Keith Kamisugi

Current

Director of Communications at Equal Justice Society

Past

Associate Director for Communications at Equal Justice Society
Consultant at keithpr.com (Self-employed)
Senior Account Executive at Niehaus Ryan Wong

Regional Media Relations Manager at Verizon Communications
Information Systems Coordinator at Office of the Governor, State of Hawai'i
Administrative Aide at Office of the Governor, State of Hawai'i
Administrative Aide at Office of Senator Randall Y. Iwase
Ballot Operations Specialist at Office of Elections, State of Hawai'i

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Keith Kamisugi’s Summary

Keith Kamisugi is the director of communications at the Equal Justice Society. He was previously a regional spokesman for Verizon Communications, an account manager at tech PR firm Niehaus Ryan Wong, and an independent PR consultant.

Keith frequently speaks on topics related to public relations, business, social justice, e-advocacy and web strategies.

Past presentations have been with groups and organizations at or affiliated with: the University of California at Berkeley, University of San Francisco, Golden Gate University, The Anderson School at UCLA, Marin County Youth Commission, staff of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Public Relations Society of America, Greenlining Institute, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education, QUAD Equal Employment Opportunity Training Conference, Oakland Rotary, the SPIN Academy, the Democratic National Committee's American Majority Partnership, the Opportunity Agenda, API Justice Coalition of Silicon Valley, the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice and the Harvard Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.

Before starting a career in public relations, Keith served on the executive staffs of two Hawai'i governors, as an aide in the Hawai'i state Senate and as a ballot operations specialist in the state Office of Elections. He was chairman of the Young Democrats of Hawai'i and a member of Hawai'i's delegation to the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Keith serves on the boards of Chinese for Affirmative Action, the San Francisco Japantown Foundation and Asian Pacific Americans for Progress. He previously sat on the boards of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, Asian American Theater Company, Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, American Marketing Association of Honolulu, Japanese American Citizens League of Honolulu, Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, and on the Bishop Museum Advisory Council.

Keith Kamisugi’s Experience

Director of Communications

Equal Justice Society

(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

August 2007 — Present (1 year)

As director of communications, Keith is responsible for media relations, online strategies and organizational technology.

The Equal Justice Society, co-founded and led by Eva Paterson, is a national organization of scholars, advocates and concerned individuals advancing innovative legal strategies and public policy for enduring social change. We generate critical analysis on issues of race and social justice through research, public education and bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Our goal is to reshape jurisprudence to ensure that the rights of all are expanded, rather than diminished, by our courts and policy makers.
Associate Director for Communications

Equal Justice Society

(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

October 2005 — August 2007 (1 year 11 months)

As associate director for communications and development, Keith is responsible for media relations, online strategies and organizational technology.

The Equal Justice Society, co-founded and led by Eva Paterson, is a national organization of scholars, advocates and concerned individuals advancing innovative legal strategies and public policy for enduring social change. We generate critical analysis on issues of race and social justice through research, public education and bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Our goal is to reshape jurisprudence to ensure that the rights of all are expanded, rather than diminished, by our courts and policy makers.
Consultant
keithpr.com (Self-employed)

(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Public Relations and Communications industry)

March 2002 — October 2005 (3 years 8 months)

Clients included Tiny Pictures, Venturi Wireless, Feeva, Zinio, Porter Novelli, MediaLive International, Asian American Journalists Association, UNITY Journalists of Color Inc., Equal Justice Society, Minami Lew & Tamaki LLP, Woo & Associates, The Foundation Incubator, Hoike, Banter, Claria Corporation, Cognos, BlueKite, IBM Pacific
Senior Account Executive

Niehaus Ryan Wong

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

November 2000 — March 2002 (1 year 5 months)

Before becoming an independent consultant, Keith was an account manager with South San Francisco-based Niehaus Ryan Wong (NRW), a technology public relations firm. His clients at NRW included BlueKite, Converge, The Gator Corporation and Alphablox. NRW, which CNET called a "pioneer among public relations firms," ceased operations in March 2002.
Regional Media Relations Manager

Verizon Communications

(Public Company; VZ; Telecommunications industry)

November 1997 — November 2000 (3 years 1 month)

Served as regional spokesman for then-Fortune 10 Verizon Communications, representing the company on issues relating to voice, data, wireless video, broadband and directory services, regulatory, Y2K and community issues. Worked extensively on merger communications in same position with GTE Hawaiian Tel. Frequently quoted in local media coverage on telecom, technology, utility and corporate/business issues.
Information Systems Coordinator

Office of the Governor, State of Hawai'i

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Executive Office industry)

January 1995 — November 1997 (2 years 11 months)

Administration of Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano. Responsible for all IT and telecom functions in the Executive Chambers, attached agencies and Neighbor Island liaison offices.
Administrative Aide

Office of the Governor, State of Hawai'i

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Executive Office industry)

May 1994 — January 1995 (9 months)

Administration of Governor John D. Waihee III. Responsible for various administrative duties under the direction of the Executive Assistant, including the office's compliance with the state Uniform Information Practices Act.
Administrative Aide

Office of Senator Randall Y. Iwase

(Government Agency; 51-200 employees; Legislative Office industry)

January 1993 — May 1993 (5 months)

Part-time session staff for state Sen. Randy Iwase, chairman of the Planning, Land and Water Use committee; responsible for various duties including research, writing and constituent relations. This was a five-month position; the Hawai'i state legislature is only in session from January through May.
Ballot Operations Specialist

Office of Elections, State of Hawai'i

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Executive Office industry)

May 1992 — December 1992 (8 months)

Responsible for planning, production, packaging and delivery of more than three million ballot pieces for statewide election. Also designed ballot education brochures and performed various duties as part of the Ballot Operations Team. This was a temporary position.