Jack O'Donnell (lobbyist)
Jack O'Donnell (born September 23, 1974) is the Managing Partner of the New York State lobbying firm, O'Donnell & Associates, a solutions-focused government relations firm providing advice, counsel, and public affairs and government relations services to New York’s most successful leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, and activists.
Career
O’Donnell’s experience in government includes serving in senior positions for United States Senator Chuck Schumer and as a Senior Policy Advisor to the State Comptroller. Politically, Jack has provided strategic advice and field and communications counsel to campaigns for former President Bill Clinton, United States Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer, current New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and former New York Governors Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson, as well as numerous statewide and congressional campaigns.
O’Donnell uses his experience developed throughout a career working in government and campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels to develop and lead strategies for a diverse clientele including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, biotech start-ups, and labor unions.
Jack has been described as "immensely talented" and a "world class politico" by Senator Schumer, as well as being distinguished by Buffalo's Business First and Albany's The Capitol as a rising leader receiving both of their prestigious "40 under 40" awards. Jack was also named among the 2019 Political Consultants Power 50 by City and State.
Jack spent a decade learning the trade as a partner at one of New York State’s largest lobbying firms, leaving to establish a boutique, client-centrist practice focused on offering clients the highest level of service and delivering results. In 2019, O’Donnell founded O'Donnell & Associates LLC, a solutions-based government relations firm that provides advice, counsel, and direction to New York’s most successful leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, and activists. As Managing Partner, O’Donnell has helped clients pass—and stop—legislation, solve complex regulatory matters, craft multi-million-dollar economic development packages, and win state awards and grants including multi-billion-dollar procurements.
He is the founder of Transplant Miracles Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides support to transplant recipients; he is a former board member of Upstate New York Transplant Services (UNYTS) and Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepers, and currently a trustee of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. O’Donnell is also a former adjunct faculty member at Canisius College.
A regular contributor to political programming on both radio and television, Jack's insights and analysis have appeared in The New York Times, Politico, the Buffalo News, Newsmax, Spectrum News , NY1, and other leading media organizations.
Book
Jack is the author of Bitten by the Tiger, the True Story of Impeachment, the Governor, & Tammany Hall. The book details one of the biggest news stories of 1913: the rise, achievement and fall of William Sulzer, the first and only governor of New York to be impeached. Using of transcripts from Sulzer's impeachment trial as well as other first-hand hand accounts, O'Donnell offers the reader the true story behind William Sulzer, as well as others who took part in these events. The New York Times’ Sam Roberts, said, "Mr. O’Donnell, who as an Albany lobbyist is thoroughly familiar with power-brokering in New York, minces no words"..."The saga of Gov. William Sulzer’s impeachment a century ago cannot be told often enough, both as an object lesson and as urban melodrama. Jack O’Donnell’s “Bitten by the Tiger” is a welcome addition to the growing genre."
O’Donnell is also the author of the award-winning weekly newsletter, Monday Morning Memo. Each week, O’Donnell provides insight for the week ahead as well as a look back into what happened in New York government the week before. He is also the host of the podcast, On The Record with O’Donnell. [link to come]
Early Life and Education
Jack is the son of John O'Donnell, a New York State Supreme Court Justice, and Denise O'Donnell, attorney and Director of Justice Assistance at the US Department of Justice under the Obama Administration.
He is a graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Canisius College and the University at Buffalo Law School. Jack, his wife Marina, and their children Thomas and Elsie, divide their time between Buffalo and New York City.
References
1. ^ "Home". O'Donnell and Associates. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
2. ^ "Jack O'Donnell". Bolton St. Johns. Bolton St. Johns. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
3. ^ "About Jack O'Donnell". Bitten by the Tiger by Jack O'Donnell. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
4. ^ a_henning (2019-07-28). "The 2019 Political Consultants Power 50; 6 - 50". CSNY. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
5. ^ Roberts, Sam. "Urban Melodrama". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved 23 September 2014.