not_b_509229.html http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=30224 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-katz/a-game-played-smarter_b_422401.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-katz/stability-in-the-south-ca_b_591260.html http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-190747-109-centerin-americas-best-interestbr-i-by-i-brjason-katzcenter.html http://ada.edu.az/biweekly/issues/vol3no7/20100419044417982.html http://www.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/news/jt/national_news/jewish-muslim_harmony_broader_than_you_think/ http://m.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/oct/30/katz-coveted-natural-gas-monopoly/ http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=30224

Teaching Style

Informal and interactive

All Subjects I Tutor

• Communications

• Public Relations

• Speaking