Why Choose
Hawk Strategies?
Hawk Strategies, LLC, is a full-service consulting firm that provides strategic business consulting, government affairs and marketing services to clients from New England to Florida.
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Hawk Strategies’ business philosophy is to produce top-notch results based on our clients’ goals and business needs. By understanding what a client’s short, mid, and long-term goals are, Hawk Strategies employs our extensive experience and connections to deliver proven results.
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At Hawk Strategies, we utilize our first-rate institutional knowledge, vast network of relationships, and diverse experiences across a range of services to deliver the results our clients deserve. Our strategic thinking and execution are ingrained in all the services we offer and the work we do for our clients. Finally, we pride ourselves on the energy and passion we bring to each and every task.
Anthony Attanasio is an accomplished transportation, external affairs and political consulting professional. His unique body of professional experiences ranges from political campaign management to senior leadership positions at several State Transportation agencies.
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Prior to establishing Hawk Strategies, Anthony most recently served as Vice President & Senior program manager for AECOM, a fortune 200 Company with more than $20 billion in annual revenue. At AECOM, Anthony was part of the NJ leadership team that oversaw all of AECOM’s business lines (transportation, water, power, environment, buildings & places and cultural resources). His specific duties included setting the company’s geopolitical strategy, managing relationships and external affairs with the state’s transportation agencies, elected officials as well as several industry and business associations and the construction industry.
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Before joining AECOM, Anthony spent four years as Executive Director of the Utility & Transportation Contractors Association where he worked on issues ranging from modifying transportation agency contract specifications to advocating for the successful passage of the NJ Transportation Trust Fund Renewal. He managed the Association’s staff and daily operations as well as the transportation and utility subcommittees that interacted with public agencies such as the NJDOT, NJ TRANSIT, NJ Turnpike Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Board of Public Utilities. In addition, Anthony oversaw relationship management and collaboration with peer groups including American Council of Engineering Companies of NJ (ACECNJ), NJ Utility Association (NJUA), NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and many more.
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Anthony spent four years in public service from 2010-2014. After serving one year as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Executive Director at NJ TRANSIT, Anthony was promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Government & Community Relations at the NJ Department of Transportation at the age of 30. As Assistant Commissioner, Anthony led the government & community relations and communications efforts during such events as Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and the closure of the Pulaski Skyway. He managed the Division of Community & Constituent Relations, Communications Office, and the Division of Legislative, Administrative & Regulatory Actions
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Anthony reported directly to the Commissioner of Transportation and often represented the Commissioner at meetings on issues of policy, strategy, communications and public relations, crisis management and political counseling. Anthony maintained the Department of Transportation’s positive relationships with the Congressional delegation, state legislature, county executives, freeholders, mayors, town council members and the community at large. He managed all correspondence for the Department, was responsible for the examination of both state and federal legislation to identify any potential impacts on the Department and the state as well as and adherence of those regulations and coordination with various transportation Authorities.
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Anthony spent the first the first seven years of his career as a political operative working on hundreds of campaigns from the municipal to Presidential level where he was responsible for managing direct contact with millions of voters and managing thousands of volunteers. At just 27 years old, Anthony founded Lincoln Solutions, a full-service general consulting firm which sent almost a million pieces of direct mail and led several difficult campaigns to victory. Anthony is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and the proud father of his son Logan.
Anthony J. Attanasio
Founder & CEO
Prior to that, as Assistant Commissioner, John directed the community relations and public engagement efforts for the Department’s most critical and high-profile projects, including but not limited to: the Pulaski Skyway Rehabilitation, The Direct Connect Interchange Program (the I-295/I-76/Route 42 ), the Route 72 Causeway Rehabilitation, and the once-in-a-lifetime Route 35 Post Superstorm Sandy Rehabilitation Program. These projects represent more than $3 billion in infrastructure investment.
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John’s tenure at NJDOT is most truly defined by his positive relationships with both the career staff and the members of the public he engaged with on behalf of the Department. John will utilize these skills, experiences and relationships to manage the day-to-day processes and interactions with the Department so our clients can focus on doing what they do best: building a better New Jersey.
Before becoming a senior leader at the NJDOT, John served as a Regional Director of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs for Governor Chris Christie.
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Case also had a fruitful career across a diverse spectrum of political campaigns spanning the municipal level to the Presidential. In 2006, he began his political career right out of college working for Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA). By 2007, he held positions on the Giuliani for President campaign and eventually for the Pennsylvania GOP on behalf of the McCain for President campaign where he first met Hawk Strategies President Anthony Attanasio. Following the 2008 election cycle, John took a Political Director position for the successful reelection of NY City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. These experiences in the field in battleground states helped hone John’s skills in strategic planning and execution.
