Matt Paul

Matt Paul co-founded Cornerstone’s Public Affairs practice in 2017 and has driven the team’s growth of both clients and capability. His public policy, government and strategic communications experience helps clients raise their profiles with key decisionmakers and national audiences as well as develop the overarching strategy to support their efforts.

Matt began his career as a reporter in television and radio in Eastern Iowa. He entered politics at the local level, working for two mayors of his hometown of Cedar Rapids. He then served Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack in several positions over his eight-year tenure, including press secretary, communications director, and senior advisor. Matt also has experience in state and national politics. In 2008, he managed Sen. Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) final re-election campaign. In 2011, Matt joined the Obama Administration as communications director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). At USDA, he managed a staff of 75, led message coordination efforts around the 2014 Farm Bill and directed media relations involving USDA’s seven mission areas and twenty agencies. Matt served as the Iowa State Director for the 2016 Clinton Presidential Campaign and transitioned to be the chief of staff for Vice Presidential Candidate Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) , where he managed campaign strategy and operations for candidate.

Matt is known as a trusted advisor to corporate, association and nonprofit clients.