PRIMACY STRATEGY GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
- Member of the State and Local Government Relations
Amos A. Briggs is a member of the State and Local Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs team at the Primacy Strategy Group. He brings more than a decade of experience at the Minnesota Capitol effectively advocating for PSG and Lockridge Grindal Nauen government relations clients. Mr. Briggs has expertise on range of issues including commerce and regulatory reforms, bonding initiatives, software and technology matters, and education funding and policy. He applies his advanced knowledge of Minnesota's political landscape and legislative process, along with his extensive network of personal relationships, to represent nonprofits, businesses, trade associations, labor unions, and tribal governments. Additionally, Mr. Briggs regularly advises organizations pursuing opportunities through the state's complex public procurement process.
Job Titles:
- Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
- Member of the State and Local Government Relations
Ann Lenczewski is a member of the State and Local Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs team at the Primacy Strategy Group. For more than 20 years she has been a highly regarded leader in Minnesota politics. She also advises the firm's clients on a broad range of issues including tax policy, local government matters, and political strategy. She excels at delivering for clients at the Capitol and meeting clients' needs.
Job Titles:
- Federal Communications Commission Chairman
- Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
- Member of the State and Local Government Relations
Blair Thoreson is a member of the State and Local Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs team at the Primacy Strategy Group. He served as a state representative from 1998-2016 from the 44th Legislative District in Fargo, ND. During his legislative career, Thoreson served as chairman of the House Appropriations Government Operations committee. Additionally, he served on the Administrative Rules, Budget Section, Government Finance, Human Services, Information Technology, and Political Subdivisions committees.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer and Director of Association Management
Mr. Kasbohm is the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Association Management for the Primacy Strategy Group. Mr. Kasbohm is responsible for managing the finance and accounting functions for PSG. Mr. Kasbohm is a member of the executive management team providing budget management, cost-benefit analysis and forecasting to the CEO and the Board of Governors. In addition, he leads PSG's association and event management business unit.
Chase Cushman is the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Primacy Strategy Group and Synergetic Endeavors.
Job Titles:
- Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
- Member of the State and Local
Dan Larson is a member of the State and Local Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs team at the Primacy Strategy Group and the Director of State and Local Government Affairs at Lockridge Grindal Nauen. Mr. Larson is an expert in strategic advocacy and the legislative process. He brings over 30 years of experience in government, civic participation, and politics. He demonstrates a keen understanding of taxes, public health, technology, economic development, labor, pensions, and issues faced by tribal governments.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Larson served as a member of the Minnesota Legislature for 10 years. He was first elected in 1998 and served stints in both the Minnesota House and Senate. His tenure in the legislature included leadership roles on the Senate Taxes Committee, Subcommittee on Elections, and the House Transportation Committee. In addition, Mr. Larson served on the Legislative Audit Commission, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, and was a member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission.
Mr. Larson has close working relationships with members of the legislature, the Governor's office and administration, as well as city and county officials. Mr. Larson represents two of the largest tribes in the state of Minnesota and has successfully lobbied for tribe-specific initiatives. He also has extensive experience working on behalf of building trades unions.
He is interested topics like leadership development, process improvement and innovative approaches to project management. Frameworks that integrate unparalleled teamwork and communication in pursuit of developing best practices and increased efficiencies for clients.
Additionally, Mr. Larson is a former member of the American Cancer Society Leadership Board for Minnesota. As a cancer survivor, he was the inspiration for the creation of the Anti-Cancer Caucus and laid the foundation for its success. Mr. Larson has also been formally recognized by the public health community for his work on anti-smoking efforts in the state.
Job Titles:
- Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
Deb Peters is a former member of the South Dakota Legislature, serving in both the House of Representatives from 2005-2011 and the State Senate from 2011 to 2019. During her service in the Legislature, she served on several committees, including Chair of the Joint Appropriations Committee, both the House and Senate Government Operations and Audit Committees, House Judiciary and House Taxation Committees.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the CEO
Heidi A. Esparza
Executive Assistant to the CEO
(651) 340-4848
HeidiE@primacysg.com
Heidi Esparza is a member of the Primacy Strategy Group and Synergetic Endeavors teams, and is based out of the St. Paul offices. Ms. Esparza has over 20 years of administrative support experience, most of which has been supporting the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 663. Most recently Ms. Esparza served as Legislative Administrative Assistant at Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P.
Job Titles:
- Associate and Policy Analyst With
- Client Services Associate and Policy Analyst
Jack Ruppert is a Client Services Associate and Policy Analyst with Primacy Strategy Group. He comes to PSG with a range of experience in campaigns, politics and political consulting. Mr. Ruppert has served on multiple successful political campaigns, including work on Minnesota Governor Walz's 2022 reelection campaign and President Biden's 2020 campaign with the Florida Democratic Party.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Public Relations Manager
- National Political Director & Public Relations Manager
Jake Blum is National Political Director & Public Relations Manager for the Primacy Strategy Group. Mr. Blum has been with PSG for over 3 years and brings a wealth of political, communications, and policy experience to his expanded role as a member of the PSG team. A native of the Twin Cities suburbs, Mr. Blum attended the University of North Dakota where, during his collegiate tenure, he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives where he served from 2016-2019. In the legislature, Blum served on the Judiciary, Finance & Taxation, and Agriculture committees during a consequential era for the state as landmark criminal justice reform was passed within his committee and the state worked to continue to diversify its commodity-based economy.
In addition to his service in the legislature, Mr. Blum's background includes experience on multiple statewide and national political campaigns in the Midwest. Notably, Mr. Blum served as Deputy Communications Director for a successful U.S. Senate campaign, managing press inquiries and helping to implement the campaign's overall communications strategy in an intense, nationally spotlighted campaign.
At Primacy Strategy Group, Mr. Blum puts to use his rich background in fundraising, rapid response political communications and knowledge of how the state and federal government work to assist companies, nonprofits, and associations accomplish their goals. This practical experience enables him to better serve the firm's clients in the areas of Political Action Committee (PAC) administration and resource deployment, fundraising, business development, grassroots mobilization, public relations, public affairs, strategic communications and coalition building.
Job Titles:
- Senior Grants Coordinator
- Senior Social Scientist
Mindy C. Reiser is a senior social scientist with extensive experience at the state/national/international levels in research, communications, training and evaluation in education, health/human services, economic development and peacebuilding/conflict resolution. Experienced in grant writing and grant review for the public and private sectors, she has assessed knowledge management within the U.S. Government and designed and implemented training programs in public opinion/market research. Mindy has extensive background working with government agencies, the corporate sector, academic institutions, national/international non-governmental organizations, and foundations.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer and Director of Legislative Strategies
Nancy Rhyme is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Legislative Strategies at the Primacy Strategy Group. Ms. Rhyme provides oversight and management of the day to day operations of the firm. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, business development and fundraising.
Job Titles:
- Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
- Member of the State and Local Government Relations
Rudie Martinson is a member of the State and Local Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs team at the Primacy Strategy Group. He has an extensive background in government affairs and public policy. Prior to joining Primacy Strategy Group Rudie spent a decade as the Executive Director of the ND Hospitality Association, the state's trade association for the restaurant, lodging, and retail beverage industries. During his time there, he developed a reputation as an eloquent and effective coalition builder and advocate.
Ryan C. Kelly is a cofounder of the Primacy Strategy Group in addition to serving as the President and CEO. He also serves on the PSG Board of Governors and is the Principal of Synergetic Endeavors