John Case
Vice President
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John Case is a proven transportation, communications, and government relations professional. His career spans the political, public and private sectors, and is marked by success in all three. He recently completed a five-year run at the New Jersey Department of Transportation where he became the Chief of Staff to Commissioner Rick Hammer.
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John’s tenure at the at NJDOT saw his quick ascent from Director of Community Relations, to Assistant Commissioner of Government & Community Relations and finally to Chief of Staff. His promotion to that position by Commissioner Hammer, a 36-year career employee of the NJDOT, speaks volumes of John’s character and abilities. As Chief of Staff, John managed the day to day operations of the Department in coordination with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners. He carried out the policy directives of the Commissioner and Governor’s Administration while continuing to oversee the direction and execution of the community relations, communications and public outreach operations.
Justin Simmons
Senior Associate
Justin Simmons was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and raised in the Lehigh Valley. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 2008. Justin began to pursue his career in state government during his senior year at Saint Joseph’s where he worked as an intern for State Senator Rob Wonderling. After completing his internship, Justin worked part-time as a district legislative aide for Senator Wonderling and was then offered a full-time position where he was responsible for managing the Senator’s Northampton County office. When Senator Wonderling resigned to become CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Senator Mensch was elected to the seat and Justin continued to fulfill these duties.
Justin’s unwavering fervor for politics, public policy and his community ultimately led him to the decision to run for State Representative in his
district in January of 2010. At the age of 23, he went on to win the primary election, and then the general election at the age of 24. His successful elections into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives made him the second youngest individual to ever be sworn into office in the history of the state’s General Assembly. Justin served the 131st legislative district for the next five terms. After serving as State Representative for a decade, Justin made the decision to retire from elected office and enter the private sector at the end of 2020.
Over the course of Justin’s legislative career, he served on eight different House committees. These committees included: Transportation; Urban Affairs (he served as Secretary in the 2011-2012 session); Health (he served as Secretary in the 2013-2014 session); State Government (he served as Subcommittee Chair on State Government Operations in the 2013-2014 session); Liquor Control (he served as the Subcommittee Chair on Licensing in the 2019-2020 session); Education; Human Services; Insurance; and Children and Youth. Justin was also State House appointee to the Pennsylvania Community Development Bank and served on the Select Committee on Property Taxes in the 2011-2012 session.
While serving in office, Justin was successful in introducing three pieces of legislation that were signed into law by Governors of both parties. These pieces of legislation included child protection laws and home-rule county tax policy. In addition, Justin successfully introduced legislation that was incorporated into state budget code bills and were signed by Governors of both parties.
Proud of his district, Justin spent a significant amount of time in office working towards initiatives that would strengthen the business climate in the Lehigh Valley, create jobs and enhance the lives of residents through revitalization and beautification projects. Justin was successful in bringing millions of state tax dollars back to his district for projects such as library expansion, as well as several major infrastructure projects that attracted economic development from top tier companies like Wawa, McDonalds and St. Luke’s Health Care Network. Among many other funding initiatives, Justin was also responsible for securing funding for one of the oldest communities in Lehigh County to replace crumbling sidewalks, crosswalks and curbing, as well as the installation of lights throughout the community to enhance safety for its residents. Justin currently resides in the township he grew up in and represented in the General Assembly. He is the proud father of his daughter, Reagan, and two dogs, Bailey and Toby.
Lucas Richardson
Art/Marketing Director
Lucas Richardson is a versatile artist with a wide range of skills. A formally trained fine artist, he brings all the fundamentals of the traditional art world to a digital age. Lucas studied a double major of both fine art illustration and graphic design at duCret School of Art, where he graduated valedictorian. Training with world renowned artists like famed illustrator Peter Caras he honed his skills in all the traditional mediums as well as learning all the latest digital mediums. He has continued to grow with all these mediums over his career.
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After graduation he went on to head up the Art department at the vintage electronics company Gemini Sound Products, designing both the look of their products, packaging, advertising and trade shows. He was also integral in the launching of their iKey brand offshoot company. After that he went on to become the Art Director at Bopt inc./WOWindow Posters where he was responsible for rebranding the entire company and invented several new products, as well as a state of the art new design that brought the company much success.
Lucas has more than 25 years of experience immersed in all of the industry standard design programs and he continues to expand his skillset, adding website design and social media advertising in the last 10 years. He continues to be a successful portrait and fine artist all the while staying on top of the ever changing landscape of the digital age. A life long NJ resident he resides in Scotch Plains with his wife Kerry, and their two children Abigail and Charles.
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