Cornerstone, a leading bipartisan government relations and public affairs firm, announced today the expansion of the firm’s public affairs practice with the addition of Mike Reed, Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee (RNC). With years of experience in political and strategic communications at the federal and state levels, Reed will assist public affairs clients with crafting targeted and effective messaging strategies to relevant stakeholders.
Acting as RNC Chief of Staff, Reed oversaw the digital, data, fundraising, political, legal and communications departments of the RNC, among others. He led a team that delivered historic victories for the Republican Party, including winning back the House of Representatives in 2022 and countless Senate, House, Gubernatorial and down-ballot races across the country. Reed directed numerous successful political initiatives and targeted campaigns that garnered major national news attention.
Today’s news follows Cornerstone’s announcement in November 2023 of the hiring of Hyma Moore, the DNC Chair’s former Chief of Staff. Coupled with the firm’s state presence in twelve states, including key national players Iowa and New Hampshire, Reed and Moore bring Cornerstone clients access to a comprehensive network of relationships to help them achieve their policy objectives.
“Adding Mike to the team is obviously a huge development for the firm, and I couldn’t be happier he is joining us,” Cornerstone President Campbell Kaufman said. “I’ve known him for several years and feel strongly he will provide our clients a unique perspective on how to create messages for the goals of our current and future clients.”
Kaufman continued, “As a bipartisan strategic communications practice, we are thrilled to now have the two past chiefs of staff at both the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee in Mike Reed and Hyma Moore, respectively. We believe that coupling them with our existing public affairs professionals – who have deep experience in politics, official offices, media and corporate communications shops – positions our firm as a leader in helping organizations navigate the choppy waters at the intersection of politics, policy and perception.”
Previously, Reed served as the RNC’s Deputy Chief of Staff from 2021-2022, as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications from 2017-2020, where he led a department charged with formulating communications and research strategy for the entire Republican Party, including directing national public affairs campaigns fighting for the passage of major pieces of legislation along with confirmations of Supreme Court justices and White House cabinet officials. In this capacity, he coordinated with senior White House officials, Congressional leadership and other major stakeholders on public relations messaging and strategies to deliver to national and local news reporters, and served as an on-the-record spokesperson for the Republican Party.
“I am incredibly excited to join the Cornerstone team,” Reed said. “I first got to know Cornerstone a decade ago while working for the Governor’s Office in Louisiana and have always been so impressed by the firm’s expertise, professionalism, culture, and the amazing operation they have assembled. I am so thrilled to join the D.C. office and bring my skillset of managing high profile public affairs challenges at both the federal and state level to Cornerstone clients.”
Prior to his career at the RNC, Reed served as Communications Director for former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal from 2013-2016, where he developed and implemented the Governor’s communications strategy and oversaw public relations outreach for multiple state agencies, including significant policy and legislative initiatives, and crisis response during times of disasters. He also possesses experience working for several previous political campaigns, where he worked closely on advertising and policy research.
Reed received his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, New York.