Management Team

Walter Clinton

Chairman and CEO

Walter (Wally) has been involved in political campaigns, utilizing telephones and other communication mediums for over 40 years.  His successes and involvement has reached over 48 states, South and Central America, Canada and Mexico.  Wally developed TCG’s 4-phase voter contact program that revolutionized the way telephones are utilized in campaigns.  His experience and knowledge are evident in every program and campaign The Clinton Group conducts.  Wally also owns a successful teleservices company providing surveying, market research and polling services. He has been on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Political Consultants, Vice President of International Association for Practical Politics, and is a Member of the International Association of Political Consultants.  He is a frequent lecturer on the subject of Political Campaigns and has spoken both domestically (George Washington University, American University, University of New Orleans, University of North Carolina and Florida International University) and internationally (Republic of Georgia in the Former Soviet Union, Central and South America).

Wayne R. Blanchard

President and COO

Wayne brings years of experience and knowledge in delivering quality customer service programs.   He holds a Bachelors Degree in Marketing and Finance and a Masters in Public Administration from Northeastern University, Boston, MA.   Wayne has extensive experience in information technology, operational processing, project management, communications, business process re-engineering and political consulting.  He has demonstrated success in managing large domestic and international development initiatives in the North American banking industry.  Wayne has created a customer service oriented culture at TCG that has resulted a significant increase in client testimonials received over the past 6 years.  He is a member of the American Association of Political Consultants, Public Affairs Council, American Telesales Association, and Direct Marketing Association.

wblanchard[at]theclintongroup[dot]com

Steve Zuppas

Chief Financial Officer B.S, C.P.A.

Steve Zuppas is responsible for all day-to-day financial activities, detailed financial reporting, fiscal planning, tax planning, budgeting, and internal auditing functions. As an executive committee member, he is involved in all short term and long term strategic planning decisions and their implementation.

Donna Wainwright

Director of Client Services and Call Center Operations

Donna is a demonstrated success and extensive hands-on experience in customer service, sales, quality control, employee relations, and operational processes.  Her previous industry experience includes Health Care, Communications, Cable, Satellite, and general Call Center management.  Donna has proven skills in client management, meeting expectations, managing electoral and legislative based initiatives, message and script development, list targeting and segmentation, and statistical analysis.  She has handled numerous political, grassroots and commercial programs utilizing all communication mediums (e.g. telephone, mail, email, and fax).  Donna also has an avid interest in environmental issues and really enjoys working on initiatives that better our environment.

dwainwright[at]theclintongroup[dot]com

Raci Ulusoy

Director of IT

Raci has a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida where he specialized in Telecommunications and taught undergraduate Engineering and Mathematics courses.  Prior to joining TCG, Raci worked as Software Designer and Database Manager.  Raci manages and oversees the operation of the Information Technology (IT) Department at TCG.  His department's responsibilities include planning, operations and maintenance of the technical and data infrastructure necessary to support TCG's on-going and future business needs.

rulusoy[at]theclintongroup[dot]com   

Erik Petzel

Senior Associate

Erik Petzel is involved with new business development in the areas of candidate and issue advocacy campaigns.  Prior to his work with The Clinton Group, Erik was involved with political fundraising efforts and grassroots organizing for the 2004 presidential elections in his home state of Minnesota. He credits his experience on Sen. Paul Wellstone’s reelection campaign in 2002 for inspiring his commitment to politics.

Erik is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and completed his undergraduate education at Connecticut College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in both History and Government. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife Jenny.

epetzel[at]theclintongroup[dot]com  

Gaurav Parikh

Political Affairs

Gaurav Parikh is an experienced political business leader who has developed an extensive knowledge base for both political campaigns and issue advocacy. Gaurav moved to Washington, DC from Orange County, CA to pursue a career in Democratic politics and since 2005 has been advising Fortune 500 corporations, national not-for-profit organizations, and political campaigns on grassroots, grasstops, PAC management, legislative issue management, indirect and direct lobbying, political fundraising and political placement.

Gaurav works with new and existing TCG clients to develop and implement strategic programs to further their political needs. Gaurav also serves as part of the new buisness development team in identifying and reaching out to prospective TCG clients.

Gaurav graduated from California State Polytechnic University Pomona with a degree in Political Science and Economics. He currently lives in downtown Washington, DC.

gaurav[at]theclintongroup[dot]com


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