MEET THE TEAM
RICHARD LICHTENSTEIN
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
A highly regarded political and public policy strategist, Mr. Lichtenstein is a pioneer in the modern arts and practices of public affairs advocacy and strategic communications. He and the Marathon Communications team provide these professional specialties to major national corporations, real estate developers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, forging paths to achieve their goals.
Mr. Lichtenstein formed Marathon Communications in 1982 with the idea of creating a political consulting and management firm capable of providing a full range of services to both candidates and issue campaigns. He engineered dozens of electoral wins in municipalities throughout Southern California, including landmark campaigns involving ethics, elections, and police reform in the City of Los Angeles. As a result of these successes, Mr. Lichtenstein and the Marathon team became widely regarded as incisive strategic thinkers, innovative communicators, and tough grassroots tacticians who score principled wins within budget.
Those principles remain Marathon hallmarks today as the company has broadened its focus to include more generalized public affairs advocacy and strategic communications services. Achieving corporate or institutional objectives in today's highly charged public policy environment requires effective personal advocacy along with the capacity to think and plan strategically, the ability to deliver effective communications to selected audiences, and the experience to handle the media and public relations implications of all activities undertaken in support of a client's position.
Mr. Lichtenstein has built a team of skilled strategic communicators and advocates who, following his leadership and hands-on involvement in the day-to-day affairs of the firm, have earned the respect and confidence of such clients as Bechtel Corp.; Warner Bros.; Comcast; Hyatt Corporation; the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences; NextEra Energy; Target Corporation; iStar Financial; 20th Century Fox; AvalonBay Communities; RAND Corporation; the Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and the Cities of Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Santa Monica, Santa Clarita and Los Angeles. Recent Marathon successes include shepherding the Ponte Vista, Millennium Hollywood, Casden West LA, and Kohl Ranch projects to unanimous city approvals, along with securing a long-term contract extension for DFS from the Los Angeles World Airports.
Mr. Lichtenstein received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College, a Master's Degree in Urban Studies from Occidental College, and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University Los Angeles. He is the immediate past chair of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Board of Trustees, is a member of the Whittier College Board of Trustees, sits on the Fuller Avenue Senior Housing Board, and is a board member of the Coro Foundation.
SHEILA GONZAGA
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
In her more than 20 years working at Marathon Communications, Sheila has successfully implemented public affairs and broad communications programs for numerous projects across the Los Angeles and Southern California region. More recently, she has enjoyed success representing real estate developers in their efforts to entitle largely residential mixed-use projects.
Sheila has, over the years, developed a unique approach to helping steer projects to success. She’s able to help shape a narrative about proposals that can speak to various audiences. And importantly she listens in a manner that allows her to steer conversations in the direction that best meets objectives. Because of the relationships she’s cultivated with decision-makers and opinion leaders, her clients seek out her strategic counsel and they value the role she plays in helping them navigate the complex entitlement processes.
Sheila’s past experience includes managing local and statewide ballot initiatives. She specializes in communications strategy, government relations, and targeted community engagement.
Sheila took a leave from Marathon in 1997 to join the then newly formed Anschutz Entertainment Group. After conducting the community relations programs to secure development approvals for Staples Center, she built the division responsible for securing and cultivating corporate partnerships for all of the group’s properties, including Staples, the Los Angeles Kings, the Los Angeles Galaxy, and the Health South Training Center.
BRIAN LEWIS
MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR
Having worked on both sides of the news media over the last several decades, Mr. Lewis brings a unique skill set and perspective to his role as media relations director for Marathon Communications.
Mr. Lewis joined Marathon Communications in April 2003 after nearly two decades in the news media. From 1989 to 2003, he served as Editor of the Los Angeles Independent Newspaper Group, an award-winning chain of weekly community newspapers serving the Central and West Los Angeles areas. During his tenure, Lewis directed the papers’ editorial coverage in addition to reporting stories himself and writing columns. Prior to that, he worked as a reporter for the Independent for two years and for two years at the Glendale News-Press as a reporter.
Mr. Lewis works directly with Marathon account executives and strategic communications teams in devising and implementing media relations and outreach strategies for the firm’s diverse roster of corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector clients. Over the years, he has secured and steered media coverage on Marathon clients and projects in local and national publications, ranging from Curbed LA, the Beverly Press, and the Los Angeles Times to the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and CBS News. Among those clients for whom he has successfully pitched stories, placed op-ed columns, and served as project spokesman include the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Forest City Residential West, Inc., Millennium Partners, the Casden Property Group, SOLA Village, and Townscape Partners.
In addition to his work with the media, Mr. Lewis has designed, implemented, and overseen the community outreach programs for a number of development projects that have been successfully entitled in the city of West Hollywood, including Regent Properties’ Greenwich Place, Sunset Millennium, Combined Properties’ Sunset Time, and Movietown Plaza.
Mr. Lewis earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Occidental College. He is co-author of “City of Angels: In and Around Los Angeles” (Angel City Press), a best-selling children’s book that takes visitors on a tour of the diverse neighborhoods and unique places in Los Angeles.
