For Immediate Release
arnie berghoff & associates is pleased to announce that highly respected government and public affairs veteran, Chris Thompson, is joining its firm as a Senior Vice President effective January 18, 2024.
Chris has decades of experience at all levels of government, as an officer of a Fortune 500 corporation, and in the non-profit sector. He has a well-deserved reputation as a successful strategist, executive leader, and pragmatic problem solver. His strategic approach to solving public policy problems has won him accolades from elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and the business community.
Chris is uniquely positioned in Los Angeles and will expand the client services that the firm can offer. Most recently Chris served as Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. In that role, he led the transition of the Mayor’s office, including hiring the senior staff and assisting the Mayor in establishing policy, programmatic, and personnel priorities. Prior to working in the Mayor’s office, he led government relations for LA28, the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. During that time, he served as one of Governor Newsom’s two appointees to the California Privacy Protection Agency Board.
Chris has extensive federal experience as well; he worked for the late Senator Dianne Feinstein as her Chief of Staff, in addition to other roles and for the late Representative Julian C. Dixon as a Legislative Assistant.
After serving in Senator Feinstein’s office for ten years, Chris worked for Edison International and Southern California Edison in several high-profile, officer level roles reporting directly to the CEO. He led SCE’s local public affairs organization, which represents the company in every local jurisdiction in its 50,000 square mile service area.
Over his career, Chris has worked in a broad range of public policy areas. He has particular expertise in energy, natural resources, water, transportation, and related infrastructure issues.
Arnie Berghoff, Founding Partner of arnie berghoff & associates said, “Chris will bolster our advocacy services here in Los Angeles with his years of involvement in, and understanding of, federal, state and local government. His public and private sector experience sets the stage to broaden our practice to better serve our clients.”
“Beyond the obvious responsibility to advocate strongly on our clients’ behalf,” said Berghoff, our company and I have a deeply rooted commitment to serving the community. Chris’s history demonstrates he shares those values. My partners, John Howland and Jeff Ebenstein, and I look forward to having Chris be an important part of our team.”
“Arnie, John and Jeff are smart, effective advocates and I am excited to join their team. I appreciate their strategic approach and diligence in representing their clients. The fact that they are always highly ethical was important to me in joining them,” said Chris.
Chris Thompson can be reached at:
(213) 623-3736 ext. 230
