Our People

 
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Kurt Davis- Founding partner

Kurt Davis is a founding partner for FirstStrategic. Davis leads the firm’s strategic public policy development for non-profit clients, all federal legislative activities, and rural Arizona issues.

Prior to forming FirstStrategic, Davis served as the Vice President of Public Affairs & Marketing at Northern Arizona University. Additionally, Davis served as the Vice President of Public Affairs & Corporate Communications at the publicly traded fire and ambulance services corporation, Rural/Metro. Preceding his time at Rural/Metro, Davis served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant in the Office of the Arizona Governor; holding direct oversight for numerous state agencies including the Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, and the Game and Fish Department.

Davis’ extensive experience also includes serving as the Arizona co-lead for Senator John McCain’s Presidential campaign in 2007. Davis also served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs & Issues Analysis in the Arizona Office of the Attorney General, as a Commissioner on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party, and held appointed positions in the Reagan Administration at the the White House.

Davis currently serves as a Board Member on the Great Hearts Academies, and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. He received his B.S. degree from Northern Arizona University. He and his wife, Janet, live in Phoenix and enjoy the outdoors and their two grandchildren Finley and Amelie.

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Marcus Dell’Artino- Partner

Marcus Dell’Artino joined FirstStrategic as a partner in late 2008. He leads the firm’s state relations projects and is active in initiative and referendum campaign efforts.

Prior to joining FirstStrategic, Mr. Dell’Artino served as the Deputy Director of the Southwest Region for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Before joining the campaign, Mr. Dell’Artino spent nine years lobbying for numerous Fortune 500 clients, local governments, and non-profit organizations; garnering recognition as one of the best lobbyists by the Arizona Capitol Times survey. In addition to his accomplishments as a lobbyist, Mr. Dell’Artino consulted on several statewide initiatives; including Proposition 100, Proposition 202, Proposition 108, and Proposition 303. He also served as a consultant to the Arizona Republican Party, and frequently serves as a campaign expert for several media outlets.

Mr. Dell’Artino’s experience includes extensive experience in the public sector as well. He served as the Chief of Staff to County Supervisor Don Stapley, and worked for several members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation; including former Congressman Matt Salmon and Congressman J.D. Hayworth.

Mr. Dell’Artino has served on several boards including the Maricopa County Parks Board, the City of Phoenix Block Watch Committee, the Phoenix City Village Planning Committee, and the Central Arizona Shelter Services Board. His broad experience and expertise earned him numerous accolades including selection to the Phoenix Forty Under 40 list in 2007, and selection by the International Republican Institute to travel to Jordan to lecture on the importance of survey instruments.

Marcus received his B.S. degree from the University of Arizona. He lives in Phoenix with his wife Meghaen, and their three daughters.

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Bob Charles- Director of strategic communications and legislative affairs

Bob Charles serves as the Director of Strategic Communications and Legislative Affairs at FirstStrategic.

Mr. Charles spent the last decade working in multiple disciplines within the public affairs, government and private arenas doing everything from managing campaigns, to running state and federal legislation, to consulting and implementing communications and strategy for businesses, organizations, and candidates.

Bob worked on Capitol Hill in the offices of Senator John McCain and served as Senator McCain’s National Coalition Coordinator for his 2008 Presidential campaign.

In addition to his extensive campaign experience, he served as Congressman Ben Quayle’s Congressional District Director and as Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Industrial Commission and Legislative Liaison at the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Most recently, he served as the communications leader for Arizona Public Service.

Bob earned his B.S. degree from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and his MBA from the George Washington University. He lives in Phoenix with his wife, two children, and their boxer.

Frank Komadina- Assistant Director, Government RELATIONS and Communications

Frank re-joined the FirstStrategic team in January 2024 after serving at the Arizona State Legislature as a Research Analyst for two years. Before joining the Arizona Legislature as a Research Analyst, Frank served for 11 years in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman and Ranger. He brings a wide range of experience working in the interagency, the Department of Defense as well as working within the Arizona legislative process.