Jay Parmer
Jay Parmer brings more than twenty-five years experience in politics, public service and corporate public affairs to the clients of American Strategies. The clients of the firm range from local businesses to Fortune 500 Companies, representing industries such as health care, real estate development, insurance and emerging technologies.
Parmer served at the Agency for International Development during the Reagan Administration, where he directed programs to support U.S. companies and nongovernmental organizations operating in developing countries. He later served on the White House Staff as Special Assistant to President George H.W. Bush. At the White House, he participated in the planning and implementation of media and public relations strategies for numerous federal initiatives.
In 1992, Parmer established a public affairs consulting practice, focusing on state and federal government relations. He has been a registered lobbyist during the last eight regular sessions of the Nevada Legislature, and represents numerous clients with regulatory issues at the state and local levels. Parmer is also a recognized expert in grassroots communications strategies impacting local, state and national issues, including environmental policy, land use planning, healthcare, telecommunications and taxation.
Parmer is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, and has participated in continuing education studies at Georgetown University and the University of Nevada. He served on the Nevada Commission on Mineral Resources from 2001 to 2005, and served on the National Park System Advisory Board from 2002 through 2008. He and his wife, Ardis, have four children and reside in Reno, Nevada.
Richard Klemp
Richard Klemp is a veteran public affairs professional with more than 30 years of experience in federal, state and local government affairs with corporations, trade associations and the media. Richard has direct lobbied in 31 states, managed 15 ballot measure campaigns in nine states, and has had overall responsibility for 50-state government relations programs that included both legislative and regulatory affairs.
Most recently, Richard served as Vice President of Government Relations for Penn National Gaming, and prior to that position he was Vice President of Government Relations for Harrah's Entertainment, now known as Caesars Entertainment.
Before joining the gaming industry, Richard was at the Miller Brewing Company, where he held the positions of Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Director of Government Relations, Manager of Government Affairs Field Operations and Regional Government Affairs Manager. Prior to joining Miller, Richard was the Legislative Director for the Glass Packaging Institute, the national trade association for the glass container manufacturing industry, based in Washington, DC.
On the federal level, Richard served as press secretary and legislative aide to California Congressman Jim Lloyd, and was the chief municipal affairs and political reporter for the San Gabriel Valley (CA) Tribune, a 100,000-circulation daily newspaper in eastern Los Angeles County.
Richard earned his Masters and Bachelors Degrees in Journalism from UCLA and California State University, Northridge. He is a native of Santa Monica, CA and currently resides in Colorado Springs, CO.
David C. O'Mara
David C. O'Mara, Esq., is a native of Reno, Nevada, David O’Mara received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. David began his career as a legislative aide to Congressman Jim Gibbons, handling issues including natural resources, taxation, and staffing the Congressional Mining Conference.
O’Mara earned his Juris Doctor degree, with a Government Affairs Certificate, from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. While at McGeorge, he participated in the drafting and passage of California Senate Bill 1423, the landmark California Victims Compensation Act.
Following law school, O’Mara served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Steven Kosach of the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada. He also served as Law Clerk with the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington DC, an Article I Court with jurisdiction over claims against the United States Government.
In 2004, O’Mara served as Legal Counsel for the Nevada Republican Party, where he directed legal teams and coordinated fair and open litigation actions surrounding the 2004 general election.
O’Mara is a partner in the O’Mara Law Firm in Reno, Nevada. He is admitted to the State Bar of Nevada and licensed to practice before United States Court of Federal Claims. He is a member of the Washoe County Bar Association, the State Bar of Nevada and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association.
Jeff Blanton
Jeff Blanton, Communications Specialist, is highly skilled at marketing communications and desktop publishing. With more than 10 years experience in marketing and design, Blanton has successfully developed marketing plans that brought positive results as well as designing award winning creative.
Blanton’s experience comes from working with a wide range of clients. From developers to government entities to small businesses, Blanton has been able to effectively develop and implement marketing plans and creative materials that successfully communicate the client’s messages.
Blanton spent seven years working for one the Northwest’s largest marketing communications firms. While working in the Northwest he sharpened his creative and marketing skills. Blanton won several awards for his work with the union trades and Oregon’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program.
Jeff Blanton graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in journalism. He is currently a board member for the Nevada Discovery Museum and is part of the marketing and exhibit committees.