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The Aluminum Association Hires Strat@comm

17 November 1998

The Aluminum Association Hires Strat@comm for Transportation Expertise; DC-Based Firm to Assist With Education Program

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 -- Strat@comm, a DC-based public affairs
firm announced today it will be working with The Aluminum Association to craft
and execute an education campaign targeted at policy makers and members of the
media. "The Aluminum Association is one of our many clients who recognize
Strat@comm's unique position as the leader on automotive policy issues," said
Ron DeFore, Strat@comm Principal.
    "Strat@comm will be working with The Aluminum Association's Auto and Light
Truck Committee to devise and roll-out an education campaign highlighting the
numerous safety and environmental benefits that aluminum can offer auto makers
as they work to meet consumer demands and government standards," DeFore said.
    "This campaign will call on the expertise Strat@comm has demonstrated with
other outreach programs such as the successful American Automobile
Manufacturers Association's What America Drives, Drives America campaign, and
the Associations Advance America campaign we are currently working on with the
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)," DeFore added.
    The Aluminum Association joins a number of other clients taking advantage
of Strat@comm's transportation experience, including: Chrysler, Ford, General
Motors, AAA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal
Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Woodrow
Wilson Bridge Project and the Association of American Railroads.
    "Clearly our impressive stable of transportation talent has played a major
role in clients choosing Strat@comm to assist with their public affairs
programs," DeFore said.
    Strat@comm employees with past transportation experience include:

    Diane Steed, Principal -- Longest-tenured Administrator of the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    Jeff Conley, Principal -- More than 20 years of transportation public
relations experience having worked with the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors
    Ron DeFore, Principal -- Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public
Affairs at US Dept. of Transportation and Director of Public and Consumer
Affairs at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    Barry McCahill, Senior Counselor -- Longest-tenured head of public affairs
and chief spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
serving under eight Secretaries of Transportation
    John Fitzpatrick, Senior Counselor -- Former Deputy Public Affairs
Director of the Federal Railroad Administration and led communications
operations for the Association of American Railroads.
    John Undeland, Senior Counselor -- Former spokesperson and public affairs
manager for AAA Potomac Club
    John Bagwell, Account Supervisor -- Formerly with the Coalition for
Vehicle Choice
    Les Jackson, Consultant -- Automotive journalist and President Emeritus of
the Washington Automotive Press Association

    Strat@comm is a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm specializing in
consumer, environmental, healthcare and transportation issues.