Joel Johnson is a Partner at FGS Global, with over two decades of legislative and communications experience. Joel heads a team of professionals who specialize in crafting and implementing legislative strategy, working in tandem with the firm’s Public Affairs Division, advertising and crisis management teams.
Prior to joining the firm, Joel founded The Harbour Group in 2001 and built an impressive portfolio of private and public clients worldwide. A veteran of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, Joel’s distinguished career extends to the corridors of Capitol Hill and the White House. Prior to founding The Harbour Group, Joel completed his appointment as President Clinton’s Senior Advisor for Policy and Communications. In this capacity, he was charged with coordinating the message and communications strategies designed to promote the Administration’s legislative and policy goals. As a member of the President’s team of core advisors, his responsibilities required an intensive working knowledge of the machinery of government and media at the highest levels.
Joel has extensive experience in public policy and strategic communications on Capitol Hill. When Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was elected Democratic Leader in 1994, Joel was appointed Staff Director for the Senate Democratic Leadership, serving as Daschle’s chief legislative and communications advisor for five years. Previously, he served the House Democratic Leadership as Executive Director of the Democratic Study Group, held senior staff positions on the Senate Labor and Human Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was Chief of Staff to Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum of Ohio.