The firm
Above Public Affairs was founded on a simple conviction: that the best public affairs work is built on deep expertise, trusted relationships, and a commitment to results.
We pair sharp strategy with relentless execution across advocacy, communications, digital, and research — the disciplines that move policy, shape narratives, and win campaigns. Founded by industry veterans, our bench draws from political campaigns, regulatory bodies, Fortune 500 in-house teams, non-profits, and government agencies on both sides of the aisle.
We are a focused, independent public affairs firm — purpose-built to deliver the kind of nimble, dedicated service that today's most complex public affairs challenges demand.
Who we are
Founder
Ellie Barmish is a founder of Above Public Affairs and has spent nearly a decade inside the rooms where policy gets made and public opinion gets shaped — from Capitol Hill to national and local advocacy work, to legislative and boardroom strategy sessions. Her breadth of experience spans campaigns, legislative advocacy, communications, digital strategy, social media, and coalition building.
Founder
Joshua is a founder of Above Public Affairs and has a depth of experience using digital tools to impact legislation and influence lawmakers and agency heads. His experience includes running multimillion dollar advertising budgets, launching interactive websites, generating organic social content, developing and executing omnichannel communication plans, and distilling messages for effective online consumption – all under the banner of digital advocacy. He is well-versed in the latest online tactics and trends.
Founder
Tony Gius is a founder of Above Public Affairs and specializes in managing grassroots campaigns, mobilization strategies, and coordinated communications and media efforts. He has vast political campaign experience, including two successful presidential campaigns, three statewide campaigns, and has implemented successful local and national campaigns for numerous national corporations, associations, and nonprofits organizations. Tony’s experience reaches across a multitude of industries including energy, immigration, technology, water, and healthcare.
Founder
Kate Zaykowski is a founder of Above Public Affairs and has more than fifteen years of experience spanning Capitol Hill, presidential campaigns, the Texas Legislature, the energy industry, and top-tier consulting. Kate has served as Director of Communications in multiple capacities, including at the U.S. Capitol, the Texas Legislature, and the Texas Oil & Gas Association. She also led public affairs for Parsley Energy, and worked as Director of Public Affairs for a Texas Railroad Commissioner, with stints on political campaigns sprinkled in between. Most recently, she was Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications at McGuireWoods Consulting. Along the way, her work has helped garner support for energy projects and shape legislation and public perception of policy impacts across the country.
Manager, Government Affairs and Advocacy
Annie is a manager of Government Affairs and Advocacy at Above Public Affairs, providing grassroots and grasstops coalition outreach, community-level research, stakeholder intelligence, and issue monitoring at the state and local level. She works across industries with a particular focus on energy and land use.
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