Thom Serafin
Thom Serafin | |
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Occupation | Public affairs consultant |
Thom Serafin is a public affairs consultant specializing in politics and media. He is the founder and CEO of Serafin & Associates, Inc., a Chicago-based firm specializing in crisis communication. Thom is active at his local parish, St. Francis Xavier in La Grange, and is a volunteer usher for Sunday mass. [1][2] Crain's Chicago Business has included him in their list of Illinois' 20 most powerful political insiders. [3]
Early life
Serafin was born in
Career
Serafin began his career as the Springfield correspondent for the Capitol Information Bureau (now the Illinois Radio Network).[6]
In 1978, he left his job as a legislative correspondent to become press secretary for Alex Seith, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, in his challenge to the incumbent U.S. Senator Charles H. Percy. Despite Seith's obscurity, the campaign mounted a strong challenge and nearly pulled off an upset victory.[7][1] Serafin managed Seith's second Senate bid in 1984; the campaign advertisements Serafin designed were called "corny but effective,"[8] beginning his career in politics.
His next job in politics was as press secretary for U.S. Senator Alan Dixon.[9] As Dixon's "top political operative",[10] he worked on campaigns for other Democratic candidates in Illinois, including future U.S. Senator Dick Durbin's first congressional run and Illinois State Treasurer James Donnewald's reelection bid.[9][11] In 1987, he joined Gary Hart's presidential campaign as its Illinois manager. He was one of two Hart spokesmen to confirm on May 8, 1987, that Hart was withdrawing from the presidential race.[12]
Over the following years, Serafin served as a political and media consultant for a number of candidates, including future Illinois Appellate Judge
Serafin & Associates has refocused its business away from campaigns for public office and towards crisis communication for businesses, unions, and non-profits. The firm's clients have included the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities,
Since 1996, Serafin has hosted an annual holiday party known for attracting Chicago's political, media, and business "A-listers."[15] Held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the gathering is known to bring people together from "opposing political [and] business fronts."[16][17]
In 2001, he traveled to Cuba as part of former U.S. Senator Paul Simon's delegation of academics and public officials. Serafin was one of the six members of the delegation to share a six-hour luncheon with Fidel Castro.[18]
On May 16, 2015, Serafin delivered the commencement address at the
References
- ^ a b c d Merrion, Paul. "Political Spinmeister is No Party Animal", Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago, January 03, 1998. Retrieved on 14 July 2015.
- New York Times, New York, March 19, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ a b Merrion, Paul. "The 20 Most Powerful Political Insiders", Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago, September 7, 2015. Retrieved on 7 September 2015.
- ^ a b Bayer, Jessica. "UIS Welcomes Back Thom Serafin", The Journal, Springfield, May 6, 2015. Retrieved on June 4, 2015.
- ^ Black, Jonathan. "Savvy Strategist", UIS Alumni Fall | Winter 2017 , Retrieved on July 22, 2021.
- ^ Serafin, Thom. "A Watchful Eye on State Accounts: Auditor General Robert Cronson", Illinois Issues, Springfield, February 1975. Retrieved on June 10, 2015.
- The Associated Press, Chicago, May 24, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ Talbott, Basil, Jr. "Seith scores on third try", Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, February 5, 1984. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b c Herguth, Bob. "Thom M. Serafin". Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, February 15, 1988.
- ^ Neal, Steve. "Donnewald Winds Up Race In Vote Country", Chicago Tribune, Chicago, February 02, 1986. Retrieved July 14, 2015
- ^ a b Serafin, Thom. "Commencement Address". UIS Commencement, Springfield, May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- New York Times, New York, May 8, 1987. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ a b Manson, Ken. "Fox Chicago Political Analyst Also a Familiar Sight in La Grange, La Grange Park", La Grange Patch, La Grange, September 2, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ Merrion, Paul. "OPINION;FED FILE;FROM GUYS IN THE KNOW", Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago, June 08, 1996. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago, December 10, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ^ Shaw, Andy. "Dispatch from Division: Reform Fight Takes a Party Break", Notebook: Official Blog of Better Government Association Investigative Team, Chicago, December 1, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2015
- ^ "Recipe for a good holiday party: Lamb chops, hangover and names like Axelrod, Rauner", Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago, December 20, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2015
- ^ Binder, Steve. "CASTRO MEETS SIU GROUP: SIX-HOUR DISCUSSION LEADS TO INVITATION TO RETURN", The Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, February 22, 2001. Retrieved July 21, 2015.