Mike Smith
Mike's political career began in January 1994 when, through an association with Beuerman Consultants, he became the Louisiana State Director for Washington, D.C.-based Citizens for a Sound Economy. His charge was to lobby against a proposed federal take-over of America's healthcare system. Working across the state, Mike built grassroots coalitions and lobbied Louisiana’s elected officials. According to The Washington Post, the campaign was successful, in large part, to Louisiana CSE’s broad base of support on the grassroots level.
Following this assignment, Mike’s list of clients rapidly expanded and now includes politicians who have sought various local, state, and federal governmental offices as well as interest groups and Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T, Sprint, ExxonMobil and Shell.
Mike graduated from Louisiana State University in 1993 with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. He married his wife Heather six months after his LSU graduation and the couple now has three girls, Laura Anne, age 9, Claire Elizabeth, age 6 and one-year old Sarah Helen.
Mike has served for the past eight years as the public address announcer for events inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at LSU, primarily for the nationally renowned LSU Gymnastics program. He also donates many hours to state and national causes, including the Academic Distinction Fund and American's For Tax Reform. He is the charter president and George F. Hixon Fellow of the Kiwanis Club of Woodlawn-Baton Rouge.
Mike and his family are members of St. George Catholic Church where he is a member of the St. George Men's Club.
Darren Gauthier
Darren Gauthier joined Team MDSA in early 2002 as its Project Manager. Darren oversees the implementation of strategies that MDSA designs for its clients.
Darren came to MDSA after ten years in radio where he worked in all facets of the industry from production to on-air personality. At one time, Darren was the youngest program director for a major market radio station in America.
He is a graduate of Bishop Joseph Sullivan Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and attends Louisiana State University where he will receive a degree in History in December 2005.
Christopher Boudreaux
Christopher Boudreaux joined MDSA in February 2004 as a political intern and actively worked in every aspect of campaign management during the 2004 election cycle. He now serves as a Project Manager.
Prior to joining Team MDSA, Chris served as President of the LSU College Republicans. Under his leadership, the organization experienced record fundraising success and membership growth with club membership now totaling over 1,000 students.
Chris is a native of Slidell, Louisiana and a graduate of Northshore High School and the Leadership Institute. He currently attends Louisiana State University where he will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History in December 2005.
Bridging politics and public service
As political professionals, MDSA Strategic Communications knows how much candidates, their families and friends invest in a campaign. A credible run for office demands an investment of time and resources — nothing short of a full physical, mental, and emotional commitment to the cause is required. MDSA is there for its clients, charting a course for victory, running alongside the candidates, covering all the bases, and properly executing the strategy. Whatever your needs may be, from general consulting to grass roots organization to creating media that informs, entertains and persuades, MDSA is committed to its clients and their campaigns.
As public affairs professionals, when the campaign is over and it’s time to govern, MDSA can help you transition smoothly from politics to public service. Our experienced team of professionals can help you hit the ground running, providing policy research and analysis and issue management, and we can help you communicate your message to your constituents through media relations and grassroots outreach.