M.C. Andrews
Mary Catherine (M.C.) Andrews brings two decades of foreign policy and communications experience to ViaNovo, an international management and communications consulting firm with offices in Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Monterrey, Mexico. She works from the firm's Washington, D.C. office.
She served as Special Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Global Communications from December 2003 to March 2005, where she created a press operation to support foreign journalists and coordinated major foreign policy and press initiatives for President George W. Bush. She served as deputy director to Tucker Eskew during the start up of that office. From President Bush's inauguration until she helped establish the Global Communications office, she was the Director for Democracy on the National Security Council staff at the White House.
She manages projects with international scope, as well as projects in the technology, health care sectors, and energy sectors. In addition, she specializes in comprehensive strategic advice for leading non-governmental organizations.
She has worked at prominent think tanks and non-governmental organizations, including the International Republican Institute, where she started up the Balkans programs in 1990. She served as the Country Advisor to the Central Europe Director at the World Bank and the Elections Director for the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe. In 1995 and 1996, she lived in Macedonia and instituted a new management structure for the Open Society Institute Macedonia. In addition, she developed and evaluated programs for the International Foundation for Election Systems.
Before joining the Bush-Cheney Transition Team after the 2000 elections, she managed the Aspen Strategy Group, where she developed programs, edited books for W.W. Norton and Company, and wrote papers for a bipartisan group of senior foreign policy leaders. From 1986 to 1990, she served in various capacities on the Washington, D.C. staff of former U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC).
M.C. has observed more than 25 elections in 12 countries and written eight books on democratic development in Central and East Europe. She is originally from Gastonia, North Carolina, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hollins College and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Blaine H. Bull
Blaine H. Bull is a founding partner of ViaNovo, an international management and communications consulting firm with offices in Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Monterrey, Mexico. With more than two decades of experience in politics, government, corporate America, and the art of the campaign, Blaine offers invaluable strategic insight on government affairs, media relations, issues management, internal and external communications, and public opinion.
Blaine has exercised his expertise in a broad range of industries and has enabled an array of clients to achieve their public policy goals. Prior to forming his own strategic communications company in 2004, the StratCom Group, Blaine was a founding officer and shareowner of Austin-based Public Strategies, Inc. During his 13 years as a managing director with Public Strategies, Blaine developed, managed, and helped implement dozens of successful international, national, multi-state, and statewide corporate campaigns.
As head of the company's core business unit, the national public affairs division, Blaine supervised more than 125 professionals and was responsible for the operation and management of ten offices nationwide. During his tenure at Public Strategies, Blaine spent three years on an in-house assignment with SBC Communications, coordinating its corporate activities to secure the success of two major mergers: Pacific Telesis and Ameritech.
Previously, Blaine worked in Washington, D.C. as legislative director to former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen and directed his successful 1988 re-election campaign. Blaine earned his master's degree at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and his bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University.
Carlos Cantú-Mireles
Carlos Cantú-Mireles offers extensive experience in economic research and analysis related to Mexico, United States, and other countries in the Americas. He works with international clients developing and implementing strategic communications programs.
Prior to joining ViaNovo in early 2008, Carlos played a key role in organizing the 2007 Monterrey Universal Forum of Cultures, an international event held every three years that fosters and showcases ideas and concepts that empower global civil society in search of just and sustainable development and cultural expression. Carlos served on the Citizen Participation Committee and as a liaison between Forum organizers and the four main universities in Monterrey that developed a number of debates, conferences and courses for the event. The 2007 Forum exceeded organizers' expectations, attracting the participation of more than 4.5 million people from around the world over the course of the 80-day event.
In 2004 Carlos worked coordinating research activities for CIMA Strategies, an international management consulting firm.
Carlos' previous experience includes working as Senior Economist at Harbor Intelligence, a Monterrey-based consulting firm specializing in research and strategy related to economics, finance, and markets. With responsibility for editing several weekly and monthly publications, Carlos provided clients with in-depth research and forecasts on government policy and economic fundamentals in Mexico, United States, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina.
A native of Monterrey, Mexico Carlos earned his bachelor's degree in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Monterrey Tech). He obtained his master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Monterrey.
Matthew Dowd
During the past twenty-five years, Matthew Dowd has helped shape strategies and campaigns for CEOs, corporations, foundations, governments, candidates, and presidents. He is a founding partner of ViaNovo, an international communications and brand positioning firm.
Matthew's recent political work includes serving as the Chief Strategist on two winning reelection efforts - for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006 and for President George W. Bush in 2004. His innovative approach and leadership on the 2004 campaign led the bi-partisan American Association of Political Consultants to name him Pollster of the Year.
