We’re pleased to announce a new addition to the Werth team: Political veteran Jason Knox is our new Vice President of Federal and State Public Affairs, providing public relations strategy to help clients and lobbying teams navigate the complexities of the Ohio Statehouse and Washington, D.C.
Jason spent more than a decade on U.S. Senator Rob Portman’s Ohio team, most recently as Central Ohio District Director. Through his experience and his extensive network of government, business and civic contacts, Jason expands the depth and breadth of Werth’s ability to help clients solve problems and seize opportunities. To a team already well positioned for local and state public affairs work, he adds significant capability at the federal level.
Jason has deep insight into the needs and priorities of businesses already in Ohio as well as those who seek to do business here. He was a key member of Senator Portman’s on-the-ground team that worked to secure Intel’s decision to invest at least $20 billion in a semiconductor manufacturing facility in New Albany.
His efforts to advance Senator Portman’s priorities in Ohio also included extensive work to combat the opioid epidemic, reduce human trafficking, protect the environment of the Great Lakes and safeguard the interests of veterans — work that depended on developing consensus and deploying it to mobilize support, both at the grassroots and in centers of power.
Jason brings to Werth a reputation for integrity and relationship building, paired with a deeply informed understanding of the issues facing organizations today. Clients will benefit from his skill at building and managing coalitions based on common interests. He helps leverage those common interests to craft effective messages, targeted to the audiences best positioned to impact clients’ interests positively.
As a lifelong central Ohioan and Ohio State University graduate in political science and government, Jason has a solid understanding of the region and its culture. In his work for Senator Portman, he interacted with leaders of businesses from the largest corporations to venture-capital-based startups, developing a unique perspective on the regional economy and how public-private partnerships can drive it forward.
That combination of skills, experience and personality have earned Jason the high regard of those on all sides of the issues on which he has worked, even in an especially contentious political era. We’re delighted to have Jason on our team to represent clients with the same dexterity and commitment.
We look forward to introducing you to Jason in the days ahead.