| About Us TRG has a solid track record developing both statewide and locally-based public education and community outreach campaigns, working on large public works and transportation related projects and crafting niche marketing programs geared towards ethnic communities. The Group has a reputation for shaping, innovative solutions for often complex public affairs challenges. TRG specializes in community outreach, public involvement, legislative advocacy and communications and has substantial experience in land use, private sector construction and public infrastructure projects. Staff Bios Christine Robert, President Christine M. Robert is the founder and president of The Robert Group, a public affairs consulting firm specializing in community outreach, public education, legislative advocacy, and economic development. She has an extensive background in governmental affairs and the public sector, which is complemented by over 20 years of community involvement. She is an expert in crafting strategic approaches and compelling messages for large public works and infrastructure projects in order to generate public awareness of, and support for, such projects. Prior to founding The Robert Group, Ms. Robert gained significant experience in transportation and large public works projects as Senior Administrative Analyst at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Ms. Robert also served as Manager of Government and Public Affairs at the agency where she conducted public presentations to community groups, monitored and analyzed transportation projects and legislative issues of concern to city, state and federal local elected officials, coordinated public outreach efforts to keep communities abreast of transportation projects, and developed and implemented project action plans with city, state and federal elected officials and their staffs. Ms. Robert spent four years in Washington, DC on the staff of former Congressman Julian Dixon focusing on transportation legislation on the federal level. Subsequently, she acted as Interim Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. where she managed and recruited for the Congressional Fellows Program and Congressional Intern Program, and interacted with the Board, Executive Committee and Members of the Congressional Black Caucus to manage the implementation of Board policies. She served as Planning and Transportation Deputy to Los Angeles City Council Member Rita Walters. During her tenure at City Hall, Ms. Robert not only became familiar with the inner workings of City Hall and its departments specifically the Community Redevelopment Agency, Housing, Planning and Land Use Management, and Transportation agencies respectively, but also with issues of local importance. Ms. Robert currently sits on the Board of the City of Los Angeles Transportation Commission after serving numerous years on the Board of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. She maintains strong business and personal ties to South Los Angeles and the Inglewood areas. Clarissa Filgioun, Vice President Clarissa A. A. Filgioun is Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing for The Robert Group. With an extensive background in communications, international business development and strategic planning across several industry groups, including investment banking, transportation and non-profits, Ms. Filgioun brings fifteen years of diverse experience to the firm. Prior to this, Ms. Filgioun was Special Assistant to the President of a boutique brokerage and investment banking firm specializing in Latin America. She was responsible for developing the firm's investment banking and corporate finance area of business. For example, she ensured that the firm was involved in several large underwritings, assisted in raising capital for a Mexican venture capital fund, and traveled extensively through Latin America to generate corporate finance projects. She also wrote a strategic plan for the firm, and conducted all marketing such as public relations, client relations, seminar and conference planning, press relations, new business development and research writing. Before moving to the United States to attend graduate school, Ms. Filgioun worked for four years at a large South African multinational firm with core interests in natural resources and mining. She left the company as an Assistant Vice President in the office of the Chief Executive Officer where her responsibilities encompassed strategic planning, international client relations, internal special projects, press relations, and Board relations. While in that country, she volunteered at the regional office for Operation Hunger and taught adult literacy classes. She is an active member of the National Women's Political Caucus, Cal Business Alumni Association, the Women's Transportation Coalition and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. |
