21 Jan A Closer Look at Sara Katz

Several exciting changes occurred for Katz & Associates in 2014 aimed at positioning our firm for the future, including Sara’s decision to promote Lewis Michaelson to the role of President and the initiation of an aggressive employee ownership strategy. While retaining her role as Chief Executive Officer and founder of the firm, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of Sara’s insights about managing and operating a small professional services firm through all of the ups and downs of the economy for the past 29 years, something which few other communications firms accomplished.

Sara believes that a key ingredient is identifying and recruiting individuals with solid communications skills who excel in the specialty areas the firm is well known for such as water/wastewater, transportation, urban and community planning, and environmental compliance. By identifying people with proficiencies and expertise that are industry-based and complimentary to each other, Katz & Associates has successfully maintained high staff retention, which provides reliability and predictability for our clients. Most of our senior team members have been with the firm for well over a decade and several for over 15 years. At the same time, Katz & Associates is always on the lookout for fresh talent – new additions have consistently helped Katz & Associates enter new markets, provide additional services and expand geographically.

Katz & Associates continues to thrive in a dynamic market, where digital media and online engagement must be seamlessly integrated with hands-on, face-to-face communications. What Sara believes has set Katz & Associates apart, however, is the genuine personal and professional satisfaction she and our staff derive from working with clients on issues that are important to communities and their quality of life. On any given day, our staff can view news coverage on key issues and projects which Katz & Associates has contributed to improving or resolving.

Sara’s enthusiasm for her work, and contributions to the communities where she works in, has never flagged. This past year she was recognized by the San Diego Metro’s Women Who Impact San Diego 2014 List and also received the YWCA 2014 Visionary Award. When asked, “What do you enjoy most about the business?” Sara responded, “We get to live our mission statement each and every day. That’s why we chose the statement, “Helping others communicate effectively about things that matter.”