June 29, 2011
Bill Stafford, Founder and President of Seattle’s Trade Development Alliance, Brings International Business Expertise to Nyhus Communications
Contact: Roger Nyhus, Nyhus Communications LLC; roger.nyhus@nyhus.com, +1 206 323 3733
‘Seattle’s Global Maestro’ Joins Strategic Communications and Advocacy Firm as Senior Counselor, Further Strengthens Nyhus’ Global Practice
SEATTLE – June 29, 2011 – Nyhus Communications LLC (www.nyhus.com), a Seattle-based strategic communications and advocacy firm with global clientele, today announced that Bill Stafford, the founder and president of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, has agreed to join the firm as a senior counselor. Stafford brings decades of experience in building international partnerships and promoting global trade and investment to Nyhus.
“Bill is perhaps Washington state’s most experienced and effective ambassador for international trade and business,” said Roger Nyhus, president and CEO of Nyhus. “Bill is a close advisor to business and political leaders around the world. He’s incredibly smart, savvy and connected. I’m proud to call Bill my close friend, mentor and now my colleague.”
An expert in facilitating and strengthening international trade and business relations, his connections in Seattle and beyond are unmatched in the industry. According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, “Probably nobody in Seattle has conversed with more business and government leaders around the world than Bill Stafford.” The Seattle Times has also dubbed him as “Seattle’s global maestro.”
In his role as a senior counselor for Nyhus, effective Sept. 1, Stafford will leverage his past experiences to advise Nyhus clients on international trade and investment issues and help build the firm’s practice in promoting international trade, market entry and international relations. He will also remain a Senior Advisor at the Trade Development Alliance.
Stafford has coordinated countless international trade missions and diplomatic visits to Seattle by international leaders, as well as developed Seattle’s sister city partnerships around the world. Stafford has made great progress during the course of his career to establish Seattle as an international player and promote effective international partnerships.
“This partnership allows me to continue to pursue my longstanding goal of building our region as a center of international trade,” said Stafford. “I have spent the past 20 years promoting Northwest businesses and non-profits as leading global innovators. Nyhus shares this dedication by positioning its clients for success in the global marketplace. We share a common vision and I look forward to leveraging my expertise to build on our success.”
Nyhus currently works with clients in China and Australia and has done extensive work throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America and Africa.
Stafford has been president of the Trade Development Alliance for the past 20 years, overseeing its establishment and growth into a recognized advocate for international commerce. Prior to founding the Alliance, he worked for the City of Seattle for 20 years with three mayors, including serving as deputy mayor to Mayor Charles Royer. He founded and directed the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, where he was responsible for the state, regional, national and international relations of the city.
Stafford sits on numerous boards, including the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour, Port Jobs and the Economic Development District, the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and the chancellor’s advisory committee for Seattle Community Colleges. He holds a master’s in business administration in marketing from Columbia University and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Colorado College, which selected him for the Louis T. Benezet Award for outstanding achievement in his chosen field.
With his service to Seattle and the region, Stafford has been recognized with many prestigious awards. These accolades include the World Affairs Council’s World Citizen designation, the Municipal League’s Public Official of the Year and Pacific Lutheran University’s Peace Builder Award.
Stafford’s addition to the Nyhus team is the latest milestone in a string of recent successes for the firm. Inc. Magazine ranked Nyhus in the top 25 percent of its 2010 Inc. 5000 list, which lists the top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the nation. The same Inc. Magazine ranking recognized Nyhus as one of the top 60 fastest-growing private companies in Seattle. Additionally, the Holmes Report recently selected Nyhus as the 2011 North American winner for the Gold Sabre Award in Community Relations for its corporate social responsibility work for Partners in Preservation, an innovative program created by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For more information about Nyhus and its team of communications professionals, visit www.nyhus.com.
About Nyhus Communications
With offices in Seattle and Washington, D.C., Nyhus is a smart, creative and connected strategic communications and advocacy firm with a global view. Our mission is to build, promote and energize world-class brands and innovators through strategic communications, advocacy and influence. The firm offers a full array of comprehensive public relations, public affairs, marketing and social services. Nyhus specializes in innovation, corporate social responsibility and financial services. Nyhus develops true partnerships with its clients to understand and address their challenges, create opportunities and solutions, and deliver exceptional results.