Senior strategists for the industries California regulates most.

Paul Vizcaíno is a nationally recognized public affairs strategist and government relations executive who advises leading developers, corporations, investors, insurers, and public institutions on navigating complex political and regulatory environments. As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Strategy Group (USG), he leads an advisory firm specializing in strategic development, government relations, stakeholder engagement, and communications strategy for high-profile public and private initiatives across North America and Europe.

With more than 25 years of experience, Paul works at the intersection of policy, capital, and community, helping clients secure entitlements and regulatory approvals, align public and private stakeholders, build lasting coalitions, and advance multibillion-dollar hospitality, luxury real estate, mixed-use, infrastructure, energy, water, transportation, and civic development projects, including complex public-private partnerships. His expertise is frequently sought in regulated and capital-intensive sectors where political dynamics and public trust directly shape enterprise value. That work extends to the insurance industry, where he represents and advises leading carriers and trade associations on the regulatory, legislative, and public affairs challenges that shape their markets.

His client portfolio spans Fortune 500 companies, institutional investors, developers, insurers, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and has included Live Nation, Airbnb, Red Bull, Adidas, Bulgari, Guess, Postmates, Wasserman, AT&T, Related Companies, Jacobs Engineering, Waste Management, the California Waste & Recycling Association, Ware Disposal, the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the State of California. In Los Angeles, he has advised the developers and operators behind some of the region's most prominent hospitality and luxury real estate projects, including Soho House, The NoMad Hotel, Freehand Hotel, Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Fairmont Century Plaza, and the Malibu Institute. Paul also holds leadership and advisory roles with industry political action committees across the sectors he serves.

Paul's career began in civil rights and public policy at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), where he supported senior leadership and litigation strategy. He later served as National Director of Development for the United Farm Workers (UFW), leading national fundraising strategy and helping shape the UFW Foundation. His public-sector leadership includes serving as Director of Community Affairs for a Los Angeles City Councilmember and receiving mayoral appointments to the City of Los Angeles Quality and Productivity Commission and the Rent Adjustment Commission. He has also played strategic roles in federal, state, and international political campaigns, contributing to major electoral efforts in the United States and Canada.

Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with honors, from the University of California, Berkeley. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

David Meraz has worked in California politics and public policy since 2012. For more than eight years, he has represented insurance companies in Sacramento, advocating for their priorities before the Legislature, regulators, and state agencies. As founder of Pacific Cove Strategies, he advises corporate clients on legislative and regulatory strategy, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement at the state, county, and local levels.

Beyond the Capitol, David represents technology and business clients before city councils and municipal agencies, tracks and advocates on state housing and land-use legislation, and helps clients secure county-level funding and policy support. He also leads stakeholder and community engagement on major California water infrastructure projects, including the Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Project. On those projects he partners with public agencies and global engineering firms such as Jacobs Engineering to build public support and keep complex work moving forward.

David has advised and managed more than 45 campaigns across California. That experience gives him a practical understanding of how elected officials make decisions, how coalitions form, and how policy moves from proposal to passage. He has built lasting relationships with legislators, local officials, labor leaders, community organizations, and business leaders throughout the state, and he uses those relationships to help clients get their priorities in front of the right decision-makers.

David holds a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Northridge.

Vanessa Martinez Ruiz brings experience in government relations, legislative advocacy, public affairs, and community engagement. With a professional background spanning the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, she possesses a strong understanding of government operations, legislative processes, stakeholder relations, and public policy.

In her current role, Vanessa supports legislative advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of a local school district, working to advance priorities related to education funding, legislative policy, and long-term district sustainability. Her responsibilities include monitoring state legislation, coordinating meetings with elected officials and legislative staff, researching policy developments, and supporting advocacy strategies that align with the district's goals and needs.

Vanessa also brings extensive experience in constituent services, strategic communications, and community outreach. She is skilled in building relationships with government agencies, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders. Her combined experience in government operations, legislative advocacy, and community relations allows her to effectively navigate public policy issues, strengthen partnerships, and support client objectives.