Interview with Sara Katz
President and founder of Katz & Associates
About Katz & Associates: Founded in 1986, Katz & Associates is a nationally recognized public affairs consulting firm specializing in issues-based communication for private and public sector clients. The firm provides community relations, public participation and issues management for environmental and public works programs.
What is your background? I have a bachelor's degree in economics and I minored in political science. I also have extensive training in conflict resolution and facilitation. Some the best training I received early on in my career was working on political campaigns. For more than 10 years, I worked at local, state and federal levels for candidates and initiatives.
Why and how did you start Katz & Associates? My paycheck from my previous employer bounced for three pay cycles and the handwriting was on the wall. I had other employment options, but a friend and client of mine suggested that I start my own firm. He offered to buy 50 percent of my time for six months to work on a statewide political campaign. He encouraged me to use the other 50 percent of my time to go out and get some clients. That was 21 years ago; the rest is history.
What makes your company unique? I decided early on that my role was to promote my clients and stay behind the scenes. I adopted a strategy to not send out press releases each time I hired someone or landed a new account. I worked strategically to apply the skills, knowledge and network I earned while working for elected officials and running political campaigns to help public agencies tackle tough public issues associated with water, wastewater, transportation, energy and other pressing and often controversial infrastructure and environmental projects.
What are some of the interesting projects your company has worked on? There have been so many, but working with the San Diego County Water Authority on its 15-year effort to ensure available water for the region in an emergency is one of my favorites. This program resulted in the building of the first reservoir and dam in San Diego County in more than 50 years. Last year, we finished a three-year assignment in Iraq to identify and create employment opportunities for Iraqi women in the reconstruction of the water and wastewater infrastructure in that country. Even in a war zone where temperatures exceed 100 degrees and you're facing inherent cultural and religious challenges, you can make measured headway if you have passion and are determined. We can identify more than 500 contracts that women-owned Iraqi companies received through this initiative and more than 1,900 mid- and senior-level women who received advanced workplace training and development.
What do you enjoy most about what you do? We serve an important role by helping to communicate and facilitate complex and often controversial information to various publics. It is challenging and often demanding, but it can be very satisfying to know that in some small way, we played a part in bringing desalinated water to a community or cleaning up a toxic environmental site.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job? There are many. First, creating a firm culture and work environment that is rewarding, challenging and productive for individuals ranging in age from 25 to 65. Second, working with mostly public sector clients who are often in the spotlight, have elected boards and officials they must report to and the overall accountability that exists with their internal and external stakeholders. And finally, I am a single mom of two young, great kids. I don't want to miss out on their childhoods, so it's a constant struggle to give the firm all that I can and to be there for Justen and Alena.
How has the firm changed over the years? Our client base now extends from Guam to Alaska and from California to Florida. We have grown to more than 40 people and have offices in San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Seattle.
What is your secret to success? Hard work and loyalty. I'm not a big believer in short cuts.
What advice do you have for women climbing the executive ladder? Be willing to pay your dues. Trust your instincts. Surround yourself with people who compliment your strengths and weaknesses. Dress the part for your audience. Look people in the eye and give them your attention. The ability to speak and present well in public is important. Ask others for their opinion. Get involved with organizations that support the niches you are targeting. Make your job much more than just your paycheck. Don't be so serious that you cannot laugh or enjoy what you do. Celebrate and share success.
Katz & Associates
4250 Executive Square, Suite 670, San Diego
(858) 452-0031
www.katzandassociates.com
President and founder of Katz & Associates
About Katz & Associates: Founded in 1986, Katz & Associates is a nationally recognized public affairs consulting firm specializing in issues-based communication for private and public sector clients. The firm provides community relations, public participation and issues management for environmental and public works programs.
What is your background? I have a bachelor's degree in economics and I minored in political science. I also have extensive training in conflict resolution and facilitation. Some the best training I received early on in my career was working on political campaigns. For more than 10 years, I worked at local, state and federal levels for candidates and initiatives.
Why and how did you start Katz & Associates? My paycheck from my previous employer bounced for three pay cycles and the handwriting was on the wall. I had other employment options, but a friend and client of mine suggested that I start my own firm. He offered to buy 50 percent of my time for six months to work on a statewide political campaign. He encouraged me to use the other 50 percent of my time to go out and get some clients. That was 21 years ago; the rest is history.
What makes your company unique? I decided early on that my role was to promote my clients and stay behind the scenes. I adopted a strategy to not send out press releases each time I hired someone or landed a new account. I worked strategically to apply the skills, knowledge and network I earned while working for elected officials and running political campaigns to help public agencies tackle tough public issues associated with water, wastewater, transportation, energy and other pressing and often controversial infrastructure and environmental projects.
What are some of the interesting projects your company has worked on? There have been so many, but working with the San Diego County Water Authority on its 15-year effort to ensure available water for the region in an emergency is one of my favorites. This program resulted in the building of the first reservoir and dam in San Diego County in more than 50 years. Last year, we finished a three-year assignment in Iraq to identify and create employment opportunities for Iraqi women in the reconstruction of the water and wastewater infrastructure in that country. Even in a war zone where temperatures exceed 100 degrees and you're facing inherent cultural and religious challenges, you can make measured headway if you have passion and are determined. We can identify more than 500 contracts that women-owned Iraqi companies received through this initiative and more than 1,900 mid- and senior-level women who received advanced workplace training and development.
What do you enjoy most about what you do? We serve an important role by helping to communicate and facilitate complex and often controversial information to various publics. It is challenging and often demanding, but it can be very satisfying to know that in some small way, we played a part in bringing desalinated water to a community or cleaning up a toxic environmental site.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job? There are many. First, creating a firm culture and work environment that is rewarding, challenging and productive for individuals ranging in age from 25 to 65. Second, working with mostly public sector clients who are often in the spotlight, have elected boards and officials they must report to and the overall accountability that exists with their internal and external stakeholders. And finally, I am a single mom of two young, great kids. I don't want to miss out on their childhoods, so it's a constant struggle to give the firm all that I can and to be there for Justen and Alena.
How has the firm changed over the years? Our client base now extends from Guam to Alaska and from California to Florida. We have grown to more than 40 people and have offices in San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Seattle.
What is your secret to success? Hard work and loyalty. I'm not a big believer in short cuts.
What advice do you have for women climbing the executive ladder? Be willing to pay your dues. Trust your instincts. Surround yourself with people who compliment your strengths and weaknesses. Dress the part for your audience. Look people in the eye and give them your attention. The ability to speak and present well in public is important. Ask others for their opinion. Get involved with organizations that support the niches you are targeting. Make your job much more than just your paycheck. Don't be so serious that you cannot laugh or enjoy what you do. Celebrate and share success.
Katz & Associates
4250 Executive Square, Suite 670, San Diego
(858) 452-0031
www.katzandassociates.com