Devon Ford

Senior Associate

At California Strategies, Devon Ford develops and executes public affairs strategies for some of the state’s most prominent companies, candidates, associations, and organizations. Leaning on rich experience for 25 years in public relations and public affairs, he has managed a range of programs, from international campaigns to local event coordination, legislative advocacy, public outreach and education, message development, marketing, government relations, campaign management, media relations, advance work, and issues and crisis management.  Additionally, he is responsible for the daily marketing activities of California Strategies through message development, graphic design, media relations and social media management.  His strategies often result in improving and protecting communities.

He currently represents the California Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Instructors (CAHPERD) before the California Legislature where he has provided legislative advocacy that promotes healthy lifestyles for all populations through education.

Ford works with The AutoClub Speedway, a racetrack located in Fontana which has hosted NASCAR races since 1997.  Here, he has educated legislators on the positive financial impact that NASCAR provides every community when stock car racing comes to town.  He also advocates on behalf of the Speedway as it pertains to fan safety and consumer friendly ticket sales.   The track is in operation most days of the year hosting races, driver experiences, or being used to film movies and commercials.  Ford coordinated with the Governor’s office during the pandemic to designate the Speedway as a COVID testing site and later a vaccine super site.

He assisted First 5 LA’s communications strategies which continue to focus on providing crucial investments across LA County to support families and their children ages 0-5. Working with a multitude of stakeholders and leaders in the State Senate and Assembly, Ford was able to secure support at the Federal Level for continued MIECHV (Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting) funding.

Ford has assisted on numerous statewide and local political campaigns as well, including a social media effort to win overwhelming support to defeat Proposition 38 in 2012. He was also instrumental in helping to elect current Sacramento Mayor, Darrell Steinberg, and Lieutenant Governors John Garamendi and Gavin Newsom.

He worked with a broad-based coalition to support the passage of Proposition 64, The Adult use of Marijuana Act. Ford co-managed social media tasks for the campaign, a major press conference kick-off, advance work and ongoing media relations that helped produce the win for Prop 64.

He collaborated with one of the most successful campaign teams via media relations and press conferences to secure the overwhelming defeat of Proposition 46, a measure that would have burdened Californians with increased health care costs.

He has assisted multiple associations and organizations with communications efforts including the NFL, The County of El Dorado, The International Franchise Association, Ralphs, The California Medical Association, SeaWell, Lineage Logistics, Proterra and the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry.

Ford co-managed the “Save Corti’s” campaign, a local Sacramento grassroots movement to save a revered community grocery from being displaced by a hostile competitor. The campaign, though perceived as a long shot, garnered enough public attention to reverse the competitor’s pursuit and ensured Corti’s existence at the store’s original location.

Ford joined Burson-Marsteller’s Sacramento public affairs practice in 2000. The following year, he led the Burson-Marsteller West Coast Insight and Ideas Group as a Research Specialist, providing research that delivered measurable results to clients around the world. He also served Burson-Marsteller clients by providing in-depth analysis and accurate forecasts on a number of issues. In this dual role, Ford’s creative insights and research experience provided refreshing solutions for all parties.

Ford cut his teeth in political activism as President of his high school Amnesty International chapter, he directed a letter-writing campaign that helped lead to the release of a prisoner of conscience in Soviet-controlled Ukraine – a man who’d protested the government distribution of radioactive milk following the Chernobyl disaster.

Ford graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from California State University. He has been invited to CSU Chico to be a guest lecturer for the Department of Anthropology, providing insight on the value of applied anthropology in the industry of communications.  He resides in Sacramento with his Son, Mason, and Daughter Emma.

Specialties
1.
Governmental Affairs and Coalition-Building Strategies
2.
Public Affairs Strategic Management
3.
Procurement
4.
Strategic Communications and Media Relations
5.
Event Coordination

Expertise

Entertainment
Environment
Federal State & Local Government
Gaming
Media & Presentation Training
Natural Resources
Philanthropic Planning
Procurement
Public Private Partnerships
Strategic Communications
Tribal Affairs
Water
Career Highlights
1.
Assisted with the successful political campaign to elect John Garamendi Lieutenant Governor of California
2.
Co-managed the successful “Save Corti’s” campaign
3.
Led the Burson-Marsteller West Coast Insight and Ideas Group

Contact Devon Ford

California Strategies’ Devon Ford Works With The Office of Assemblymember Vince Fong To Secure An Assembly Resolution For Our NASCAR Client And Recently Retired American Pro Stock Car Driver, Kevin Harvick, Honoring His Final Race In Sonoma
Ford Accompanied Members Of The United States Coast Guard With NASCAR Representatives During The Race. https://calstrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230611_121103.mp4
California Strategies’ Devon Ford Works With The Sacramento Observer To Promote Sickle Cell Disease Awareness On Behalf Of The Sickle Cell Disease Partnership
Series of articles and video highlights sickle cell’s impact on the African American community and how medical professionals and lawmakers are working to remove barriers to care and ensure that...
California Strategies & Advocacy Announces Available Fellowship Position in Sacramento
CALIFORNIA STRATEGIES & ADVOCACY, LLC SACRAMENTO OFFICE FELLOW POSITION Sacramento-based governmental affairs firm is seeking a full-time policy fellow to provide analytical research, coordinate client meetings and calls, assist in...