Cross-Sector Expertise That Drives Results
Terry Lee brings a rare combination of labor organizing leadership, Fortune 500 corporate communications experience, and federal government relations background to Garvey Labs. His career trajectory—from the Office of the Vice President to Deputy National Director for Communications at SEIU—provides unparalleled insight into the intersection of strategic communications, public policy, and community engagement.
This diverse background enables Terry to understand and navigate multiple stakeholder perspectives simultaneously, creating communications strategies that build bridges between seemingly opposing interests and drive measurable results for clients across renewable energy, digital infrastructure, labor organizing, and social justice sectors.
Current Leadership Role
Leadership Roles (2020-2025)
Terry Lee served in dual leadership capacities that uniquely positioned him at the intersection of labor advocacy and renewable energy development. As Deputy National Director for Communications at America's fastest-growing union, he oversaw brand development, public policy messaging, and strategic communications across earned media, paid media, digital platforms, and public forums for 2 million members nationwide. Simultaneously, his role as Strategic Advisor for Public Affairs and Community Engagement for a large-scale renewable energy development provided critical insight into the community engagement challenges facing the deployment of clean energy. This dual expertise enabled Terry to bridge the traditionally complex relationship between labor interests and renewable energy projects, creating communications strategies that advanced both worker priorities and climate goals while building authentic community support for sustainable infrastructure development.
Strategic Oversight Areas:
- Executive Communications
Message development for union leadership - Public Policy Communications
Legislative advocacy and policy campaigns - National Media Relations
Securing coverage advancing worker priorities - Social Justice Communications
Intersectional messaging on equity and justice
Specialized Communications:
- Environmental Communications
Green jobs and climate justice advocacy - Immigration Communications
Supporting immigrant worker rights - Capital Stewardship Communications
Responsible investment messaging - Crisis Communications
Rapid response and reputation management
What Sets Me Apart
Labor Authority
Senior leadership role at SEIU provides authentic credibility in labor communications, worker organizing, and union-management relations that generic consultants lack.
Corporate Credibility
Proven track record providing strategic counsel to Fortune 500 clients including Microsoft, AT&T, Toyota, Eli Lilly, and Novartis during high-stakes situations.
Government Experience
Federal and local government communications experience, including the Office of the Vice President and DC Government leadership roles.
Regulatory Expertise
Successfully managed complex regulatory and legislative campaigns across multiple industries during periods of rapid change and stakeholder conflict.
Career Highlights
Career Overview
Strategic Communications & Public Policy Leadership
25+
Years Experience
8
Leadership Positions
3
Industry Sectors
2M+
Union Members Served
Deputy National Director for Communications, SEIU
Impact: Leads strategic communications for 2 million member union during historic organizing wins and legislative victories.
Scope: National brand development, policy messaging, executive communications, and crisis management.
Senior Director, Five Corners Strategies
Achievement: Directed national, state, and local regulatory campaigns for cannabis industry clients during explosive growth period.
Value: Proved ability to navigate emerging industries, complex regulations, and diverse stakeholder coalitions.
Vice President, Walker Marchant Group
Clients: Eli Lilly, Novartis, Toyota Motors, Tyco International, Walgreens, Private Equity Council
Expertise: Public policy communications, crisis management, and strategic counsel during challenging periods.
Director, Equals Three Communications
Innovation: Pioneered social media marketing and multicultural communications for Microsoft, AT&T, Cisco, and Coors.
Leadership: Directed multicultural marketing practice during early adoption of digital strategies.
Government Communications Director, Executive Office of The Mayor, District of Columbia
Scope: Led communications for Deputy Mayor and nine agencies serving children, youth, families, and elders.
Major Project: Directed citywide community engagement and public support campaign for the Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium development, securing DC City Council and Zoning Commission approvals in 2005.
Experience: Large-scale infrastructure project approvals, government stakeholder management, community relations, public sector communications, and municipal policy advocacy.
Communications Specialist, Office of the Vice President of the United States
Historic Role: Developed community-based digital marketing programs in twelve empowerment zone cities.
Innovation: Pioneered digital equity communications for Clinton Administration's Internet Access initiatives.
Senior Associate/Director, GMMB
Foundation: Directed corporate partnership and social marketing practices.
Impact: Built expertise in purpose-driven communications and corporate social responsibility.
The Garvey Labs Advantage
Stakeholder Navigation Expertise
Terry's unique career path—from corporate boardrooms to union halls to government offices—enables him to understand and bridge diverse stakeholder perspectives that would challenge other consultants. This cross-sector experience is essential for complex projects involving multiple constituencies.
Crisis Prevention & Management
Extensive experience managing high-stakes communications for Fortune 500 companies, labor disputes, and regulatory challenges. Terry's approach focuses on proactive communications that prevent crises while maintaining readiness for rapid response when needed.
Policy Communications That Drive Outcomes
Deep expertise in translating complex policy issues into compelling public communications. From cannabis regulation to labor rights to digital equity, Terry has successfully influenced policy outcomes through strategic messaging and stakeholder engagement.
Innovation in Community Engagement
Early pioneer in social media marketing, multicultural communications, and digital equity initiatives. Brings innovative approaches to traditional community engagement challenges, particularly in renewable energy and infrastructure development.
Authentic Relationship Building
From empowerment zone communities to C-suites to union organizing committees, Terry builds genuine relationships that enable effective communications and sustainable outcomes. This authenticity is crucial for long-term project success.
Communication Philosophy
"After 25+ years in strategic communications, I've learned that successful projects aren't just about perfect messaging—they're about building authentic relationships between organizations and the communities they serve. Whether it's a renewable energy development, a labor organizing campaign, or a social justice initiative, lasting success comes from understanding all stakeholders and creating communications that build bridges, not walls."— Terry Lee, Founder, Garvey Labs
Core Principles
- Authenticity Over Spin: Genuine engagement builds trust; manipulation destroys it
- Stakeholder Inclusion: Better outcomes emerge when all voices are heard and valued
- Proactive Engagement: Early, transparent communication prevents conflicts and delays
- Community-Centered Approach: Projects succeed when communities see genuine benefits
- Results-Driven Strategy: Communications must drive real-world outcomes, not just coverage
Why Garvey Labs, Why Now
Terry founded Garvey Labs to apply his diverse experience to the organizations and challenges that matter most in our current moment: accelerating renewable energy development, building sustainable digital infrastructure, strengthening worker power, and advancing social justice.
"We're at a critical inflection point where the success of these vital initiatives depends on sophisticated communications and genuine community engagement. Generic consultancies don't understand the nuanced stakeholder dynamics involved in these sectors. Garvey Labs brings the specific expertise, authentic relationships, and proven methodologies needed to navigate these challenges successfully."
Today's Focus Areas
Renewable Energy
Accelerating clean energy deployment through effective community engagement
Green Data Centers
Positioning sustainable digital infrastructure for community acceptance
Labor Organizing
Centering worker voices in an era of renewed union strength
Social Impact
Advancing justice and equity through strategic communications
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're developing renewable energy projects, building worker power, advancing social justice, or positioning sustainable digital infrastructure, Terry brings the cross-sector experience and proven expertise to help you achieve your goals.
Discuss Your Project
Schedule a consultation to explore how Garvey Labs can support your strategic communications and community engagement needs.
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