Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
Gordon C. James Public Relations, a family-owned agency based in Arizona, is celebrating 35 years of providing communications and public relations services to clients across the state and nation.
Gordon James officially opened the agency on Dec. 1, 1990, after serving in the administration of President George H.W. Bush.
Working from a small communal office on the third floor of the Old Ebbitt Grill building in Washington, D.C., he arrived with five legal-sized boxes of schedules and papers from the White House, expecting days of work to unpack. By noon, everything was shelved and the firm was open for business.
His first assignment was serving as the White House liaison for Arnold Schwarzenegger during the “Great American Workout” on the South Lawn.
In the years that followed, Mr. James opened the firm’s Phoenix location in 1993. He continued to serve at the national level, including under President George W. Bush, where he helped organize eight White House Easter Egg Rolls and spent five months in Iraq during the return to sovereignty, all while growing the firm and expanding services for clients nationwide.
According to a press release, the agency has earned recognition for its work in media relations, public affairs, crisis communications, event management and social media services for nonprofits, small businesses and corporate clients.
“This milestone is deeply meaningful to me, not only as a business owner but as a family,” said Founder and President Gordon James. “I never imagined that 35 years later we’d still be in business and helping so many organizations with local and national recognition.”
Over the years, the firm has received multiple Copper Anvil awards, including Agency of the Year in 2024. Its work has supported nonprofits and companies launching initiatives that influence Arizona’s business and community landscape.
“Building this agency alongside Gordon has been one of the greatest adventures of my life,” said Lisa James. “Our kids grew up doing homework in our offices while we prepped clients, now our 2-year-old granddaughter walks these hallways. It’s always been a family endeavor.
Then, during the 2008 recession and COVID in 2020, the outlook was uncertain, but we doubled down. That’s been the key to our resilience. We work hard, and we focus on impeccable service.”
