Todd Rongstad

TODD J. RONGSTAD 4440 N. Wilson Drive, Apt. #4  Shorewood, WI 53211 - - SUMMARY Over three decades of highly visible public affairs, cause communication, and political marketing triumphs Proven video production, new media communications, and social networking design and implementation Published scholar and university lecturer/instructor on American music, community and popular culture Specialize in innovative communications that transform, educate and provoke public opinion and action Accomplished documentary filmmaker in cause advocacy, life story, and native culture/prehistory PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE President, Video Production, Cause Marketing & Public Affairs05.00 to Present The Valkyrie Group, LLC – Evermore Life Story Video & Word of Eye Productions subsidiaries Operate all aspects of award-winning videography, direct mail and political marketing firm Transform lobbying, advocacy advertising, grassroots activation, and issue-group management Manage successful video advocacy and communication programs for state and local campaigns Produce personal/business/life-story/cause video production, marketing, and on-line advocacy Instructor/Lecturer/Author01.11 to 05.15 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts, Music Department - Rock and Roll Certificate Program Teach graduate and undergraduate seminars on the history and transformation of popular music culture Published "AMERICAN ATOMIZATION: The Atomization of America and its Popular Music Culture," Spring, 2012, ZETEO - Journal of Interdisciplinary Writing Create multimedia pedagogy for the study of music history, genre proliferation, and cultural significance Produce on-line music and educational video series for the Peck School of the Arts distinctive and innovative Rock and Roll Certificate Program Manager, Public Affairs 12.97 to 06.00 Northern States Power Company/Xcel Energy Controlled prominent electric provider’s government affairs, lobbying and grassroots activities Empowered grassroots employee and stakeholder network using motivational and proactive communication strategies that drove political action Inspired local, state and federal level lobbying on energy and utility issues, building coalitions and negotiating complex policies with legislators and interest groups Created and administered political action committee and campaign contributions, moderating events and seminars to educate legislators and employees about relevant issues Represented Company in successful negotiations to pass comprehensive energy reliability legislation in Wisconsin, exceeding all major objectives Deputy Director, Wisconsin Legislature 01.95 to 12.97 Assembly Republican Caucus, Political and Policy Staff Founded and managed incumbent tracking database system to systematize information management Developed policy agenda for vulnerable GOP legislators Advised and participated in Assembly GOP leadership meetings to determine the legislative agenda Directed state budget caucus amendment process, issue research and outreach Managed staff and agenda development with lobbyists and interest groups Established priorities within million-dollar budgets for twenty-member political and policy staff Director, National and Environmental Affairs 03.94 to 02.95 Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Managed government activities on national and environmental affairs for Minnesota’s largest farm organization Lobbied at state and national levels to guide beneficial legislation Shaped policy through viewpoint column composition in organization newspaper Oversaw inspirational grassroots and policy development activities Improved and steered coalition, organizing briefings and member political action events Director, Special Projects/Field Representative 05.91 to 03.94 The United States Congress, Office of Congressman Steve Gunderson Organized and oversaw Congressman’s in-district initiatives and acted as constituent ombudsman Administered constituent casework, organizing economic development working groups and reports Created promotional film, led working groups and organized hundreds of volunteers Represented Congressman at public events to ensure positive constituent and media impact Director, Governmental Relations12.89 to 05.91 Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Spoke at state and county Bureau meetings promoting knowledge and awareness Assembled ad hoc issue committees and authored strategic recommendations Acted as primary authority for state legislative affairs representation of Farm Bureau members Organized briefings, created legislative tracking service and managed political action committee Received state commendation for work on natural resource management issues Played key role in successful grassroots support and election of FB-endorsed candidates Legislative Aide and Research Clerk01.88 to 12.89 Office of State Representatives Mary Panzer & Steve Foti Managed legislative office and staffing for Joint Committee on Finance during budget consideration Hired and supervised staff, responded to constituent mail including legislation research Represented legislators in group presentations for constituents and interest groups Acted as liaison to executive branch, leadership offices, lobbyists and interest groups Legislative Assistant, Domestic and Budget Policy06.86 to 12.87 The United States Congress, Office of Congressman Steve Gunderson, Managed Congressman’s domestic policy issue agenda and authored legislation Analyzed issues and advised Congressman on domestic and budget policy Networked with constituents and lobbyists to influence public opinion Compiled, extracted and critiqued research, composed speeches and issue papers Formulated constituent and interest group correspondence to develop positive rapport EDUCATION B.A., History and Economics University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, 1986 B.F.A., Film/Video/New Genres University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 2009 Masters in Liberal Studies (MLS) University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 2011 References provided upon request.