Director, Strategic Communications, Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP

I direct the Strategic Communications practice in Bracewell & Giuliani's Government Relations and Strategy Section (GRAS). As a media and communications specialist, I have achieved numerous media and editorial placements in major media venues. I also provide high-profile communications and presentation training for corporations, trade associations and government officials. I joined Bracewell in 2003 after five-and-a-half years at the Potomac Communications Group, where I headed the PCG's energy and environmental media group and was the firm's top media expert. Prior to joining PCG, I served 10 years on Capitol Hill as senior political, strategic and legislative advisor for U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI). I planned, coordinated and managed all media activities and served as media spokesperson for Mr. Knollenberg and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. I also served as spokesman for U.S. Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY), coordinating all strategic and legislative planning and directing all media relations including spokesman duties for Chairman Rogers’ tenure as head of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce-Justice-State-Judiciary. I maintain important contacts on Capitol Hill, especially with the House Appropriations Committee and the House Republican Leadership. I worked closely with President Bush's re-election team, serving as a outside media advisor on environmental and energy issues. At Hillsdale College, I lettered eight times in cross-country and track. I received an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. My wife and I have three children, and I serve as a high school and college football and ice hockey referee.

The most important thing I learned at Hillsdale was that a well-rounded individual could excel at a number of activities. In life, time management and juggling the activities of the day can be the biggest challenge an individual faces. Looking back, I can see the beginnings of planning, organizing and time management skills that are essential in my life today. Certainly, the educational experiences and people were important to overall excellent environment at Hillsdale, but none of that seems to survive and sustain like the intangible skills the multi-faceted education/life opportunities Hillsdale College provided for me.

Challenge yourself to reach beyond what you think is possible. I would also urge students to balance themselves in a number of activities. In the end, that will make you a better person.

You are not going to believe this, but it had very little to do with Hillsdale as an academic institution. Only later during my four years did I realize what a great opportunity Hillsdale was academically. I first chose Hillsdale because it and coach Bill Lundberg (in his first year) offered me the best track/overall scholarship package.

It is clear Hillsdale provided a strong foundation for my educational and personal skills to succeed after college. But as I stated earlier, the things that I cherish most are the organizational and management skills that I developed while juggling life as a student, athlete, newspaper reporter, radio personality, fraternity brother, community volunteer, orchestra member, etc... These are skills that I use every day in my career that find their beginning in the environment of opportunities that Hillsdale College provided me.

Returning in 2000 to help the College in a time of need and seeing many of the same faces from my college days welcome me back with open arms, broad smiles and their confidence.

frank.maisano@bracewellgiuliani.com