Firm History
While Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs was officially established in July 2000, the firm’s roots originated in 1988 when Stuart Goodman and David Schwartz began their government relations internships at Salt River Project. Their careers continued to cross paths as David pursued interests in local government at the City of Phoenix and Stuart opted for a path more focused on state government.
Ultimately, both Stuart and David served in senior positions within state and local governments. Stuart went on to senior policy positions for Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Governor Jane Dee Hull. David served in Skip Rimsza’s Phoenix City Council Office as well as the Mayor’s Office, rising to Deputy Chief of Staff.
Despite the challenges inherent in representing elected officials, David and Stuart maintained their friendship and worked together to identify opportunities in which all interests could be accommodated.
In early 2000, Stuart and David met for lunch at the Whataburger at 7th Street and McDowell in Phoenix (they both eat healthier now). In what began as a casual conversation about future career paths, the discussion materialized into a serious talk about bringing their combined expertise in municipal and state government under the umbrella of a single public affairs firm.
Given the nature of working for high profile elected officials, David and Stuart agreed to resist the temptation of soliciting clients before they established the firm, as neither wanted anyone to question the integrity of the political and policy advice being given before they announced the formation of Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs. It was considered a risky and unconventional approach at the time, but represents the genesis of the firm’s commitment to professional integrity in government relations and public affairs.
Since those early beginnings, the firm, now celebrating over 20 years of representing a broad spectrum of public and private sector clients, continues to focus on the three pillars in which the firm was established – integrity, experience and effectiveness. While Stuart and David’s culinary tastes have changed, their continued commitment to representing their client interests in the most professional, ethical and effective manner remains the same.
Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs has been honored to represent clients in a wide spectrum of sectors including, but not limited to, health care, development, land use, manufacturing, technology, transportation, human services, public utilities, water policy, association management, local governments and state regulatory agencies.
Throughout the past 20 years, the firm has been fortunate to have attracted amazingly skilled associates. While each member of the Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs family has different skill sets, they all share the common experience of having worked in government before making the transition to the private sector, similar to the experiences acquired by the firm’s two founding principals.