Quorum Public Affairs Celebrates 30th Anniversary
AUSTIN— This week, Quorum Public Affairs, Inc. (QPA) Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Craig Casselberry, announced the celebration of the company’s 30th Anniversary.
The company was founded in Houston in 1994 when Casselberry left the staff of then-state Agriculture Commissioner, former Governor and U.S. Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry. Casselberry previously served on the campaign staff and then as a policy aide to Governor Bill Clements, on the Texas Inaugural Committee, and with the Texas Legislative Council.
Casselberry has been involved in 18 state legislative sessions, starting in 1985 as a student at the University of Texas-Austin.
“I had no idea we’d be around 30 years later; I guess no entrepreneur really does. But I feel very fortunate and thankful to all of those who helped us get to where we are today,” said Casselberry.
The company is perhaps best known for introducing grassroots advocacy to influence public policy and regulatory matters in Texas. QPA re-located to Austin in the year 2000 and began offering a full suite of services to Corporate America in the public and government affairs space. In its history, the company has hired more than 100 professional consultants throughout the state and country.
“In 1994, the idea of engaging the public on legislative matters was trending in Washington, D.C. but not at the state level,” Casselberry said. “We bet that the trend would migrate to the state level – particularly big states like Texas—and it did. Of course, our business has cycled like any other but we stayed afloat and kept going. I’m proud of that.”
QPA’s client history includes Fortune 50 companies including Exxon Mobil, Wal-Mart, Pfizer, Dell Technologies, USAA and State Farm; early and mid-stage firms looking to grow; and major coalitions like Texans for Lawsuit Reform; the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions; Texans for Economic Progress; and the Texas Coalition for Capital.
In 2011, QPA was sold to the largest public relations firm in the world at the time. Casselberry re-launched QPA one year later.
Casselberry has been actively involved as a consultant, financial contributor, or volunteer in six presidential elections (including the statewide leadership team for two of those campaigns); nine gubernatorial campaigns; and numerous other state and local races.
Drawing on his 35 years of public and private sector experience, Casselberry authored “Straight Up: The Business of Winning Politics, Communication Strategies for Innovative Companies.” The book provides a roadmap for companies to effectively advocate for a public policy, a corporate brand, or a product, and the strategic relationships to achieve optimum results.
WHAT OTHERS SAY:
“Over the last decade, I have valued Quorum Public Affairs for their focused, integrated approach, their knowledge of the issues and the Influencers, and their ability to achieve measurable results.”
- Chris Swonger, President and CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of America
“Our partnership with Quorum Public Affairs has been a great one for my company and our clients. Together, we combine my firm’s national technology network with Quorum’s state-level relationships. And we have a shared goal: helping our clients grow their business.”
- Karen Robinson, CEO, KWR Strategies
“In Quorum Public Affairs, Cypress Equities found a partner that combines strategic counsel with results-oriented action. The Quorum team is skilled, well-connected, and professional. Their issue-related focus and long-term vision advanced our business interests.”
- Chris Maguire, Chief Executive Officer, Cypress Equities, Inc.
“I’ve known Craig for 30 years and can you tell that in Austin, Quorum Public Affairs is known as a ‘go to’ firm if you want solid relationships and positive visibility at the Texas State Capitol and throughout the state. He’ll get you measurable results and his company’s network is second to none.”
- Tom Kowalski, President and CEO (ret.), Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute
“With great leadership from Quorum Public Affairs, APU now has solid relationships and positive visibility in Texas. Our commitment to Texas, both in terms of economic impact and subject matter expertise, is now much more widely acknowledged with state officials and industry stakeholders.”
- Jim Del Vecchio, Founder and CEO, Asset Protection Unit