Prior to the 2004, Matthew served as a senior advisor to the Republican National Committee and as a senior strategist on the 2000 Bush campaign, where he oversaw market research and managed the targeting and placement of the $150 million advertising budget.
In the 1990s, Matthew was President and founding partner of Public Strategies, Inc, an international public affairs firm. While at PSI, Matthew advised a wide variety of corporate clients. He also helped former Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock win election and re-election.
Matthew began his career as a member of U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen's senate and campaign staffs.
Matthew teaches at the University of Texas' LBJ School of Public Affairs and has led seminars at Stanford, Harvard and Yale Universities.
He currently serves as an analyst for ABC News and is co-author of the New York Times bestseller Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community.
Aaron Elizondo
Aaron Elizondo offers ViaNovo’s clients expertise in marketing, management & strategy and advocacy & campaigning. He joins the firm after completing 3 years of graduate studies, during which the topics he examined included: the importance of online engagement between firms and stakeholders, and; new media’s potential in the realms of political campaigning and grassroots movements.
Aaron’s prior experience includes more than 4 years as a Senior Trader at PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned oil company. With responsibility for business development and commodities trading, his work for the oil firm entailed negotiating multi-million dollar contracts on a day-to-day basis.
Aaron holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Monterrey Tech) in Mexico.
Lisa Eskew
Lisa Eskew provides national and state-level communications expertise from ViaNovo's Washington, D.C. office.
In 2004, Lisa co-founded Eskew Strategy Group, LLC, which was merged into the newly formed ViaNovo in May 2005. In addition to managing that firm's business operations, Lisa helped create and execute strategic communications programs for a range of clients.
Lisa managed press relations for the National Governors' Association from 1992 through 1995, after which she managed accounts for one of the Southeast's leading public relations and advertising firms. From 1996 through 1998, she conducted communications and grassroots outreach for the South Carolina Governor's Office, focusing on business leadership and welfare reforms. Lisa then employed her communications skills in the state legislature, working for the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader. As a private consultant and partner in a previous communications firm over the past three years, she performed editorial services and press outreach for trade associations and political campaigns.
Lisa is a graduate of Mt. Vernon College. She and her family live in Alexandria, Virginia.
Tucker Eskew
Tucker Eskew is a founding partner of ViaNovo, an international management and communications consulting firm with offices in Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Monterrey, Mexico. With twenty-five years' experience in state-level and presidential politics, as well as international communications, Tucker leads the firm's Washington office, overseeing the development and execution of strategic communications programs for corporate and public policy initiatives.
From grassroots America to the global information climate, Tucker has served as both high-stakes strategist and high-visibility spokesman, developing messages and tactics to lead opinion during the most intense public debates of the new century. He played leadership roles during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars; in the 2000 campaign and recount; for the Bush-Cheney re-election, and for the McCain-Palin campaign, where he served as counselor to the vice-presidential nominee.
Tucker served until December 2003 as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Global Communications. In this capacity he developed strategic communications to promote American policies around the world and led the Administration's wartime messaging.
During the war in Afghanistan, Tucker served in London as the President's representative to No. 10 Downing Street for communications strategy.
In 2001, during his tenure as Director of the White House Office of Media Affairs, he oversaw the Administration's strategy and tactics for "outside-the-Beltway" news organizations, talk radio, specialty media, and the President's official website.
In the mid-90s, he co-founded an electronic commerce business and later started a South Carolina-based public relations and business-consulting firm.
Previously, Tucker served eight years as Press Secretary and Communications Director to South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell. Tucker began his career on President Ronald Reagan's 1984 re-election campaign.
Prior to forming ViaNovo, he founded Eskew Strategy Group, LLC, which was merged into the newly-formed ViaNovo in May 2005.
Tucker serves on advisory boards for several corporations, and he volunteers his time at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia and on the Advisory Council for the College of Charleston's Department of Communication . He graduated with a degree in Political Science (departmental honors) from the University of the South (Sewanee).
Antonio O. Garza
Antonio O. Garza, Jr. served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009 focusing his work on U.S. interests in Mexico, international business development, and broadening and deepening the dialogue between the two countries. He is credited as being amongst the primary proponents of the landmark Merida Initiative aimed at addressing critical regional security concerns.
Tony leverages his unique cross-border business, political and legal experience to serve his clients as a partner with ViaNovo, a leading management and communications consultancy, and is chair of ViaNovo Ventures, which assists international companies in their expansion endeavors in the North American market.
