May 1, 2012, Albany — PC Public Affairs continues growth, expanding list of services and adding bipartisan expertise for its clients by adding communications strategist Cort Ruddy, a Former Hillary Clinton Speechwriter and Chief of Staff to Senator David Valesky to its team of public affairs professionals.
Following several successful advocacy efforts for clients, Albany-based government relations and communications firm, PC Public Affairs, continues its exponential growth with the addition of seasoned political veteran and democratic strategist Cort Ruddy.
Joining PC Public Affairs as a partner, Ruddy brings to the growing firm statewide media abilities and a breadth of experience in politics and government at the state and national level. Beginning his career as journalist in Washington, Ruddy became the speechwriter for then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2003, serving in that role until the end of 2004. He then returned to his native Upstate New York to become chief of staff for State Senator Dave Valesky. In that time he also served as the communications director and campaign manager for the successful campaigns of Senator Darrel Aubertine, now the Agriculture Commissioner. Most recently, Ruddy was the Upstate Director for a NYC-based political strategy firm.
“We are excited to add such a dynamic and experienced professional to our team, reinforcing our credentials as one of the best, young public affairs firms in New York,” said PC Public Affairs Managing Partner Andre Claridge. “Cort brings his talent as a writer and his reputation as a top communications strategist, along with strong relationships in Albany and Washington.”
The recent growth is part of a trend at PC Public Affairs, which saw the addition of three other well-known Albany professionals in the past year.
Well-known radio personality and media veteran Jason Keller joined PC Public Affairs last summer, becoming the firm’s director of Media Relations. Last fall, long-time senate majority policy expert Kandi Terry joined PC Public Affairs to become the firm’s director of Government Relations. Kandi brings to PC Public Affairs vast experience in Criminal Justice, Transportation and State Budget issues, as well as networks in both houses of the legislature. And this January, Thomas O’Connor, the former Assistant CEO of the State Liquor Authority and an Assistant Commissioner for at the Department of Environmental Conservation, joined the firm bringing his intricate knowledge of executive branch agencies and the state legislature.
“PC Public Affairs is well positioned to serve an array of current and future clients in all areas of public affairs,” said Claridge. “We are excited to be growing and moving forward, offering strategic insight and advocacy for all our clients.”
Before Founding PC Public Affairs, Claridge, a former speechwriter and policy staffer for Governor George E. Pataki, served as a former VP at Fleishman Hillard Government Relations/Mercury Public Affairs, and was a Partner at Capitol Group, LLC. At PC Public Affairs, he has served as a lobbyist, communications strategist and business consultant for a host of clients in the transportation, defense, energy and public safety sectors.
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