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 and print news outlets. He has also been quoted as a grassroots expert in books ranging from "Power Public Relations" to "Burning at the Grassroots."
John previously served as the Vice President of Marketing and Creative Engagement with the Grassroots Enterprise. During his tenure in that role, he helped drive a nearly 300% increase in the firm's revenues.In recognition of his work, the American Association of Political Consultants awarded him its prestigious "Rookie of the Year" Pollie, an award for excellence in public affairs. In 2004, he was named one of the world's top 25, "individuals, organizations and companies that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics," by the World Forum on e-Democracy. And in early 2006, PR Week named him as one of the top five "PR Professionals of the Year."
John was the founder of "DraftWesleyClark.com," one of the most successful grassroots movements in American political history, and the 2004 "Golden Dot" winner for "Best Breakout/Impact Internet Movement."
In 1998, he helped lead MoveOn.org, an anti-impeachment petition that generated over half a million signatures and several million dollars in donations, and redefined American democracy. John also is the creator of ActForLove.org, a dating site for activists that promises the opportunity to "take action, get action." Prior to joining Grassroots Enterprise, John worked with the Carol/Trevelyan Strategy Group, Ogilvy Public Relations, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Lehman Brothers.
John holds a BA from Wesleyan University and an MA in public policy from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also came in second place at Valley Stream Central High School for "class clown." But the guy who came in first ended up on Saturday Night Live, so cut him some slack, okay?
Featured Project
2004
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club turned to Grassroots Enterprise to develop a plan to engage their wide network of volunteers in the Club's targeted voter mobilization and education efforts.
Using our propriety technology, the Sierra Club was not only able to educate this important bloc of voters, but empowered all their volunteers to get involved in key locations by using the Internet and cell phones to eliminate the geographic boundaries that would have prevented such involvement in the past.