Tony serves on the Board of Directors of Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS) and has advised the U.S. government and publicly-traded companies; he has also worked closely with state and federal officials in Mexico and the United States. In addition to his position at ViaNovo, Mr. Garza serves as Of Counsel in the Mexico City office of White & Case, a leading global law firm. He is the recipient of the Azteca Aguilar or Aztec Eagle, the Mexican government’s highest honor bestowed upon a non-citizen.
Tony holds a BBA from The University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University School of Law and has been honored as a distinguished alumnus at both institutions. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the District of Columbia Bar and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Julie Hillrichs
Julie Hillrichs draws upon almost two decades of experience in politics and journalism to offer strategic communications counsel for ViaNovo clients.
Julie joined ViaNovo from Public Strategies, Inc., where she worked for five years as a director in the firm's Dallas office, overseeing and contributing to varied state and national accounts. Previously, Julie served as director of public affairs and marketing for the National Center for Policy Analysis, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research institute.
Julie's background includes managing media relations for then-U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, working in Texas and in Washington, DC on his successful re-election campaigns and as a member of the Senator's legislative staff. Julie also served as a director of public information and as a communications director at a statewide regulatory agency. She provided expertise to the National Republican Senatorial Committee as a media consultant for the election campaigns for U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Paul Coverdell of Georgia. Earlier in her career, Julie worked as a reporter for The Midland (Texas ) Reporter-Telegram and for The Des Moines (Iowa) Register .
Kara Kennedy
Kara Kennedy brings extensive experience to ViaNovo as a Hill aide, senior consultant and strategic advisor to leading public officials. Most recently, she has served as Senior Advisor to Eskew Strategy Group, which in May 2005 merged into ViaNovo. Prior to helping build one of the largest independently owned lobbying firms in the nation's capital, Kara served as Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn's (R-WA) Chief of Staff, managing the entire Dunn Congressional and political operation.
Previously, Kara was Dunn's Communications Director, managing a series of high-level media opportunities, including an historic campaign for House Majority Leader in the wake of then-Speaker Gingrich stepping down; the first response to the President's State of the Union address delivered by a woman in the U.S. House; and Dunn's public role in helping Governor George W. Bush launch his presidential campaign from Texas.
Kara worked for the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in 1995, working on issues such as health care, environment, tax and trade policy. She then served on the Speaker's communications team for two years. In the early 1990's, Kara was an environment and natural resources policy analyst for the National Governors' Association (NGA).
Elizabeth Pearsall Lippincott
Elizabeth Pearsall Lippincott joined ViaNovo after 20 years working at the intersection of law and public policy in Texas and Washington, D.C. For ViaNovo's clients, Elizabeth combines international campaign experience with legal advocacy and analytical skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of issues ranging from international software piracy to economic development.
Before joining ViaNovo, Elizabeth was Chief of Staff and General Counsel to then-Texas State Representative Juan M. Garcia III. Previously, she served as a legislative aide in both the Texas House and Senate and as Director of Scheduling on the 1990 campaign of Texas Governor Ann Richards.
In Washington, Elizabeth worked for Covington & Burling, where she managed legislative reform campaigns in Latin America to improve market access for U.S. software makers. During campaigns in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Uruguay, she worked with local media, legislators and opinion leaders to change legal policies and public opinion. Earlier in her career, Elizabeth began her law practice with Scott, Douglass & McConnico in Austin.
Born in Madrid, Spain, Elizabeth graduated from Princeton University and holds a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas Law School, where she was an editor of the Texas Law Review. She also completed the University of London's Program in European Union Law, where she took Special Honors in EU Internal Trade Law and EU Environmental Law.
Elizabeth is active in Leadership Austin, a community leadership program, where she serves on the Alumni Committee. She is also co-chair of the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee for Austin and Central Texas.
Lori McClure
Lori McClure brings to ViaNovo extensive public and private sector experience in managing projects, coordinating research activities, and developing and implementing strategic communications programs. Lori is based in the firm's Austin, Texas, office.
Lori was previously Vice President of CIMA Strategies, an international management consulting firm, where she managed client projects as well as marketing and development initiatives. Lori helped the firm expand from its formation to its merger into ViaNovo in May 2005.
Earlier in her career, Lori was a key member of the international division of Public Strategies, Inc., an Austin, Texas-based public affairs and communications firm. She coordinated client, research, and marketing activities; served as Austin liaison for the firm's Mexico City office; and assisted in the management of the division.
Lori's professional career also includes work as a freelance writer and consultant on strategic communications projects. She previously served as Assistant Division Director for research and planning at the then-Texas Department of Commerce, where she oversaw research on international trade, foreign investment, and state economic development initiatives.
Lori received an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the Institute of Latin American Studies and a master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, both at the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her undergraduate degree at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.
