Douglas G. Elmets

Doug Elmets is the founder and president of Elmets Communications – a full spectrum consulting firm serving a broad range of clients in business, government and the political arena.

Elmets is a well-known media and crisis strategist widely sought for his ability to develop and communicate powerful, convincing messages for his clients, including but not limited to: Thunder Valley Casino Resort, the United Auburn Indian Community, Jackson Rancheria Casino, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Modesto Irrigation District.

Elmets’ record of delivering results is anchored in more than three decades of public affairs experience in government, business and politics, ranging from his years as a White House spokesman in the Reagan Administration to his more recent work for trade associations, Fortune 500 companies, public municipalities, and Native American tribes. Combining his political acumen, coalition-building talents and knack for branding a cause, Elmets provides his clients outstanding service, whether their needs relate to media relations, legislative and regulatory advocacy, community relations or crisis management.

Prior to launching his company in 1996, Elmets managed the government and public relations for oil giant ARCO, working in Los Angeles and Sacramento. As ARCO’s chief lobbyist, he oversaw all of the company’s government and public affairs on the state level and was responsible for corporate relationships with California’s cities and counties.  

Elmets’ career in the private sector followed extensive experience in public service, both in government agencies and in the U.S. House of Representatives, the United States Senate and the White House. During President Reagan’s first term, his key positions included White House spokesman for domestic issues and speechwriter in the White House Office of Political Affairs, where he worked with legendary Republican strategists Ed Rollins, Lyn Nofziger and Lee Atwater. Elmets also served as the executive assistant to President Reagan’s director of communications, David Gergen, and executive assistant to the director of presidential personnel. In 1984, he honed his political skills as special assistant to the director of the Reagan-Bush presidential campaign.

Elmets joined the U.S. Department of Energy as deputy assistant secretary of energy for external affairs, with responsibility for public affairs, intergovernmental affairs, consumer affairs and speechwriting. His duties included managing communications for respected Energy Secretary John Herrington, who later served as chairman of the California Republican Party.

Active in philanthropy, Elmets serves on the board of the Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center and is an on-air fundraiser for KVIE/Channel 6, Sacramento’s PBS television station. He is the former chairman of the board of KVIE and also served on the boards of the Crocker Art Museum and the Sutter Club of Sacramento. His national charity work includes serving on the board of directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Elmets received his B.A. degree with honors from the University of Iowa and attended the University of Southern California MBA Program.  Married with three children, Elmets is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. The Los Angeles Times named Elmets as Who's Who in California Tax Policy and Sacramento Magazine named Elmets one of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential people in the Sacramento region.

With his political savvy and engaging communications style, Elmets is one of the most widely quoted public affairs experts in California and is often quoted in the Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle and San Diego Union Tribune. He provides regular political commentary for NBC Channel 3, ABC Channel 10, National Public Radio and has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, CBS and Fox.