PRESIDENT :: Douglas Elmets

Douglas Elmets is an expert in the field of communications with an extensive background in public relations, government relations and political affairs in both the public and private sectors.

Prior to forming Elmets Communications, Elmets was chief lobbyist for oil giant ARCO, working in Los Angeles and Sacramento for more than six years. During his time with ARCO, Elmets helped to position the company as a leader in the field of government and public relations on a national, state and local level using media relations, grassroots coalition building, and political and legislative advocacy.

Elmets was the press secretary and chief spokesman for the U.S. Department of Energy during President Reagan’s second term. He also served as the deputy assistant secretary of energy for external affairs, with responsibility for public affairs, public liaison, intergovernmental affairs, consumer affairs and speechwriting.

During the first four years of the Reagan Administration, Elmets held several key positions in the White House including executive assistant to the director of presidential personnel, executive assistant to the director of White House communications, White House spokesman for domestic issues and speechwriter in the White House Office of Political Affairs.

In addition to his service in the executive branch of government, Elmets also worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and held the position of special assistant to the director of the 1984 Reagan-Bush presidential campaign.

Elmets has been intimately involved in Native American affairs throughout his career. He is widely reputed to be one of the foremost authorities on intergovernmental relations with Tribal officials and serves as media consultant, among other things, for several Tribes.

In his spare time, Elmets enjoys a good game of tennis or, in the case of rain, table tennis.

Douglas Elmets received his B.A. Degree with honors from the University of Iowa and has undertaken graduate studies at the University of Southern California. He is listed in Sacramento's Power & Influence 100 and Who’s Who in the World.

VICE PRESIDENT :: Nick Kump

Nick Kump brings several years of public relations, marketing and integrated communications to the Elmets team. Kump has experience in consumer product launches, branding, sports, financial services and healthcare public relations as well as grassroots political campaigning.  His diverse experience has helped shape his unique and comprehensive view of the media, including new media, and how to use the media to get important messages out to key audiences and achieve quantifiable goals.

Kump has developed an extensive list of media contacts both in the trade and mainstream media through dedicated outreach on behalf of Native American Indian tribes throughout California, elected officials, regional developers and business and trade associations. He has written copy and lent his strategic, creative mind to the expansion of Thunder Valley Casino Resort, several trade shows on the West Coast and the execution of multiple high-profile crisis communications efforts.  

Kump is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication, where he was awarded Most Outstanding Undergraduate Public Relations Student for his contributions and achievements in the public relations industry as a student.

Kump currently holds a teaching credential in California and is a certified EMT-1 Basic. He is also an avid political blogger and a member of the California Blacksmith Association.