EVAN GORDON
Vice President
Evan joined the Marathon team in the summer of 2009 after spending 3 years working for Los Angeles City Councilmember Jack Weiss. As a Field Deputy for Council District 5, he acted as a liaison between the community and local government. During his time with the City, Evan was the primary city contact and coordinator for the Los Angeles Film Festival. He facilitated the first ever Westwood Village Community Clean Up Day, and helped to earmark over a million dollars of improvements for the Westwood Recreation Center.
Working with countless neighborhood groups regarding development projects, traffic and city programs, Evan learned that the key to building and maintaining strong relationships was by conducting thorough community outreach, and earning the trust and respect of his constituency.
Evan also loves working with children. Recently he volunteered with the Koreh Reading Program teaching literacy to several 2nd graders at a local elementary school. Evan is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara with a B.A. in History.
GABE KRAMER
Vice President
Gabe joined the Marathon team in 2013 with experience in commercial real estate, government affairs, and issue-based campaigns.
During his time at Marathon, Gabe has led a number of successful projects and pursuits, including shepherding the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Frank Gehry’s 8150 Sunset project, and AvalonBay Arts District to approval from city decision-makers. Additionally, Gabe has strong experience utilizing new State laws at the local level, including the ‘Environmental Leadership Development Project’ Certification. Gabe’s work has covered legislative, for-profit and non-profit development, infrastructure, and coalition-building efforts both inside and outside Southern California.
Previously, Gabe spent three years in New York City, working first for the Union Square Partnership, one of New York’s largest and oldest Business Improvement Districts. He transitioned this into a position with Massey Knakal Realty Services, where he was involved in the marketing and sale of over $130 million in real estate investment opportunities throughout New York City. These two experiences provided Gabe with solid grounding in the legal, public policy, financial, historic, community and political aspects of real estate development, strategy and process. Gabe's career began as a Washington, DC staffer to Congressmen Henry Waxman.
Gabe lives in the Larchmont area with his wife, Giulia, and dog Lucky Jack, and almost never misses an opportunity to play pick-up basketball. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY, with a B.A. in Political Science.
JAMES MCDERMOTT
SENIOR ADVISOR
Mr. McDermott is a strategic communications consultant with decades of experience in government relations and community relations for some of the most renowned companies in Southern California, including Lockheed Martin, Bechtel Corporation, Legacy Partners and Warner Brothers.
His outstanding skills in policy analysis and communications derive from his years in California government, where James has served as a Senior Assistant to Mike Roos, former Speaker Pro Tem of the California State Assembly. James was responsible for constituent services, legislative research and speechwriting.
Mr. McDermott was a Senior Vice President of Marathon Communications for 13 years before leaving to start McDermott Consulting, Inc. He rejoined Marathon in 2008.
JASPER CHEW
ASSOCIATE
Jasper joined the Marathon team in 2020, first serving as an Outreach and Communications Intern.
During his internship, Jasper conducted background research on development projects for major real estate companies, gaining knowledge on the issues affecting communities, local bureaucracy, and the development process in a number of municipalities. His responsibilities included identifying key stakeholders and community members, familiarizing himself with the area surrounding a project site, and fully comprehending local issues in order to provide clients expert advice and counsel.
Jasper interned with Marathon while completing his time at Union College in Schenectady, NY, where he was a member of the football team. In June 2021, he graduated from Union cum laude and with departmental honors, earning a B.A. in History and minoring in Asian Studies. His experience interning with Marathon grew his interest in public policy and urban development. A Pasadena native, Jasper is passionate about shaping the future of his city and the broader region.
PAULINA MONTANO
ASSOCIATE
Paulina joined Marathon in 2022, coming from a boutique public strategy firm where she worked directly with nonprofit clients, strategic partners, and project team consultants specializing in capital campaign fundraising. Her clients at Lipton Strategies included Tree of Life for the REMEMBER.REBUILD.NEW. campaign and the American Medical Association Foundation.
Previously, Paulina interned as a Junior Associate at Mercury Public Affairs, where she supported various clients in strategic media relations, government relations, public opinion research, and community outreach. Her clients at Mercury included Arizona State University, Los Angeles County Communications, and Related.
During her undergraduate career, she carried out her own research on the accessibility of the bus transportation on campus. Working with academic and community partners, she conducted qualitative and quantitative research to complete her study. Through her research she found an eagerness to start a career with a focus on urban affairs and development.
At Marathon, Paulina supports the team on client deliverables that encompasses conducting research for key stakeholders, community members, and local government processes to familiarize herself with the client project and surrounding neighborhood.
Paulina earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Merced
NATHAN SHAPIRO
ASSOCIATE
Nathan joined Marathon in 2023 after completing the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs in Los Angeles. During the Fellowship, Nathan explored multiple sectors and public policy issue areas in the Southern California region. Nathan worked for organizations including: The Goldhirsh Foundation, Best Best & Krieger LLP, the City of San Fernando, the Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). Originally from Chicago, Nathan graduated cum laude from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio, with a B.A. in Sociology and Religious Studies. At Marathon, Nathan supports the team on its advocacy, outreach, and coalition-building efforts for renewable energy, transportation, and real estate projects.