Roy Occhiogrosso has left Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s employ as senior adviser, but he is returning to the Global Strategy Group, the politics and public affairs company that was his base as he advised Malloy’s campaigns for governor in 2006 and 2010.
The move raises the obvious question: Does this mean Occhiogrosso is positioning himself to advise Malloy’s campaign for re-election in 2014, even as he returns to the world of private consulting?
“I have not had a conversation with the governor [about]what role I might play in 2014,” Occhiogrosso said. “He has enough stuff on his plate now, obviously with the aftermath of the Newtown tragedy, and the budget. There will be time for campaign talk.”
Global’s nonpolitical clients in Connecticut have included Northeast Utilities, which found itself in need of beefed-up communications capacity after the prolonged blackouts in 2011. It also has worked for ESPN, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the gay rights group, Love Makes a Family.
In New York, its clients have included Con Edison, the United Way and the Ultimate Fight Championship, a form of mixed-martial arts, which are banned in New York and Connecticut.
The company, which also does polling, focus groups and market research, has long done the polling for the Democratic Governors Association. It has offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Hartford.
The state’s revolving-door law will limit Occhiogrosso’s official involvement with the governor and his staff for the next year.
“I can’t do any consulting or lobbying for clients that require me to be in direct touch with the governor’s office,” Occhiogrosso said. “Lobbying is not my thing.”
He later clarified to say the restriction applies to lobbying.
In politics, Global works for Democrats.
In 2006, Global provided media consulting to three Democrats: Malloy, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman and Diane Farrell, who challenged U.S. Rep. Chris Shays, the Republican then representing the 4th District. The firm’s work for Lieberman ended after he became an independent
It also consulted for U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand in New York.
Occhiogrosso will be a managing director, working in Hartford with Tanya Meck, who joined the firm after he resigned to work in the governor’s office two years ago.
Meck also has a pedigree in Democratic politics: a former boss is Susan Bysiewicz, the former secretary of the state.