A key member of the Policy Impact team, Ambassador Carlson has a long distinguished career in the media, government service, and diplomacy. He served as U.S. Ambassador to the Seychelles, the director-general of Voice of America, and the President and CEO of both the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and King World Public Television.

Carlson is an experienced diplomat. As the Voice of America director he led official U.S. delegations to the Soviet Union, People’s Republic of China, and other countries. He also has testified numerous times before congressional committees and before both the British House of Commons and the Israeli Knesset. He has been an advisor to the Institute for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence in Washington, D.C., founded by Buck Revel, former assistant director of the FBI in charge of counter terrorism, and R. James Woolsey, former CIA director.

Carlson has been a writer for Time and Look magazines, as well as a correspondent for ABC-TV. He has won three Hollywood Emmys, four Golden Mike Awards, and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award.

A skilled government and public affairs consultant, Bart Marcois joins Policy Impact with a rich background of over 20 years advising officials and governments, managing strategic programs, and implementing campaigns on a variety of issues. Most recently, as President of the Eagle Foundation, he coordinated widespread grassroots efforts across multiple states in support of key initiatives. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of RJI Capital Corporation, where he conducted intelligence and analysis to advise corporate and government leaders, and managed national government and public relations.

Mr. Marcois worked as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, managing a multi-million-dollar budget and the enactment of new policy. He also acted as public affairs advisor to the government of Kuwait for four years, which involved implementing nationwide educational campaigns, targeted grassroots programs, and advertising and media strategies. Over his tenure he helped to craft legislation and worked with congressional allies, facilitating political consensus and positive international relations. His international expertise was honed over 10 years as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. As a Vice President at Policy Impact, Mr. Marcois offers a seasoned approach critical to executing complex projects and delivering on client objectives.

Behzad Tabatabaei, as an International Political Economist, possesses the unique combination of academic know-how coupled with executive management experience. He has a doctorate in International Political Economy and Public Policy from the University of Southern California. Dr. Tabatabaei has the in-depth academic training and analytical skills to provide critical insights and expertise in multiple key areas. These include macroeconomic analysis, risk assessment, efficient resource allocation, formulating revenue-enhancing business plans, institutional challenges of developing economies, counterterrorism strategies, and the formulation and implementation of effective public policy.

Dr. Tabatabaei’s executive management experiences with print and broadcast media have honed an intimate understanding of image promotion, targeted marketing, and effective communication strategies. He has lectured on satellite television numerous times on building civil societies in emerging democracies and socio-economic and geo-political conditions of the developing world.

A seasoned international business consultant with an understanding of both the Oriental and Occidental mindsets, Dr. Tabatabaei has access to high levels of government in Central Asia, with senior contacts in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. These relationships have contributed to his ability to communicate effectively across cultural divides.

Monte Ward has over 15 years of success in government affairs, including service on Capitol Hill, trade association representation, active Washington lobbying for the non-profit and the business communities, and political fundraising for members of Congress and political action committees.

As the House Appropriations Committee staffer for two members of Congress, Mr. Ward gained an in-depth knowledge of the appropriations and funding processes, developing legislative agendas for a number of issues including defense, education, science and space, banking, labor, immigration, budget, international affairs, transportation, technology, taxes and trade. He later served as Vice President of Federal Affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, responsible for all of the association’s federal legislative affairs, management of the D.C. office with a budget of $1.1 million, and administration of its political action committee (PAC) with annual revenuesjust under $400,000. He was also responsible for development of grassroots advocacy and member company relations.

Robert J. Curran is a Vice President and director of the Defense marketing sector of Policy Impact Communications. Mr. Curran will oversee PIC’s entry into the Defense and Home Land Security business sector.

Since retirement after 20 years of service with the US Army, Mr. Curran has been affiliated with several different companies that worked in multi-function logistics; Base Realignment and Closure; Soldier Survivability systems; Project and Program Management; Command , Control and Communications; and business development for foreign firms entering the US defense market. Most recently he has been involved in advising high technology and service industry companies in the creation of marketing strategies, development of formal proposals related to the acquisition and execution of both government and private sector contracts, program implementation, and direct marketing to both commercial and governmental customers.

Mr. Curran received his Bachelor of Sciences degree from the United States Military Academy. He has also received a Masters of Science in Systems Management from USC and a Masters in the Military Arts and Sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff College while attending the School for Advanced Military Studies.

Benjamin D. May is the COO and corporate counsel for Policy Impact Communications. Mr. May oversees all administrative and legal concerns for Policy Impact, including advising on lobby and election law issues; drafting and reviewing contracts and letters of intent; and managing the firms lobbying and Foreign Agent Registration Act disclosures. He also monitors pending legislation and rulemaking on issues affecting Policy Impact’s clients.

In addition to his legal experience with Policy Impact, Mr. May worked with Thomson West developing new Westlaw products; the Department of Justice in the Executive Office of Immigration Review; the Department of Labor in the Employment and Training Administration; Utah State Department of Commerce Division of Securities; and the Syracuse University College of Law Securities Arbitration and Consumer Law Clinic.

Mr. May received his Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law. He received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, and a Certificate in Criminology and Corrections from the University of Utah.

Mr. May is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and the Virginia State Bar.

Leonardo Bodmer is a key project stakeholder with a strong strategic and creative voice and over 13 years of experience in the advertising and design industry. Mr. Bodmer is responsible for conceptual development, client relations, and the execution of cutting-edge print, web, interactive and video solutions. Mr. Bodmer leads, manages and mentors the creative team and inspires them to constantly strive for excellence in the work they produce.

Before joining Policy Impact, Leonardo was part of the Discovery Creative team and provided print, trade show, packaging, and web solutions for many of Discovery’s networks, including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Health, and Military Channel. Mr. Bodmer’s background includes fine arts, illustration, photography, filming, video production, video editing, and motion graphics.

Rob Davis comes to Policy Impact with a background in business marketing and management. He has extensive experience in the events and hospitality industry. Prior to joining Policy Impact, he worked at properties such as Sundance Resort and the Grand America Hotel planning, coordinating and executing events ranging from political fundraisers to summit meetings to large scale company mergers. He has vast experience in the conceptual stages, promotion, and execution of programs on multiple levels.

Mr. Davis is skilled in diverse marketing media, including creative direction, development, and post-production aspects of videography and photography. His marketing proficiency offers the ability to promote products and ideas with a targeted message and campaign to effectively accomplish objectives.

Yolanda Taylor is key to the success of Policy Impact. As Director of Planning and Operations, she brings a career of management expertise honed as a protégé of Dr. Steven Covey, a world leader in business processes. Building relationships of trust with clients and then meeting their highest expectations is what Yolanda does best.

Prior to joining Policy Impact, she worked at Franklin Covey—a global consulting and training leader in the areas of strategy, execution, customer loyalty, leadership, and individual effectiveness. Her work is based on those principles, and she brings a strong passion to everything she does, architecting win-win solutions and delivering blue chip results.

Yolanda oversees all operations, administration, and project management. She is a key stakeholder in strategy and execution of Policy Impact’s vision. Her excellent communication and organization skills, along with a keen eye for detail, make Yolanda an invaluable addition to the Policy Impact family.