The Leadership Team
The Grassroots Enterprise team has helped build some of the most successful grassroots efforts in history, for clients ranging from national advocacy groups to Fortune 1000 corporations. Unless you've been in a sensory deprivation chamber for the last decade, chances are you've heard of some of them. We've also been at the cutting edge of many of the most exciting developments and technologies in the emerging "Web 2.0" world of social networking. Go ahead - click around, meet the folks, and learn more about the people behind the company.
John Hlinko
President and CEO
As a youngster, John Hlinko never dreamed he would grow up to record a Grammy-winning duet with country music legend Willie Nelson. and indeed, it never happened. But John has been long recognized as an innovator on the grassroots engagement front, received numerous awards for his work, and been covered by nearly all the major broadcast...
Bill McIntyre
Executive Vice President
Bill is the Col. John "Hannibal" Smith (from the hit TV show the A-Team) of public affairs...but without the cigar and cheesy disguises. Like "Hannibal," Bill is adept at dealing with problems, figuring out what is wrong and resolving it. He is a master strategist, blending new and traditional communications tactics on behalf of products, causes and companies....
Bob Florian
Executive Vice President of Engineering
Bob's mind is insured by Lloyd's of London. Need I say more? He is the "Tim Gunn" of product/cause marketing software because he can "make it work" - the signature credo of TV's Project Runway starring Tim Gunn. Bob is a software industry veteran with over 20 years experience developing systems ranging from Internet applications to flight simulators...
Kevin McCann
Executive Vice President of Client Services
Kevin is the "Clark Kent" of cyberspace...mild mannered on the outside but Superman on the inside. He founded and led one of the most successful grassroots movements in Canadian history, www.FairDealForNewfoundland.com. In little over a month, the campaign engaged over 27,000 activists, and succeeded in helping spur a $2.6 billion dollar agreement for the province...
Mike Panetta
Vice President, Public Affairs and Emerging Media
Mike Panetta is an elected official with an impressive background in both political advocacy and creative Internet strategies. Mike is currently Vice President for Public Affairs and Emerging Media where he leads Grassroots Enterprise's efforts in embracing new technologies for political and advocacy purposes...
Kevin O'Neill
Managing Director
The Marathon Man. Kevin O'Neill doesn't just run marathons, he also brings the marathon mindset to his client work. Whether its strategic endurance or tactical athletics, Kevin's communications and political experience and appetite supercharge his as Director of Online Campaigns at Grassroots Enterprise. It's no wonder he was named a "Rising Star of Politics" by Campaigns and Elections magazine in 2006...
Alicia Risk
Director, Product Management
Alicia is a skilled technologist with nearly 10 years of experience managing software as a service products. Prior to joining the Grassroots team Alicia worked in the non-profit sector managing multi-media projects at the Center for Governmental Studies. At CGS she helped develop early SaaS (though it was not called that at the time) applications used for voter education in partnership with the League of Women Voters...
Darren Chong
Director
Drawing from his background of over nine years in Washington politics, policy and media, Darren advises clients on communications strategies with a focus on using the web to enhance existing business and corporate functions. He also manages the development of large-scale websites and helps clients leverage emerging media and technology to their strategic advantage...
Mark Maloney
Executive Creative Director
As executive creative director, Mark is responsible for translating customer insight into relevant and engaging interactive communications programs. A former biochemist, he has a uniquely analytical approach to creative development...
Company Advisers
Arvind Rajan
Chairman
The Chairman of Grassroots Enterprise, Arvind previously served as the firm's President and CEO. During that time, he successfully implemented pioneering online and offline grassroots and public affairs strategies for Fortune 100 corporations, trade associations and nonprofit organizations. But we also think Arvind inspired Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill...
Reid Hoffman
Senior Adviser
If the name Reid Hoffman sounds familiar, it's because you are probably professionally connected to him; after all, he was LinkedIn's founding CEO for the first four years before moving to his role as Chairman and President, Products in February 2007. While CEO, Reid built the company to over 9 million members and profitability. He now drives product and business strategy for LinkedIn...
Mike McCurry
Senior Adviser
Mike brings twenty-five years of experience in national politics to his role as a Senior Advisor to the company. He served as press secretary to President Bill Clinton, as spokesperson for the State Department under Warren Christopher, as director of communications for the Democratic National Committee, and as press secretary to numerous presidential candidates and U.S. Senators...
Randy Tate
Senior Adviser
Since 2004, Randy Tate has served as a Senior Advisor and Board Member for Grassroots Enterprise. A former United States Congressman, Randy Tate represented Washington's 9th Congressional District from 1995-1997, helping inaugurate the first Republican majority in four decades. Mr. Tate was a member of the House Transition Team and served Republican Deputy Whip...
Featured Project
LEADERSHIP
The "Odd Couple"
When you walk into the Grassroots Enterprise office in Washington, DC, you might notice something strange.
On your left (appropriately) is the office for John Hlinko, an ardent Democrat who helped lead MoveOn.org in its early days. On your right (of course) is the office for Bill McIntyre, the former chief national spokesman for the NRA.
But you see, here at Grassroots Enterprise, we don't think of it as "oil and water" but rather "peanut butter and jelly."
