Jeff Link works as an Iowa-based political and government relations consultant with a deep background in government and politics at the state and federal levels in the U.S. and abroad. Described by the Washington Post as “A top political organizer,” Link’s experience in government, grassroots organizing, paid media strategy, crisis communications and as a press spokesperson offers clients maximum service and strategic support.

Link’s work in campaigns has dovetailed with his experience in government. After successfully managing Sen. Tom Harkin’s 1996 reelection campaign, Link served in Washington, D.C. as Sen. Harkin’s Chief of Staff from 1997 until 1999. In 1999 Link returned to Iowa to obtain his law degree from Drake University. He graduated in 2002 with honors and won the National Moot Court Championship in New York City in 2001.

During law school, Link founded LinkStrategies, ran the Gore-Lieberman 2000 campaign in Iowa and began managing Senator Harkin’s 2002 reelection campaign. Senator Harkin was reelected to a fourth term in November 2002 and Link’s work in the campaign was recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants with a Pollie Award for combining technology with grassroots organizing.

Matt Paul has more than ten years experience working in public affairs at the local and state level. Paul began his career as a reporter in television and radio in Cedar Rapids. In 1994, he joined the staff of Mayor Larry Serbousek, serving as the city’s primary spokesperson. He was asked to continue in that role after the election of Mayor Lee R. Clancey in 1996. Paul dramatically increased the exposure and understanding of city government by producing the first citizen’s annual report, negotiated a new telecommunications franchise and spearheaded what would become the city’s first website. Voters in Cedar Rapids retained the city’s unique form of government in 1997 and re-elected Mayor Clancey.

In 1998, Paul was asked to serve on the transition team of Governor-elect Tom Vilsack. After inaugural activities, he joined the Administration and served in several key positions including Press Secretary, Communications Director and Senior Advisor. Paul authored and implemented the strategic communications plan of the Iowa Values Fund, which resulted in passage of the largest and most successful economic development program in the state’s history. Paul also led Governor Vilsack’s successful bid to host the 2005 National Governors Association meeting in Des Moines.

Paul also has experience in state and national politics. He served as Assistant to Governor Tom Vilsack in his successful 2002 reelection campaign, directing advance and press across the state. In 2004, Paul was tapped to serve as Deputy State Director for Governor Howard Dean’s groundbreaking presidential campaign. Paul served as Campaign Manager for Mike Blouin’s gubernatorial campaign in 2006, raising nearly $2 million dollars and securing a majority of the labor and newspaper endorsements.

Nader Halawa got his start in Iowa politics during his first year at Iowa State University, where he
coordinated off-campus voter registration for the ISU Democrats.

In 2002, Nader went to work as a fundraiser for John Norris’ bid for Congress in Iowa’s 4th
congressional district. Later in 2002, Nader joined the Iowa Coordinated Campaign as a team
canvass leader in Ames.

After leading a successful team in Ames, Nader went to Lafayette, LA to be a GOTV Coordinator
for Sen. Mary Landrieu on Sen. Landrieu’s successful re-election runoff. Upon his return to Iowa,
Nader joined the Howard Dean for President campaign. On the Dean campaign, he was one of
seven regional directors until the Fall of ’03 when he given the job of deputy canvass director for Dean’s “Iowa Storm.” Leading the Storm involved coordinating over 3,500 out of state volunteers to knock on more than 1,000,000 doors before the caucus.

After the Iowa caucus, Nader joined America Coming Together (ACT) as the Iowa Field/Canvass
director. At ACT, Nader helped coordinate one of the largest GOTV efforts in Iowa, encompassing
195 cities and municipalities with over 700 canvassers.

Sarah Dietch is an experienced and effective political consultant in Iowa. She currently serves as Research Director at Link Strategies.

Her career began interning for State Representative Steve Richardson at the Iowa Statehouse. After graduating, she started a six year career with Senator Tom Harkin working initially in Des Moines, Iowa and later moving to Washington DC. She held a variety of positions including deputy research director during the Senator’s successful re-election bid in 2002.

Returning to Iowa for the 2004 caucus, Dietch worked on Senator Bob Graham’s Presidential campaign. She later assisted on the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s, Better, Safer World Campaign raising awareness with caucus attendees and Presidential candidates about the threat of terrorists obtaining unsecured weapons.

After the caucuses, she returned to Washington DC and worked as a regional research director with the Thunder Road Group. While there, Dietch led research projects with a local focus for five of the swing states including Iowa, Minnesota, Arizona, New Mexico and Michigan.

Dietch has worked internationally with the United Nations Mission in Liberia assisting the Liberian National Elections Commission with their first democratic elections after the fall of Charles Taylor. Focusing on voter education efforts, Dietch used her skills of message development and speaking with voters in a new context and environment resulting in the election of the first female President in Africa.

Dietch is a native Iowan and graduate of Simpson College.