Our People

Kurt Davis- Founding partner

Kurt Davis is a founding partner for FirstStrategic. Davis leads the firm’s public policy development, strategic communications, all federal legislative activities, and rural Arizona issues.

Before forming FirstStrategic, Davis served as the Vice President of Public Affairs & Marketing at Northern Arizona University. Additionally, Davis served as the Vice President of Public Affairs & Corporate Communications at the publicly traded fire and ambulance services corporation, Rural/Metro. Preceding his time at Rural/Metro, Davis served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Governor of Arizona, holding direct oversight for numerous state agencies, including the Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, and the Game and Fish Department.

Davis’s extensive experience also includes serving as the Arizona co-lead for Senator John McCain’s Presidential campaign in the 2008 cycle. Davis also served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs & Issues Analysis in the Arizona Office of the Attorney General, as a Commissioner on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party, and held appointed positions in the Reagan Administration, including the White House.

Davis currently serves as a Chairman of the Board Member of Great Hearts America, the nation’s leading Charter Management Organization, and previously as a long-time board member of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. He received his B.S. degree from Northern Arizona University. He and his wife, Janet, live in Phoenix and enjoy the outdoors and their two grandchildren, Finley and Millie.

Marcus Dell’Artino- Partner

Marcus Dell’Artino joined FirstStrategic as a partner in late 2008. He leads the firm’s state government relations efforts and is active in strategic communications and initiative or referendum campaign efforts.

Before joining FirstStrategic, Mr. Dell’Artino served as the Deputy Director of the Southwest Region for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Before joining the campaign, Mr. Dell’Artino spent nine years lobbying for numerous Fortune 500 clients, local governments, and non-profit organizations, garnering recognition as one of the best lobbyists by the Arizona Capitol Times survey. In addition to his accomplishments as a lobbyist, Mr. Dell’Artino consulted on several statewide initiatives, including Proposition 100, Proposition 202, Proposition 108, and Proposition 303. He also served as a consultant to the Arizona Republican Party, and frequently serves as a campaign expert for several media outlets.

Mr. Dell’Artino also has extensive experience in the public sector. He served as the Chief of Staff to a County Supervisor and worked for several members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation, including former Congressman Matt Salmon and Congressman J.D. Hayworth.

Mr. Dell’Artino has served on several boards, including the Maricopa County Parks Board, the City of Phoenix Block Watch Committee, the Phoenix City Village Planning Committee, and the Central Arizona Shelter Services Board. His broad experience and expertise earned him numerous accolades, including selection to the Phoenix Forty Under 40 list in 2007, and selection by the International Republican Institute to travel to Jordan to lecture on the importance of survey instruments.

Marcus is also a well-known commentator on both television and radio broadcasts about Arizona politics and policymaking. Marcus received his B.S. degree from the University of Arizona. He lives in Phoenix with his wife Meghaen and their three daughters.

Bob Charles- Director of strategic communications and legislative affairs

Bob Charles leads the firm’s Strategic Communications and Polling services, while also providing team lead on key Legislative Affairs activities at FirstStrategic.

Mr. Charles spent the last decade working in multiple disciplines within the public affairs, government, and private arenas, doing everything from managing campaigns to running state and federal legislation, to consulting and implementing communications and strategy for businesses, organizations, and candidates.

Bob worked on Capitol Hill in the offices of Senator John McCain, serving as Senator McCain’s National Coalition Coordinator for his 2008 Presidential campaign.

In addition to his extensive campaign experience, he served as Congressman Ben Quayle’s Congressional District Director and as Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Industrial Commission and Legislative Liaison at the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Bob also served as the communications leader for Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest utility.

Bob earned his B.S. degree from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and his MBA from the George Washington University. He lives in Phoenix with his wife, two children, and their boxer.

Frank Komadina- Assistant Director, Government RELATIONS and Communications

Frank rejoined the FirstStrategic team in January 2024 after serving at the Arizona State Legislature as a Research Analyst for two years. Before joining the Arizona Legislature, Frank served as a military service intern with the firm as he exited from his distinguished 11 year career in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman and Ranger.  Frank brings a wide range of experience, including working in the interagency and the Department of Defense sphere, as well as working within the Arizona legislative process.

As a Research Analyst at the House, Frank staffed the Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee along with the Government Committee, where he gained unique insights and relationships in the Arizona legislative process.

Today, Frank fills multiple roles at FirstStrategic, including leading, tracking, reporting, and monitoring legislation in support of our clients, along with working day to day as an advocate at the state legislature.  

Frank is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and serves as a board member with Wildlife for Tomorrow, a conservation organization. Frank enjoys hunting, flyfishing, and golf.  He resides in Phoenix.