National Public Affairs (NPA), a top political consulting firm based in Virginia, announced major expansion plans to add senior staff and bolster client services, even as other firms downsize following a federal election year.
NPA is adding political professionals and increasing service offerings to include more in-house media production, digital products, fundraising, polling and communications.
New hires include Nick Trainer as Vice President of Political Strategy; Tom Dickens as Vice President of Creative Production; Mike Hahn as Vice President of Digital Strategy; and Tim Murtaugh as Vice President of Communication Strategy.
Founding partners Bill Stepien, Justin Clark and Sean Dollman, in their announcement of the new hires, praised the group’s combined experience in winning campaign management and messaging, noting that the expansion would provide clients with a full suite of options for candidates, issue advocacy organizations and private companies, while continuing to provide the same strategic and media consulting clients have come to expect from the firm.
“NPA has built a reputation as a serious firm that wins, and we are growing to become one of the only places clients can turn to find every ingredient required for victory under one roof,” Stepien said. “For strategic campaign management, advertising production, polling, digital products, and communications, NPA has the experience, track record, and firepower necessary to win campaigns and the battle of ideas. We now have the capability to coordinate every aspect of a client’s campaign under one roof, making the strategy and message combine seamlessly across all facets.”
As Vice President of Political Strategy, Trainer will manage a team providing strategic advice and guidance to campaigns, and help them chart a winning course. Trainer previously served in the White House Office of Political Affairs as Director of Regional Political Operations and on former President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign as Director of Delegates and Party Organization, and as Director of Battleground Strategy. He’s also held senior political roles within the Republican National Committee and several state parties.
Dickens will oversee the conception and production of compelling television and radio advertisements in his role as Vice President of Creative Production. Dickens is an award-winning strategist and producer based in Washington D.C. He boasts more than a decade of experience working in local, state and national campaign politics and has served in senior roles in state and federal government. In 2013, he was named a Rising Star in American Politics by Campaign & Elections Magazine.
Hahn previously served as Deputy Digital Director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and as Director of Social Media for Trump’s re-election campaign He has raised more than $100 million online throughout his career and will help NPA expand its online presence.
Through his own communications consulting firm, Murtaugh served several successful candidates in the 2022 cycle, including Rep.-elect Harriet Hageman of Wyoming and Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. Murtaugh previously served as Director of Communications for Trump’s re-election campaign and has held senior roles in presidential, U.S. Senate and House and state-level races through work with the Republican National Committee and Republican Governor’s Association, as well as in state and federal government.
“NPA was a pleasure to work with in 2022 and their growth means they will be able to help even more solid conservatives win elections in state houses, in Congress, and beyond,” said Hageman, an NPA client who beat incumbent Rep. Liz Cheney in the Wyoming Republican Primary by more than 37 points and won the General Election by nearly 45 points. “They are professional, aggressive, and thorough, and they understood the nuances of my state’s political landscape. Their game plan carried our campaign to victory and will do the same for many others in the years ahead. The conservative movement is in good hands with NPA.”
NPA expects to announce further additions to its team in the coming weeks.
