Who We Are

Mission Statement

Denny Civic Solutions Mission Statement

“Helping Underdogs Achieve Really Great Things,”

It’s that simple, and that strong. Everyday we come to work dedicating ourselves to helping the voiceless win.

Whether its advancing paid family medical leave, assuring that teenagers with disabilities can work in integrated settings at competitive wages, passaging legislation to help mom’s suffering postpardum depression, getting public funding specifically to mentor children of incarcerated parents, or nurse practitioners full practice authority, nothing excites us more than the opportunity to change hearts and minds on issues impacting those we serve . . . our clients!.

Denny Civic Solutions Philosophy

A word on our company’s philosophy — or “the way we do things around here.” There are four overriding parts of our company’s philosophy:

Integrity First

The backbone of our firm is integrity — in our work, the only thing you have is your reputation.

Live It

Thoroughly understand the issue, the environment, the audience, the team, and the timing. Become an ingrained part of the team.

Give More Than You Get

Civic campaigns almost always require 24/7 attention and focus. We don’t stop working at 5:00. With Denny Civic Solutions, you can count on us to be there.

Always Act with a Sense of Urgency

Civic campaigns may not have a definitive start date, but they always have an end date when success or failure will be determined. We bring a sense of urgency to all that we do.

Denny Civic Solutions Philosophy

A word on our company’s philosophy — or “the way we do things around here.” There are four overriding parts of our company’s philosophy:

Integrity First

The backbone of our firm is integrity — in our work, the only thing you have is your reputation.

Live It

Thoroughly understand the issue, the environment, the audience, the team, and the timing. Become an ingrained part of the team.

Give More Than You Get

Civic campaigns almost always require 24/7 attention and focus. We don’t stop working at 5:00. With Denny Civic Solutions, you can count on us to be there.

Always Act with a Sense of Urgency

Civic campaigns may not have a definitive start date, but they always have an end date when success or failure will be determined. We bring a sense of urgency to all that we do.

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Meet the Team

Introduce visitors to the people who drive your company’s success.

About John

If you want to learn all the formal stuff about who I worked for, where I went to school, and where I live, click here. But if you want to actually know more about me, it’s probably better to tell you what I believe.First, I believe I’m younger than I really am, but that’s neither here nor there.. Second, I believe in working really hard with a sense of urgency, but I also believe in not letting the perfect become the enemy of the good.

I believe in bringing as many viewpoints to the table as possible. I also believe that common ground can be found on most things - if you are intentional about it. I also believe that humor is the great equalizer. Finally, and most importantly, I know that I don’t know everything,and never will. That’s why I always start every project with time to “listen and learn.”

I also have the best wife and three adult children in the world (most of the time.) And if you ever need to find me on a fall Sunday, I can tell you where I’ll be:section 525, Row C, Seat 25, Heinz Field.

About Charlie

When I’m not busy reminding John that he’s not, in fact, younger than he thinks, I spend my time developing and managing coalitions, writing strategic plans, working directly with clients, coordinating logistics for grassroots advocacy actions, and standing in the backs of group pictures in the Capitol Building.

Many of the projects nearest and dearest to my heart are those related to mental and physical health (and often, where those two intersect). For one, I serve as the campaign lead for the #StrongMomStrongBaby coalition, a statewide initiative to improve the health of infants and mothers affected by postpartum depression. I’ve also worked with clients to develop civic campaigns promoting early intervention programs for people experiencing early symptoms of psychosis, as well as essential programming and resources for young people with disabilities.

As Vice President, I’m also responsible for managing DCS’ human resources policies, overseeing our public policy internship program, and copy-editing John’s “About Me” entry.

Cassie Rusnak

Digital and Social Media Strategist

About Cassie

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Donna Malpezzi

Sr. Policy Consultant, DMMConsulting

About Donna

How We Do Things

Here at Denny Civic Solutions, we believe that the old government relations approach of “hire an expensive lobbyist and forget about it” simply doesn’t cut it anymore (and never really did).

We develop and manage civic campaigns - that means much more than lobbying, advertising, public relations, public affairs, or building grassroots coalitions. It’s all of this, and more.

All successful campaigns start from the same position — with the end in mind. We’ve helped a whole range of clients develop and implement civic campaigns, including:

Nonprofit organizations trying to change or pass a new law to help their constituents
Public agencies or authorities trying to gain the support of the consumers they serveFor-profit companies seeking regulatory relief.
Local governments seeking additional local control on tax, zoning, planning and other issues

Whether we are fighting for or against something, working to raise awareness or gaining public support, we follow sound principles and guidelines. Those are laid out below, using our successful effort to rename the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare as an example:.

Start with a working Hypothesis or idea to address the problem and/or opportunity at hand. For example, “The word welfare has taken on a negative connotation and is impacting funding for human services, the people who require human services, and providers who deliver human services,”.”
Conduct thorough research on the hypothesis that will allow for sound, informed strategic decision-making. For example, “Based on research, people are more empathetic toward, can better relate to,and are willing to pay more for human services as opposed to welfare.
Do the market research to make sure you have a good idea where decision makers are likely to stand. . For example, “which legislators have a deep understanding of our state’s human services programs, and know firsthand that it’s not welfare?”“
Begin building consensus on a well-researched proposal with key decision makers and influencers.“It’s time to take our proposal to change the name of the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Human Services to potential coalition partners, decision makers, and key influencers to get their feedback and begin gaining their support. ”
Build the organization and recruit the right leadership — Civic campaigns don’t happen on their own. Successful campaigns require a balance of professionals with strong organizational, research, political, and legislative skills. But above all, successful campaigns require strong civic leadership. “We need to identify and recruit the most trustworthy, influential civic leader(s) with credibility on this particular issue. Let’s identify those who have a strong connection to our human services system and the desire to make change..”
Game On! — Time for public advocacy (which is at the heart of all civic campaigns), bringing all of the key elements together as one to move public opinion.“Let’s launch our coalition’s “Name Change” campaign with a strong message. Let’s share that message through statewide earned media, direct mail and digital media. Let’s launch our grassroots coalition efforts, draft the legislation, and work to enlist legislative champions.”
Be Ready to Win, which means be ready to implement the policy change you are campaigning for or against. Even when the final vote is taken, many details are left to be resolved. You don’t want to win the battle and lose the war because you either weren’t ready to implement the proposal or someone else (like an opponent) was ready to do so in a timely fashion. “Here is a new logo design for the new name, proposed timing for introduction, and a cost-neutral way to do so.”.”

Finally, our team understands the challenges that impact civic campaigns, including time. Timing is everything. Some campaigns have a definitive start and end date when success or failure will be known. For others, the start and end date is not always as clear. But a sense of urgency is always required.

Regardless of the challenges you face, Denny Civic Solutions has the expertise to keep your initiative “top-of-mind” among the people that matter. By starting with the end in mind and following specific principles, a winning campaign is within reach.