terris

<h2>Michael Terris</h2>

Partner

Michael

Terris received his professional training from some of America’s most

prestigious political media firms. Following graduation from Harvard

University, Terris joined the Washington, D.C. media firm of consultant

Robert Squier in 1985. He conducted opposition research and wrote

scripts for Michigan Governor James Blanchard’s re-election campaign and

then Florida Governor Bob Graham’s first campaign for U.S. Senate.

In 1987, Terris returned to his native San Francisco to join Clinton

Reilly Campaigns as Research Director. Terris assisted with the writing

and editing of the direct mail pieces for Nancy Pelosi in her first

campaign for Congress and produced direct mail for several San Francisco

initiative campaigns.

In the spring of 1988, Terris worked for Presidential candidate Al

Gore, Jr. in Wyoming, directing a television spot with former Governor

Ed Herschler and organizing the Sweetwater County victory over Governor

Michael Dukakis.

In the summer of 1988, Terris founded Terris Communications (which

has grown into Terris, Barnes & Walters) and signed up Angela Alioto

to become the firm’s first client. After Alioto placed 7th in 1986,

Terris surprised many in San Francisco by using creative direct mail to

help Alioto win a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Since then, Terris guided the firm as it grew in clientele and

partners through the 1990s. Today, he is actively involved in marketing,

creative, message development, earned media and targeting for a wide

variety of the firm’s clients. He remains committed to hands-on,

personal service for his clients large and small around the country.

Michael Terris lives in San Francisco with his wife Maureen and three sons.

<h2><a name="barnes" />Barry Barnes</h2>

Partner

A partner since 1999, Barry Barnes works with candidates ranging from

local government to state and federal campaigns as well as many local

ballot measure efforts for TBW Media and TBWB Strategies. His recent

clients include Congressman Mike Honda, California Assemblyman Mark

Stone, County Supervisors Dave Pine (San Mateo), Diane Dillon and Brad

Wagenknecht (Napa), Save the Bay, the South Bay Labor Council AFL-CIO,

Pacific Union College, Squaw Valley USA, and land use clients such as

Sand Hill Properties, the Macerich Company, and SummerHill Homes.

Before joining the firm in 1995, Barnes managed campaigns throughout

Northern California. In 1994, he directed a staff of 20 field organizers

as Santa Clara County Field Director in the Kathleen Brown for Governor

campaign. In the fall of 1992, he managed former San Jose Councilmember

Margie Fernandes' first race for City Council and also served as

Fernandes' legislative director for over three years at San Jose City

Hall.

In the spring of 1992, Barnes served as field staff director for the

effort to build a professional baseball stadium in San Jose. Prior to

that, he organized school bond campaigns in the communities of Fremont,

Yuba City and Moraga. Barnes was born and raised in Mt. Shasta,

California and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California

State University, Chico in 1991.

Barry Barnes lives in the East Bay with his wife Samantha Spielman and sons Abraham and Benjamin.

<h2><a name="walters" />Erica Walters</h2>

Partner

Erica

Walters is a partner at Terris, Barnes & Walters, a San

Francisco-based direct mail, general consulting and online advertising

firm serving Democrats and progressive causes nationally.

Walters joined the firm in 1998 and has been a partner since 2003.

She specializes in candidate work, ballot measures and independent

expenditures. She has participated in over 350 winning campaigns in

nearly every state.

She managed her first campaign at 19, a state legislative race in

Connecticut, but received the bulk of her early political training in

Montana working on caucus races there.

When not working, she enjoys hanging out with her stepsons and

husband, cooking, eating, boxing and running. Actually, she hates

running, but does it anyway because she enjoys cooking and eating so

much.

<h2>Greg Leifer</h2>

Senior Strategist

Greg

Leifer is TBW’s Senior Strategist and has been with the firm since

2009, where he has helped lead a number of federal, state and local

campaigns to victory. Greg brings nearly 15 years of experience as an

organizer, strategist and manager to the TBW team, and specializes in

field and grassroots organizing and targeting.

Prior to joining TBW, Greg worked across the country on campaigns in

11 different states on some of the toughest races in the country. He has

been a part of campaigns at all levels of government, from issue

campaigns to local elections to Presidential campaigns. In 2006, Greg

was the Field Director for Kirsten Gillibrand’s upset victory in an

Upstate New York Congressional District that hadn’t been represented by a

Democrat in 28 years. He held the same position in 2007 for Michael

Nutter’s historic last-to-first Primary victory to become the Mayor of

Philadelphia. Additionally, Greg has managed several races, including a

statewide campaign and nationally targeted Congressional campaign, and

has worked at field and media consulting firms.

Greg was born and raised in California’s Central Valley and is a

graduate of UCLA. He lives in San Francisco, is a lifelong Giants fan

and enjoys eating and exploring his way around the Bay Area.