Nyhus Communications LLC

Roger Nyhus
President & CEO

Roger Nyhus is the founder and chief communications strategist of Nyhus, a leading, next–generation public relations and public affairs firm serving best–in–class organizations that operate at the intersection of business, government and the community.

Roger, who has advised numerous business and government leaders around the world since founding his firm in 1994, is an experienced and effective communications professional with a strong background in strategic public relations, public affairs and advocacy for innovative organizations and their leaders.

Roger’s specialties include strategic counsel, branding and positioning, media relations, issues and crises management, executive communications, community and government relations, internal communications and special events. Roger and his team pride themselves on their passion, candid counsel, integrity and on–target results.

Roger has advised some of the Northwest’s leading real estate development clients, including Seattle Hotel Group (Four Seasons Private Residences Seattle), Columbia Hospitality Inc., Vulcan Inc., 2200, LEXAS Companies, Opus Northwest/Samis, LUMEN and Schnitzer Northwest.

Roger has a proven ability to anticipate changing business or political situations, make a rapid and accurate assessment of the opportunity and respond with creative communications solutions. He is excellent at managing crisis communications with an exceptional ability to proactively reach diverse and complex audiences. Roger thrives in high–pressure, dynamic situations.

Roger’s career spans senior leadership roles in both business and government. He was the longest–serving communications director for Washington Gov. Gary Locke, the nation’s first Chinese–American governor. In that role, he served as chief communications strategist for the governor and his cabinet agencies. Roger led a successful branding effort for the governor, repositioning him as a strong statewide leader in tough economic times. He developed a highly successful branding and public relations effort supporting the state’s winning bid for development of Boeing’s newest airplane, the 787. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Roger advised Seattle Mayor Paul Schell during the last six months of his term.

Previously, Roger was a member of the executive team and director of corporate communications at Teledesic, a high–profile technology startup funded by telecommunications pioneer Craig McCaw, Microsoft co–founder Bill Gates, The Boeing Company, Motorola and Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. Roger was responsible for Teledesic’s global branding, public relations and marketing communications program, with emphasis on Europe, Asia and Africa.

Over the years, Roger has served as a strategic counselor to many leading clients, including telecommunications pioneer Craig McCaw’s private investment company Eagle River, the national wireless services provider Nextel, plus NEXTLINK (now XO Communications), XYPOINT, Frank Russell Company and the Free Willy Keiko Foundation. Prior to his public relations career, Roger was a general assignment and political reporter for The Associated Press in Seattle; Olympia, Wash.; and Juneau, Alaska.

Roger has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication. He is a board member of Seattle Parks Foundation and chairs its communications committee. Roger is actively involved in several political campaigns.