About Us – Archer Public Affairs

Archer Public Affairs is a fully integrated consulting firm with practice areas in federal and state lobbying and public affairs. As principal and owner, I am a licensed attorney with nearly 20 years’ experience advising non-profits, businesses, local governments, candidates and local officials on policy, funding, public works projects, bonds and voter measures. In 2021, I forayed my grassroots lobby efforts into professional services. Since then, I have delivered successes to a variety of clients in Southwest Washington and beyond, including, but not limited to, Columbia River Mental Health Services, Clark College, and YWCA Clark County.

Having a background in public affairs means I develop the right strategies, messages and presentations to position my clients’ legislative objectives and grant projects in the best light possible. Regardless of party affiliation, I work on both sides of the aisle to organize events and media opportunities that celebrate the wins and highlight key issues no matter how tough the conversation. After two decades working in politics, I have close ties to the state’s congressional delegation, key agency officials at the federal and state levels, executive branch personnel, and members of the state legislature and their staff. I have also written speeches on behalf of Governor Jay Inslee, Lt. Governor Denny Heck, State Representative Monica Stonier, City of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, and Clark College’s Dr. Karen Edwards, amongst others.

I also specialize in sourcing funding for local governments and non-profit organizations by identifying stakeholders and investors, giving policy advice, providing public relations management, creating strategic and crisis communication plans, and executing public outreach and engagement plans. Of which, my messaging and community outreach skills were recognized in 2017 with a nomination for the prestigious General George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award.

In 2019, I graduated from Leadership Clark County (LCC), thus allowing me access to over 800 alumni leaders regionally. As an active member of this network, I’ve co-hosted the National Youth Civics Bee’s Southwest Washington competition twice; and between 2019 to 2023, I organized and hosted LCC’s annual Lunch with the Mayors and its beloved Elected Official Round Robin Event. I also regularly provide public candidate training on a volunteer basis for the Clark County Election’s Office and for the local chapter of the nonpartisan National Women’s Political Caucus.

With a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) in Public Affairs Administration and Management (2005), I was the first undergraduate selected to be a policy analyst intern for the Clark County Board of Commissioners’ Office. As an alumnus, I was honored to be nominated for WSUV’s Woman of Distinction Award in 2015, and again in 2017. In 2011, I graduated in the top third of my class from Willamette University College of Law, where I served as the elected Student Bar Association President, representing the College of Law students before faculty, administration, and the outside legal and civic community.

Fully integrated consulting with practice areas in federal and state lobbying and public affairs.

At Archer Public Affairs, clients may select from a “menu” of services to meet your public policy needs. For example, a client may choose only federal and state grant writing services, or they may opt for state lobbying, state grant writing, and public affairs. The choice is yours! Call or email Katie to receive a proposal of services.

Federal Lobbying Services

Under a federal lobbying contact, Archer Public Affairs advises clients on Congressional issues and prepares a federal agenda for each client to present to our Congressional representatives on a chaperoned trip to Washington D.C. to meet with Congressional officials or staff during the federal legislative session. Federal lobbying services also includes the submission of my clients’ federal Congressional Directed Spending Accounts, also known as “earmarks.” Accordingly, I have secured over $3 million dollars in federal earmarks for my Washington clients.

State Lobbying Services

In three Washington State legislative sessions, I have secured $6 million dollars in state capital budget expenditures and have successfully lobbied for a state rate increase for medical services. These wins include securing $2.5 million in the 2023 State capital budget to complete the remodel of Columbia River Mental Health Service’s NorthStar Opioid Clinic. Under a state lobbying contact, Archer Public Affairs would advise clients on Washington state legislative issues and would register as state lobbyists on their behalf. Clients are chaperoned by me to Olympia to meet with legislative officials or staff during the state legislative session.

Federal Grant Writing Services

As a testament to my grant writing talents, I have authored nearly $44 million dollars in successful federal funding awards. Including two grants, a $5 million-dollar federal Bureau of Reclamation grant – one of the largest in the agency’s history – and a $4 million-dollar federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) expansion grant – the second largest award in Washington state.

State Grant Writing Services

My grant writing success continues at the state level having authored nearly $11 million dollars in successful state grant awards and low-interest loan applications. This includes, multiple Washington State Department of Commerce grants, public loans through the Public Works Board, and a state pass-through grant from the Office on Violence Against Women.

Public Affairs/Strategic Communication Services

Rooted in a communications background, I have served in this capacity for many clients in many ways over the last eight years as a strategic partner in messaging. As such, my unique public affairs services could include, for example: Speechwriting and authoring op-eds; organizing and soliciting participation from elected leaders in relevant discussions; hosting forums, work groups, or discussion panels to gain feedback or to message out information; providing issue management within external and internal stakeholder groups; positioning CFTH’s director or spokespeople as “thought leaders” on mission values; drafting and distributing press releases related to public policy work; offering communications support, recommendations, and implementation advice related to public policy; assistance in implementing CFTH’s crisis communications plan, including crisis response counsel or direct crisis incident support.