Passantino Andersen Communications

Andy is the Founding Partner at Passantino Andersen Communications, a strategic communications firm specializing in economic development, social responsibility and public education campaigns.

During the past fourteen years, he has helped entitle more than $1 billion in retail, residential, telecom and energy projects. He has also led efforts to pass high profile legislation, pass numerous local ballot measures and elect hundreds of candidates at all levels of government.

Andy has represented several public and private sector clients on a range of issues, including land-use, energy, education, telecommunications, water, transportation and the environment.

His experience includes political analysis, issue advocacy, stakeholder education, opposition management, coalition building, grassroots mobilization, media relations and crisis management for global retailers, telecommunications companies, national homebuilders and international energy companies.

He helps clients deliver persuasive messages, craft solutions to political challenges and build consensus among competing interests to achieve their business objectives.

In the land-use arena, Andy and his partner developed a proprietary plan, called PAC20X® to secure timely government approvals by influencing decision-makers with extreme expressions of support.

The secret behind the PAC20X® system is an advanced persuasion technique called Neutralisis™, which accelerates government approvals by constantly neutralizing opposition claims using research-based messaging and situational strategies to create a climate of courage for government decision-makers.

It’s a powerful approach that draws from the disciplines of statistics, political science and human psychology to effect positive social change in public attitudes and behavior toward any project or service application requiring government approvals.

A noted expert in the field of land-use and energy public affairs, Andy’s views on the subject have been published in Builder and Developer Magazine, The CleanTech Group News and other publications, Web sites and blogs.

Andy also served as a senior advisor to elected leaders in both houses of the California Legislature; directing several state-wide public affairs campaigns to win passage of high-profile legislation, including HMO reform, class-size reduction, electrical restructuring, and Megan’s Law.

A decorated U.S. Navy veteran, his military experience includes maritime patrol operations in the Persian Gulf, counter-intelligence operations against the former Soviet Union and drug interdiction operations in South America.

Andy’s personal interests include hunting, fishing, skiing and wine tasting. He also enjoys preparing gourmet meals, paired with fine wines.

Andy and his wife, Cathy, have three daughters.