Cornerstone Government Affairs, specialist in government relations and lobbying, has expanded client services to include public affairs and strategic communications through the launch of Cornerstone Public Affairs.

Cornerstone Government Affairs

Veterans Matt Paul and Jimmy Centers have been brought on to lead the initial effort from Cornerstone’s office in Des Moines, Iowa.

Paul most recently served as chief of staff to Democratic VP candidate Tim Kaine of Virginia. He also was state director for Hillary Clinton’s winning Iowa caucus campaign.

Matt Paul & Jimmy CentersMatt Paul (L) & Jimmy Centers

Centers also has ties to Iowa, serving as press secretary and communications director for Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds. He founded Message Delivered, a communications and public affairs shop based in Des Moines.

“In recent years, both in the states where the firm has a presence and in Washington, D.C., we've noticed that adding full-scale public relations services would add value for our clients,” Campbell Kaufman, Cornerstone principal and director of state government relations, told O’Dwyer’s. “Individuals today have access to more information than ever before, making cutting through the clutter and reaching an audience at the right time, in the right place and on the right platform more challenging.”

Founded in 2002, Cornerstone handles issues related to agriculture, cyber security, defense, education, energy, health, homeland security, international affairs, tax policy, telecommunications, and transportation and infrastructure.

The firm has a staff of more than 60 at offices in Washington, D.C.; Annapolis, MD; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Baton Rouge, LA; Chicago, IL; Des Moines, IA; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Richmond, VA; and Springfield, IL.