Ek, Sunkin & Bai, a Los Angeles-based independently owned public affairs, strategic communications and government advocacy firm, announced that John Edmond, a former chief of staff to a Long Beach city council member with more than 20 years of senior-level professional experience in both the public and private sectors, has joined the firm to lead the political campaigns practice.
With offices in downtown Los Angeles, San Pedro and Long Beach, Ek, Sunkin & Bai has a professional staff of 16 and represents more than 60 public, private and non-profit sector clients with federal, state and local issues.
At Ek, Sunkin & Bai, Edmond will play a key role in the firm’s ability to assist clients in political campaigns. His focus will include: candidates, political action committees, issue-based initiatives and strategic community engagement. Edmond will use his experience in public affairs for regulatory issues, policy development, economic development, land-use approvals and banking.
“John Edmond is a strong addition to the Ek, Sunkin & Bai office given his experience in political campaigns and deep knowledge of the inner workings of city government,” said John Ek, founding partner. “With John on board, the firm will expand its work from government advocacy to political campaigns. We look forward to this exciting new chapter for the firm and our clients.”
Edmond’s career has many notable accomplishments. Most recently, he was Chief of Staff in the City of Long Beach for 11 years where he advised Councilmember Dee Andrews on policy issues, funding priorities, economic development and infrastructure projects. His experience in economic development, public affairs, public policy and public administration helped advance the council office’s goals to make Long Beach a better place to live, work and play.
In his tenure with the City, he has numerous accomplishments. Edmond was instrumental in creating a property-based business improvement district in central Long Beach called “Midtown” and later helped draft the policy for the creation of cultural and business districts; which opened the opportunity for the cultural designation of “Cambodia Town.” Soon after, Edmond was recognized by the Cambodian community as “The Champion of Cambodia Town.”
Under Edmond’s advice, the Council approved the creation of a tax amnesty program allowing businesses to become up-to-date with their fees without paying penalties. He helped create a policy for the city’s procurement to leverage purchasing power and create economies of scale.
Edmond has a strong record in political campaigns and civic engagement. He has worked on statewide campaigns and local elections, and advised political action committees, local candidates and ballot initiatives. He was the architect of winning a write-in campaign for a candidate outright in a primary election.
Edmond has a background in the financial service sectors. He has worked for a top ten financial bank where he managed ultra-high net worth individuals and company’s investible assets. His experience includes investment banking, home finance, and business development.