"Ryan and Alia are extraordinary talents," Sachs said. "They are outstanding communications strategists, with the skills and the networks to deliver consistently high-quality results to our clients."

BANFILL, FARAJ-JOHNSON NAMED PARTNERS AT RON SACHS COMMUNICATIONS

May 13, 2010

TALLAHASSEE - Two members of the leadership team at Ron Sachs Communications have been named partners in the firm, which is routinely ranked among the top three independent public relations firms in Florida and one of the top 100 firms nationally.

Ryan Banfill, who has served as a Vice President of the firm since 2005, was named Partner and Senior Vice President. Alia Faraj-Johnson, who joined the firm as a Vice President in 2007, was named Partner and Executive Vice President. They join Michelle Ubben, Chief Operating Officer, as the firm's four partners, along with founder and President and CEO Ron Sachs.

"Ryan and Alia are extraordinary talents," Sachs said. "They are outstanding communications strategists, with the skills and the networks to deliver consistently high-quality results to our clients."

Banfill is a seasoned communications professional with more than two decades of experience in the areas of government, political and association communications; development and promotion of public policy and policymakers; and television production. He has the unique perspective of an Emmy Award-winning television producer; chief speechwriter and press secretary for a governor; and communications lead in the Southeastern U.S. for NFIB, the nation's largest small-business advocacy group. He also has legislative experience with both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. Along with his service to former Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, Banfill has provided counsel to business leaders and lawmakers at the state and federal levels. His special interests include issue and message development, public policy, and electronic media communications.

Faraj-Johnson joined the firm after service to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush as his longest serving communication director. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in media and government communications, Faraj-Johnson served in several capacities in the Bush Administration including Deputy Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of State, chief Division of Emergency Management spokeswoman during two unprecedented hurricane seasons, as well as public affairs director at the Florida Department of Children and Families and Department of Community Affairs. In 2009, Alia was the winner of the national PRNews Legal PR Award for Media Relations during Litigation or Crisis and winner of the 2009 Bronze Bulldog Award for best crisis communications and is an Emmy Award winning television producer. Governor Charlie Crist recently appointed her to a two-year term on the Florida Elections Commission.

"What differentiates Ron Sachs Communications is the depth and experience of our senior management bench," Ubben said. "This announcement reflects our commitment to assembling and maintaining the best professional team in the business."