2024 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

For more than 30 years, Paul Larrabee, APR has been a well-known player in the field of PR, lobbying and New York politics – leading Corning Place Communications since 2011. Prior to joining CPC, he served on the senior communications staff of three governors, an attorney general and the state Assembly leadership. He also is an adjunct professor at Albany Law School where his coursework focuses on integrated strategic communications, advocacy and crisis mitigation.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The path to success and achievement is not necessarily a straight line. To be successful, you must be prepared to pursue Plan B if the primary route is blunted, altered, or results in an impasse. 

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Learning to be patient requires experience and honest assessment. That is a very difficult notion to grasp before embarking on a career in public relations, lobbying and politics.    

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
It is my goal to continue to make a meaningful contribution to those with whom I provide counsel, guidance and support.

Greg has served in all sectors of government at the municipal, state, federal, and international levels. He possesses a deep understanding of public affairs and governance, allowing him to advise clients utilizing sophisticated strategies in dealing with complex issues. Greg had a seat at the table in local and federal matters as past district director to Congresswoman Grace Meng and chief to staff to former New York City Council Member Karen Koslowitz.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?

1. Lesson learned and overheard as an intern in then U.S. Senator Joe Biden’s office – your family always comes first. This was creed.  
2. Your politics are often learned from your own experiences growing up. Keep true to your convictions but place yourself in someone else’s shoes to get a different window into the world.   
3. Most good policy, ideas, and political discussions are best formulated at diners, especially on Long Island!

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
As basic as this seems, build relationships and keep in touch with people. It doesn’t have to always be business related-check in on your friends and colleagues, whether a call, text or a like or comment on social media. While it helps professionally, it also expands your own understanding of the impact others are making in your field. Bottom line-be a decent person and most of all keep a stellar google doc of your contacts. 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
After being in the business of public affairs, public relations, government relations, government, and politics going on 23 years my goals are not all that different from the past: keep focus on my clients needs while thinking out of the box. Most importantly personally is ensuring a great year for our kindergartener and hoping my math skills stay somewhat above water in helping our 4th grader!

Founder and president of TAG since 1990, Scott Levenson, is a nationally and internationally recognized Democratic political consultant. Scott started his career as an organizer and has built TAG into a leading progressive political consulting firm.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
“Go to work for Massachusetts Fair Share as a canvasser”. Howard Zinn was my professor and the author of A People’s History of the United States and gave me this advice at a time when I was committed to doing “change”-work but had no path or understanding of how I could feed a family with that occupation. Canvassing started me on that path. 

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
I wish I could have gone into it knowing the importance of cultivating relationships, I would have cultivated more! Once I learned that the value of relationships with people far exceeded the value of money I knew what I had to do in order to succeed in this industry 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Opening an office overseas. 2024 is a big year, not just here in America but globally, with rising globalization so many of our most important issues are shared across the world. I’d love to drive change beyond the confines of the country or constitution. I also want to utilize more of our city’s green spaces, there is so much more we can be doing there.

Prior to PLA, Ms. Lynch worked in congressional and state offices in the communications field.  She utilized that skill set to build a modern government affairs operation integrating media and campaign principles to the then traditional art of government affairs. The firm focuses on corporate, entertainment, tourism, health and gaming clients at every level of government in New York. The firm also works to enhance tourism internationally by bringing sports (Yankees) entertainment, into different regions.   

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The primary objective of the firm should be client service with consistent deliverables.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Continuing to deliver for our client base and perfecting the art form of government affairs.

As the founder of Marino, Frank Marino built and scaled the agency’s Real Estate & Property Innovation practice, playing an integral role in shaping the narrative surrounding some of the most respected industry names and iconic properties. Together with the firm’s award-winning team, Frank – a member of REBNY’s Board of Governors – has developed and executed results-oriented, comprehensive communications strategies for a dynamic roster of clients, and has worked on some of the city’s most consequential projects.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Throughout my life, my father was an inspirational mentor for me. He instilled in me to take pride in everything you do and work hard whether it be in a professional setting or at home. He taught me that having a strong work ethic and following your passions is key to producing high-quality, meaningful results. This advice has motivated me and provided me with a sense of purpose in my career and beyond.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Something I learned early on in my career is the importance of being present and living in the now. Given how fast-paced and unpredictable the industry is, being flexible while planning for the future has proven successful. This mindset has kept me grounded and able to adapt to trends rather than focusing on what could have been. As a result, I’ve become better at responding to challenges, making decisions, and working efficiently. 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
While we’re already halfway through 2024, I’m excited for Marino to continue to grow. As a holistic agency, our integrated strategies help organizations change perceptions. For example, Marino recently launched its third season of the “Housing Problem” podcast covering the ins and outs of the affordable housing industry as well as producing and managing the podcast’s first live podcast event. I’m eager for more clients to take advantage of our full suite of services.

John leads Marino’s day-to-day operations and a combined staff of 60 team members. His reputation is unsurpassed among Fortune 100 C-Suite executives, founders at emerging technology/innovation companies, corporate principals of leading real estate companies, and directors at prestigious nonprofits. During his tenure, he has overseen growth of nearly 50 percent as measured by in-house expert personnel and revenue, with the agency now considered one of the most powerful PR and public affairs firms in the U.S. 

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Early in my career, a mentor advised me to always lead with integrity and to remember that I am not the only repository of good ideas. This advice has helped me to realize that as a leader, I need to listen more than I speak to create an environment of honesty, trust and transparency where ideas can flow freely. In the field of public affairs and public relations, trust is our most valuable currency. 

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Before starting my career in public affairs and strategic communications, I wish I had fully understood the importance of adaptability. This industry is incredibly dynamic, with the media landscape, public opinion, and political environments constantly evolving. The ability to pivot, learn new skills, and stay ahead of trends is crucial. I learned through experience that flexibility, intellectual curiosity and continuous learning are key to long-term success and staying relevant.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
One of my primary goals is to continue expanding our Creative Studio. Our in-house team of digital content creators, graphic designers and videographers continue to produce outstanding work and the demand has never been higher. We want to keep pushing the boundaries in this area and bring on clients looking for a fully integrated marketing firm that can achieve results that tell the right story through the right channels to reach the audiences they value most.

Jim McLaughlin is a nationally recognized pollster who helped elect a U.S. president, prime ministers, a senate majority leader and speakers of the House and is currently serving as campaign pollster for former President Donald J. Trump. In New York, Mr. McLaughlin has worked for Senator Al D’Amato, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, U.S. Representatives Peter King and Michael Lawler, and County Executive Rob Astrorino. He worked with the NRCC to help elect U.S. Representatives Nicole Maliotakis and Andrew Garbarino.

Since 2016, John McLaughlin has worked for former President Trump. Past clients include Steve Forbes, Al D’Amato, Pete King, Lee Zeldin, Fred Thompson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Last year he re-elected Prime Ministers Viktor Orban and Benjamin Netanyahu. He advises Nassau Chairman Joe Cairo, County Executives Bruce Blakeman, Ed Day, and Steve Neuhaus, and the conservative party. With his brother Jim, he helped elect Congressmen D’Esposito, Lawler and Williams.