William Moore
Billy Moore contributes decades of Capitol Hill experience and campaign know-how to ViaNovo's management and consulting team. He is a veteran of more than 50 election campaigns and worked for 26 years in the U.S. Congress. Based in ViaNovo's Washington, D.C. office, Billy blends insight on government, the media, policy issues and public opinion to help clients achieve their high-stakes goals.
Billy has directed the U.S. government sales strategy for a worldwide provider of information technology services and has managed coalitions of finance corporations, real estate associations, local elected officials, and a statewide group of Texas employers. He also directed strategic advocacy projects for diverse clients, including: multiple health systems, a global computer manufacturer, an international Real Estate Investment Trust, an election system hardware and software manufacturer, a scientific research and development non-profit and a real estate development company.
Billy's work on electoral campaigns dates to 1969 and includes races for local, state, congressional and presidential offices. He served U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen (Texas) for ten years and was Chief of Staff to U.S. Representatives Jim Chapman (Texas) and David Price (North Carolina), also serving on the staffs of the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.
Billy is a regular guest lecturer on Congress and elections at the United States War College, the Johns Hopkins University Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Billy attended the University of Texas at Austin.
Robert Norcross
Rob Norcross brings to ViaNovo's management and consulting team a depth of experience in public policy and advocacy strategy, legislative and regulatory affairs and crisis management. Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Rob contributes issue expertise that spans financial services, health care, government procurement and elections.
Rob's distinguished professional background includes working for eight years as a Managing Director with Public Strategies Inc., the international public affairs firm based in Austin. Rob directed diverse client teams, coordinating on behalf of an international client base an array of public policy, advocacy, communications, government affairs and crisis-management strategies and programs. Earlier, he led the firm's Targeted Communications Division and was responsible for overseeing the development and execution of advocacy and mobilization communications for a variety of clients.
Previously, Rob served as President of the Texas Conference for Homeowners' Rights, Inc., a coalition that successfully advocated the passage of legislation and a constitutional amendment to end the state's 150-year prohibition against home-equity loans. Rob coordinated the outreach activities of more than 35,000 corporate and individual association members and managed a team of 32 lobbyists working to secure passage of the historic legislation. Prior to his work with TCHR, Rob served as the general counsel of the Texas Bankers Association, coordinating the organization's legislative, regulatory and litigation strategy. His career also includes several years in private practice with a San Antonio law firm.
Rob is a summa cum laude graduate of Texas Tech University, from which he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence, MBA and BA (in Finance).
Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon draws from a decade of high-profile business, government, and political experience as he advises clients on brand positioning, issue advocacy, strategic planning, and business development issues.
Before joining ViaNovo, Mike worked at the Boston Consulting Group, where he counseled corporate leaders on management and operations. He is a veteran of two winning U.S. presidential campaigns, for which he directed more than $225 million in advertising buys, and has served on the White House Staff, where he coordinated opinion research and strategic planning activities. He began his career at a global energy company, where he focused on project and acquisition financing, including the $1.3 billion leveraged buyout of a power company.
Mike holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University. He serves as a volunteer advisor to a variety of non-profits including By the Hand Club for Kids, SafePlace, and the E3 Alliance.
James S. Taylor
James S. Taylor is a founding partner of ViaNovo, a management and communications consultancy with offices in Austin, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Monterrey, Mexico. He advises government and corporate leaders in Mexico and the United States, assisting in the design and execution of strategic initiatives aimed at achieving meaningful business and policy outcomes. James also co-manages ViaNovo Ventures, a new company initiative designed to partner with private equity funds and investors on an entrepreneurial basis to help them achieve their business goals.
Prior to ViaNovo, James founded strategic consulting firm CIMA Strategies Ltd., and was a founding director and shareholder of Austin, Texas-based Public Strategies, Inc., an international public affairs firm at which James created and managed the firm's International Public Affairs division.
Earlier in his career, James was a presidential appointee to the United States International Trade Commission, where he served as chief of staff to the Commissioner. He also served as Special Assistant on Hispanic and Mexico affairs to former United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, and was the deputy campaign director for the State of Texas during the Senator's successful 1988 re-election bid.
James was born in Texas and grew up in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico. He earned his bachelor's degree in international studies from Texas State University and pursued graduate studies at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. James also completed the Executive Program at Stanford University.
James is active in various organizations, including: as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; as an Advisory Board member of the Woodrow Wilson Center of Mexico Institute; as a board member of CARITAS of Austin; and the Mexican American Leadership Foundation. He also serves on Texas State University's College of Liberal Arts Advisory Board.
James is married to Ingrid Taylor and has two teenage children.