2020 Virtual Legislative Preview Summit

Ryan C. Kelly is a cofounder of the Primacy Strategy Group in addition to serving as the President and CEO. He also serves on the PSG Board of Governors. Mr. Kelly is also the Principal of Synergetic Endeavors a St. Paul-based consulting firm he founded in 2005 which specializes in grassroots advocacy, public relations, coalition building and association management. Mr. Kelly is a skilled and experienced strategist delivering successful outcomes for clients at the congressional, state, and local levels. Mr. Kelly is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Kurt Zellers is the Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Primacy Strategy Group. Mr. Zellers is a strategic public relations and public affairs expert with 25+ years of experience in the industry. He began his work in political advocacy in 1990 while working on a North Dakota State house campaign. Mr. Zellers served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2015, including as Minnesota’s 57th Speaker of the House. Zellers also served as House Minority Leader and Assistant Majority and Minority Leader.  Mr. Zellers received a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of North Dakota.

Blair Thoreson is a member of the State and Local Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs team at the Primacy Strategy Group (PSG). Prior to joining PSG he represented the 44th Legislative District in Fargo, North Dakota from 1998-2016.  During his legislative career, Thoreson served as chairman of the House Appropriations Government Operations committee. Thoreson is a small business owner and worked in the telecommunications industry. He serves on the Board of Directors of the North Dakota Hospitality Association. Thoreson received his Bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Mary.

Rudie Martinson is a member of the State and Local Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs team at the Primacy Strategy Group (PSG). As part of his duties for PSG, Rudie continues as the executive director of the North Dakota Hospitality Association. During his time at the Hospitality Association he developed a reputation as an eloquent and effective coalition builder and advocate. Rudie honed his skills while working for the North Dakota Policy Council, Americans for Prosperity, and the North Dakota Republican Party. In 2013, he was named to the Bismarck Tribune’s “Top 40 Under 40.” He holds a B.S. in English from North Dakota State University.

The Primacy Strategy Group (PSG) is a full-service government relations and public affairs firm. The PSG team offers a broad spectrum of services for its clients which includes association management and coalition building, grassroots and grasstops mobilization, regulatory affairs expertise at the federal, state and local levels, as well as procurement services. PSG also provides clients with expanded public affairs and communications services, including strategic communications planning, media relations, social and digital media strategies, crisis communications, and reputation management.

Primacy Strategy Group is a 50/50 joint-venture between Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. (LGN), a Minnesota-based law firm with state and federal lobbying teams and Synergetic Endeavors, a St. Paul-based consulting firm specializing in grassroots advocacy, public relations, coalition building and association management.