Les Francis is a communications specialist and public affairs strategist with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. He is a highly regarded policy and opinion leader in national political circles.
Currently an independent consultant living in and operating from his home in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Francis was affiliated with a number of Washington, DC communications firms, including one he established (The FMR Group), in 1981; the firm was a pioneer in the grassroots-lobbying field, and gained prominence for its innovative and effective constituency-development efforts. In fact, Mr. Francis and his firm won national recognition from the Public Relations Society of America and the American Association of Political Consultants.
Later, Mr. Francis was executive vice president of Winner & Associates and a principal in Winner/Wagner & Mandabach Campaigns. Later, he held executive positions with Goddard Claussen Strategic Advocacy and the Washington Media Group. He also served for five years as Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs at the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Today, Francis serves as a Senior Advisor to the Washington, DC government relations firm, CJ Lake, Llc.
Beyond his experience in the private sector, Mr. Francis has also worked at the highest level of politics and government at the national level. He was chief of staff to then Representative Norman Y. Mineta (D-CA), and Deputy Assistant and Deputy White House Chief of Staff to President Jimmy Carter. He has managed or advised campaigns for office at every level of government, from City Hall to the White House. And, at different points in his career, served as Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He also managed or consulted with dozens of initiative and referenda campaigns on a variety of issues, and in every region of the country.
Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Francis was educated in public schools there, and received a BA degree and high school teaching credential from San Jose State University. In 2006, the College of Social Sciences at SJSU recognized him with the first ever Outstanding Graduate award. And, in May, 2018, Francis was the commencement speaker for the college.
A major focus of Mr. Francis’ career and life has been spent in education. He began his career, at the age of 24, as the youngest person ever employed in a professional staff position of the California Teachers Association. Later, working for the National Education Association in Washington, DC, he was one of the original organizers of the campaign that resulted in passage and ratification of the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which extended the franchise to 18-21 year olds. For nearly twenty years, Mr. Francis was a faculty member of political communications at George Washington University, where he taught courses in campaign communications and political campaign ethics.
Mr. Francis has also served as a volunteer consultant to the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and has advised democratic movements and parties in Northern Ireland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bolivia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Bosnia.
With his extensive and varied experience in politics and government at the local, state and federal levels, Mr. Francis is a frequent source for journalists as they cover or analyze current events. He has authored and co-authored articles for many of the country’s leading newspapers, and has been a guest lecturer at several universities. He was also a founder and remains active in the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, and serves as an active member of the Tower Foundation Board of Directors at SJSU.
After more than four decades working and living in Washington, DC, Mr. Francis and his wife, Shari, now live in the Gold Rush-era town of Camino, CA. They have three grown children, nine grandchildren and three hyperactive Brittany Spaniels.