Years in communications,
government & community relations
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT · PUBLIC RELATIONS · GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
David
D’Onofrio
Strategic communications and public affairs leadership. More than 30 years connecting communities, companies and decision-makers to advance complex projects.
↓ Professional background
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA · NATIONAL EXPERIENCESCROLL TO EXPLORE ↓
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Complex projects.
Clear direction.
He brings more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications, government affairs and community engagement.
His work spans complex regulatory matters, major development proposals, professional sports and renewable energy. He develops communications strategies that engage stakeholders, build relationships with decision-makers and support project approvals.
Through close client partnerships, he aligns traditional media, social campaigns and direct outreach to communities and elected officials with each project’s goals.
View LinkedIn profile ↗In mixed-use projects supported
by media and community plans
Budget responsibility on a
San Francisco Bay development
EXPERIENCE THAT MOVES THINGS FORWARD
Professional
experience.
From Washington advocacy to major developments, professional sports and renewable energy.
Sep 2019 — Present
RenUSA.org
Senior Vice President
Leesburg, Virginia
Communications, government and community relations across regulatory matters and billion-dollar project proposals. Career clients include Pattern Energy, ESA, RWE, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, Ford, the Carlyle Group and HCA.
May 2003 — Present
The Casey Group
President & Founder
Northern Virginia
Lead a multidisciplinary strategic communications firm serving major companies, significant projects, small businesses and nonprofits. Work spans public relations, community outreach, political communication, crisis management and serving as a client spokesperson.
- Created media and community plans instrumental in approval of over $1.5 billion in Northern Virginia mixed-use development.
- Devised and executed a campaign supporting the Silver Line extension to Loudoun County amid significant opposition.
- Handled media relations for Fortune 100 automotive, financial services and healthcare companies, a major bank in the DC market and a telecommunications company on a key local matter.
- Led interim NASL media affairs, including national coverage in Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports Live, and built public enthusiasm for professional baseball and soccer in Northern Virginia.
Mar 2008 — Present
Patriot Consulting VA
President
Leesburg, Virginia
Lead political and issue campaign work across strategy, messaging, media relations, grassroots organizing, volunteer recruitment, web design and technology. Services range from comprehensive campaign management to focused consulting.
Mar 2019 — May 2019
National Independent Soccer Association
Interim Director of Communication
Supported the newly sanctioned professional soccer league, its clubs and the expansion of soccer in the United States.
Apr 2014 — Aug 2014
North American Soccer League
Interim Director of Public Relations
Managed day-to-day communications and relationships with Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports Live, The Wall Street Journal, Goal.com and other national and soccer media.
Oct 2012 — Feb 2014
Virginia Cavalry FC
Director of Communication
Ashburn, Virginia
Helped create the club, including its branding and name. Led media strategy and built public excitement in a crowded sports market.
Aug 2009 — Feb 2014
Loudoun Hounds
Director of Communication
Dulles, Virginia
Led media strategy, government relations and community outreach. Results included a FanFest with over 10,000 attendees, rezoning approval for a new ballpark and an engaging web and social media presence.
May 2003 — May 2005
Storefront Public Affairs
Vice President
Led strategic communications and political strategy for major projects and Fortune 500 companies, specializing in development and arena/stadium projects. Served as primary spokesperson, built business relationships and generated positive coverage for a controversial mixed-use project and a California architect in Ohio.
Jan 2002 — May 2005
The Mills Corporation
Development Director
Primary representative for the company’s first urban mixed-use project on San Francisco Bay. Coordinated construction, leasing and design with $225 million in budget responsibility. Led negotiations with the Port, Board of Supervisors, community groups and political figures. The historic-piers proposal included a YMCA, over 200,000 square feet of offices and recreational retail.
Jan 2000 — Jan 2002
The Mills Corporation
Director of Corporate Communications
Coordinated communications for seven projects across five states, Canada and Spain totaling over $3.5 billion of development. Served as company and project spokesperson, directed PR firms and executive media relations, and coordinated web and print communications.
Jan 1996 — Jan 2000
National Small Business United
Vice President
Directed political and public affairs for the national small business advocacy organization, aligning legislative strategy, advocacy messaging and public relations.
Jan 1994 — Jan 1996
Can Manufacturers Institute
Director of Federal and Regulatory Affairs
Aug 1993 — Jan 1994
Supreme Court of the United States of America
Staff Assistant
HOW I WORK
Strategy grounded
in experience.
Clarity.
Strategic messaging, media relations and crisis communications that make complex issues understandable.
Connection.
Community engagement and grassroots outreach that build relationships with the people a project affects.
Perspective.
Government affairs and political strategy grounded in decades of work with decision-makers.
Professional skills
- Media Relations
- Public Relations
- Strategic Communications
- Corporate Communications
- Press Releases
- Lobbying
- Grassroots Lobbying
- Grassroots Communication
- Local Government Relations
- Strategy
FOUNDATIONS
Education &
foundations.
Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Science, Government
Senior paper: Departmentalism vs. Judicial Supremacy.
Football, golf team and Delta Kappa Epsilon.
Coursework: Constitutional Law.
James Caldwell High School
High school / secondary diploma studies.
Language: English, native or bilingual proficiency.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Public service.
Local commitment.
Leesburg Football Club
Coach & Board Member
Coached at challenge and travel levels.
Loudoun Hunger Relief
Board Member · Poverty Alleviation
Served on the board of a nonprofit whose work included distributing 1.2 million pounds of food supplies to 22,000 households.
Spring Lakes Home Owners Association
President & Vice President
Nearly a decade of neighborhood service, including seven years as president.
Republican Party of Virginia
Director of Communication
Directed media relations, messaging, social and strategic communications for the state party.
Professional organizations
Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce January 2007 — Present
Loudoun County CEO Cabinet April 2015 — December 2024
Both affiliations associated with The Casey Group.
PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Trusted by
clients & colleagues.
“He delivers on what he promises.”
“David is the consummate professional”
“David has my highest recommendation.”
PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
A family
of builders.
At DONOFR.IO, we bring together experience across AI, sales, marketing, and public affairs.
Meet the family ↗