ICS is a Northern California-based consultancy providing issue management, strategic planning, policy and crisis communications, and economic development services. We offer clients exclusively senior-level practitioners who have decades of experience solving challenges, moving agendas, managing partnerships, and protecting reputations on high-stakes issues and mission critical projects. Our clients include public agencies, business associations, coalitions, foundations and nonprofit organizations.
Our Services
In an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world, ICS specializes in delivering integrated consulting services that help our clients navigate change, better understand their operating context, set strategies with buy-in, build durable partnerships, communicate clearly, and act decisively. Our deep experience in public policy, politics, issue management and crisis communication helps our clients address threats from government action, litigation, media investigations, community upheaval, and other disruptions to normal operations.
ISSUE MANAGEMENT
We help clients engage in policy debates and other high-stakes issues by providing integrated public affairs services from research assessment, ally development, messaging, media training, communications and strategic support.
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
We work with leaders and organizations at every step of the crisis life cycle to develop messaging and strategies to mitigate reputational risks during periods of transition or disruption.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
A clear and compelling organizational strategy is more essential than ever. We have the experience and tools to help leaders diagnose challenges, unlock opportunities, and gain alignment around a flexible strategy for near-term performance and long-term impact.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
We gather and synthesize research and organize stakeholders to set a clear vision for growth that is inclusive, data-driven, and sustainable and deliver a realistic roadmap to carry it out.
PROJECT FACILITATION
Institutions lean on ICS to bring together affected stakeholders, solve problems, and ensure progress to get capital projects and other mission-critical initiatives over the finish line.
Our Expertise
We have sectoral expertise on issues relating to education, insurance and liability, energy, public finance, healthcare, economic development, labor and employment, public safety, and water resources.
EDUCATION
Issue management and reputational communications for public and private universities, community colleges, and K-12 school districts.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Planning and implementation of targeted growth initiatives, emphasizing the triple-bottom line.
INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
Issue management on legislative and regulatory issues related to workers’ compensation and civil liability.
LABOR AND WORKFORCE
Research, facilitation and communications counsel on workforce, collective bargaining and personnel issues.
ENERGY
Renewable energy project approvals and transmission infrastructure permitting.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Issue and reputational communications and strategy support for public safety agencies.
PUBLIC FINANCE
Communications and campaign management on assessment districts, tax measures and public project financing.
LAND USE
Outreach and media relations to support planning, and community outreach for master plans and redevelopment.
HEALTHCARE
Strategic planning and communications counsel for health plans, providers, drug manufacturers and health foundations.
WATER RESOURCES
Strategic planning and issue management for water districts on supply, conveyance and conservation issues.
Our Clients
Who We Are
Formed in 2016, the ICS partners leverage decades of professional experience to help our clients achieve their goals. This includes senior positions with Fortune 50 corporations, community-based nonprofits, advocacy organizations, government offices, and global consultancies.
Jerry Azevedo has nearly 30 years of consulting experience at senior levels of government, industry and nonprofits throughout the United States. He specializes in issue management, organizational strategy, research analysis, public policy and advocacy communications, crisis and reputation management, and media relations.
Bill Mueller served for 12 years as CEO for Valley Vision, a regional leadership nonprofit serving the six-county Sacramento region, after decades of holding senior roles in business and government. A highly-respected leader, Bill specializes in strategic planning, facilitation, economic development, partnership development, and leadership coaching.
ICS co-founder and Senior Counselor Jose Hermocillo has been consistently recognized as an influential leader in public policy advocacy, strategic communications and crisis management. Jose pioneered the application of campaign tactics to public policy debates and has served as senior strategist on dozens of high-profile public policy issues in California and elsewhere.
We offer clients exclusively senior-level practitioners who have decades of experience solving challenges and protecting reputations on a wide range of issues.
OUR ADDRESS
3031 Stanford Ranch Road, Suite 2209, Rocklin, CA 95765
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