It’s no secret the world, and especially California, requires more and more energy to power our businesses, communities and everyday lives. And with population growth and the increasing demand from AI and other technological innovations, that need is only going to continue trending up over the coming years. Long story short: the energy infrastructure we have in place today can’t keep pace with the demands of the future.

The legislative session is in full swing, which means the team at Calkin Public Affairs (Calkin PA) is hyper-focused on what is going on inside the halls, rooms and on the floor of the Capitol Building.

California legislators had until February 21st to introduce bills into the current session, which will make their way through the process until October 12th – the last day Governor Newsom can sign a bill into law or veto it. Legislators and their staff are working tirelessly to gain support for their bills and generate opposition for bills with competing interests.

As I started thinking through the type of firm I hoped to build and the type of clients I wanted to work with, I knew one thing for certain: nothing would be accomplished without an incredible team. I quickly realized identifying talent with the strongest skill set, expertise and experience was critical, but also that talent alone isn’t enough. Building the right team where impressive resumes complement an amazing work culture is the real secret to success.

There’s nothing quite like the energy of a political campaign. The quick start, fast-paced action and dynamic landscape. After decades of real-world political campaign wins, it became clear we could successfully utilize this same approach in the public affairs space.

On February 4th, 2025, something big happened. With an inspiring team behind me, I started an exciting new journey and formally launched Calkin Public Affairs (Calkin PA). This leap of faith has been years in the making and brings to life the best experiences I’ve grown from my 25-year career. On this journey, I’ve seen a lot. Twists, turns, great wins, some losses and through it all— big lessons.