Thunderbird Strategic LLC
Thunderbird Strategic LLC
Customized and Focused Washington, DC Advocacy and Communications
An American Indian Owned and Operated Business
Kevin J. Allis
Founder & President
Thunderbird Strategic advocates client interests in a very focused and disciplined "business like" manner. Merely having a presence in DC, or a resume with fancy Capitol Hill job titles, is of little value to clients in need of attentive and effective advocacy. Our team treats client policy priorities as "value propositions" that must be delivered to a particular customer segment...in this case members of Congress, Agencies, and/or the Administration. Alongside the client, we carefully breakdown the elements that shape the value proposition/policy priority, and then craft an effective package the delivers and maintains a close relationship with the target audience. Through this strategic planning process we identify meaningful metrics and short-term objectives that can monitor performance in a way that ensures the effort stays on track with expectations. Washington, DC is becoming less about "who you know," than it is about "how you approach Capitol Hill." With years of experience working in Washington DC as attorneys and government relations practitioners, the Thunderbird Strategic team brings a high level of knowledge, commitment, passion, and attention to detail when working with clients.
In my former role as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and the Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association ("NACA"), I was fortunate to lead an extremely talented team of government relations professionals that efficiently and effectively advocated issues significant to Indian Country. In addition, I had the opportunity to tour the country and meet Native leaders to discuss the issues that were important. As a tribal member of the Forest County Potawatomi Community ("FCPC"), and during my time serving as the Board Chairman of the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation, the FCPC's economic and business development arm, I have become keenly aware of tribal needs and concerns, and how to build and then implement plans and structures to address such matters. My Grandfather and Great-Grandfather served as Tribal Chairman of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. It's this lineage that runs through my blood, fueling my passion to work with Native Americans. The translation of this experience and passion to our clients is that I fully understand tribal legal matters, tribal business/economic development, tribal government relations, and how they interact with each other.
Representing diverse clients as an attorney for the Washington, DC based law firm of PilieroMazza PLLC, enabled me the opportunity to understand the significance of listening carefully and embracing what is important. This skill allows me to critically analyze a problem or interest, and then develop a creative, logical, and effective measure to achieve desired solutions. It is this extensive knowledge and experience as an attorney, business leader, and lobbyist that I am committed to deliver to our clients.
Education:
J.D. University of Baltimore, School of Law
B.S. Lousiana State University/University of Baltimore
Executive Development Certificate: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Executive Development Finance Certificate: Harvard University
Bar Admission:
Maryland
District of Columbia
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Board Positions:
Board Member: Commerce Financial Holdings/Commerce State Bank
Board Member: Race Forward
Lycia Ortega Maddocks
Vice President of Strategic Communications
In delivering a unique and unparalleled service to Indian Country, by merging and coordinating media and public relations strategies with government relations campaigns, Thunderbird Strategic announces today that a powerful Native American woman, who is an expert in communications, will be joining our team.Up to now, Federal Indian Law has been created without truly bringing Indian Country’s voice to the table. For time immemorial, tribal nations and Indigenous people have been telling their own stories and standing on their own truth.
"The same storytelling concept can be applied in policy advocacy to garner buy-in and attract visibility to Indian Country’s most pressing issues today. Thunderbird Strategic believes heavily in the art of strategic messaging and storytelling" states Lycia. An enrolled member of the Quechan Indian Nation, Lycia will serve as the firm’s communications and public relations expert. She has served in prominent communications and strategic marketing roles for Indian Country, including at the National Congress of American Indians, where she served as the first-ever Vice President of External Affairs. "I have worked closely with Lycia in the past, and I'm so excited about the level of professionalism, commitment, and dedication she will provide our clients in achieving their customized goals".... Kevin Allis, President and Founder of Thunderbird Strategic.
For more than 15 years, Lycia has studied, strategized, and executed effective grassroots and carefully curated communications campaigns and movements to advance sovereignty and gain maximum visibility for global corporations, American Indian and Alaska Native people, tribal nations, and their enterprises. Most recently, she engaged more than 200 tribal nations and Native-focused organizations for one of the largest civic engagement efforts in modern history, by encouraging and supporting 2020 Census and Native Vote 2020 Election messaging and mobilization efforts.
Lycia leverages a suite of tools and tactics to create ecosystems of change for clients by carefully crafting individualized plans that include an omni-channel, multi-faceted communications approach.
Lycia's pedigree in the business is founded in the following:
Education
Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law, University of Oklahoma School of Law
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Loyola University/University of Phoenix
Film & Video Production, Full Sail University
Awards
National Center for American Indian Economic Development 40 Under 40
5-time recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award
Board Service
Kwatsan Media, Inc.