strategic solutions
Gary Smith
Gary Smith has more than 40 years’ experience providing strategic communications and public affairs advice and services. He has concentrated on understanding and shaping public opinion on state and regional issues, including the repositioning of industries and companies and managing issues on a regional scale.
In 1990 Gary co-founded The Gallatin Group, a regional public affairs consulting firm, serving as president from 1993 through 2005 and chairman until his departure in 2007 to form Gary Smith Company, a Seattle-based international public affairs and strategic communications consulting firm.
Gary’s clients have included natural resource, utility, maritime, real estate, conservation, and sustainable development interests such as Premera Blue Cross, Plum Creek Timber, Albertsons, Toy Industry Association, and the Washington Citizens for World Trade.In addition to his consulting experience, Gary has managed government and public relations for a large corporation and worked in local and state government and the U.S. Senate.
Aligned with his personal interests, Gary’s public service trends toward conservation issues, especially regarding salmon. He represented the United States on the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission for 12 years and served on the board of Long Live The Kings for 18 years and the Seattle Aquarium Society for more than 25 years.
Don Stark
Don Stark passed away in April 2025. This bio is retained on the website in recognition of his exemplary career and community service.
Don was a founding partner of Gogerty Stark Marriott, one of the pioneering firms of Pacific Northwest public affairs. For nearly 50 years, he was an authority on public opinion and regional issues, leading major political/communications projects for the region’s most prominent companies, including Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Puget Sound Energy, a number of major developers and business coalitions.
He represented clients involved or impacted by nearly every major regional transportation project in the past decade. He was also active in the leadership of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, where he sat on the executive committee of the board.
His ability to assemble “unlikely allies” to assist with his client’s public policy goals was a hallmark of his work. He also directed complex public opinion research and communications projects that enabled clients to overcome seemingly overwhelming communications challenges.
Don’s focus for service to the community was directed toward increasing opportunity for the young. He board chair of both the Foundation for Early Learning and Thrive Washington and served on the boards of the Wallingford and King County Boys and Girls Clubs. He was also the board chair of Leadership Tomorrow, the Seattle Chamber’s business leaders development program. A long-time advocate for civil and human rights, Don served on the Pacific Northwest Advisory Board for the Anti-Defamation League.