Who We Are

TAG principal Christie McDaniel and Associate Jill Kanzler have more than 50 years combined experience working with elected officials, government organizations, community leaders and business interests in Orange County.

Christie McDaniel, Principal
For more than 30 years, Christie McDaniel has been involved in government and politics. She began her career as a Field Representative for Assemblywoman Marian Bergeson. After spending two years in Senator Bergeson’s District Office, Christie served as Executive Assistant to Orange County Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, and completed her career with the Supervisor serving as his Chief of Staff from 1991 to 1994.

Next, McDaniel served as Regional Affairs Manager for Southern California Edison in their Orange County Region from 1994 to 2001. Her areas of responsibilities included the cities of Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach and the County of Orange. In addition, she participated on behalf of the company, with the Orange County League of Cities, the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Transportation Authority, and the Local Agency Formation Commission.

During her SCE tenure, McDaniel was promoted to Metro Region Director and served in that capacity in Los Angeles County. In this capacity, she focused on behalf of the company, the City of Long Beach. In September 2001, Christie assumed the role of Deputy Airport Director, Public Affairs for John Wayne Airport. In that role, she served as the liaison with local government agencies and surrounding communities, as well as handled legislative duties, public information and media relations, the Airport Arts Program, Ambassador Program and the Access and Noise Program.

Christie earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Long Beach State University. She serves on the Board of the Orange County Public Affairs Association, the Raise Foundation and is a member of the California Women’s Leadership Association. Christie is a registered lobbyist as required by the Orange County Board of Supervisors Lobbyist Registration Ordinance.

Jill Dufour Kanzler, Associate
Jill Dufour Kanzler has more than 18 years of experience in issues management and private property rights. Her expertise includes working directly with the community to build relationships and ascertain public issues and concerns, which is a form of soliciting and influencing public opinion.

With more than 15 years of experience in land use communications, she has served on teams that have gained numerous governmental approvals to create many outstanding new communities, resorts, retail centers, protected open space and public parks.

Kanzler has led many community outreach and public relations efforts throughout the Western United States. She works with teams to develop communications strategies that help mitigate issues and ultimately advocate for specific projects or goals. She has served such prominent clients as: The Athens Group for the Montage Resort and Spa, Lennar, The Irvine Company, Boeing Realty Company, Hearthside Homes’ and Koll Real Estate Group’s Bolsa Chica Plan, Santa Fe Energy Resources, Nuevo Energy Company, Sage Community Group and Lewis Homes Retail.

Prior to starting her own firm, Kanzler served as Vice President at Gladstone International, a leading Orange County public relations firm.

Active in her community, Kanzler is Vice Chair of Communications and serves on the Executive Council for the Urban Land Institute, Orange County. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Public Affairs Association, Women in Leadership and the United Way’s Women Looking Forward. She has served on the boards of Republican Associates and Habitat for Humanity, and she is a founding director of Orangewood PALS, an auxiliary of Orangewood Children’s Home. She also served on the Orange County Business Council's Tourism Committee.

Kanzler earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California in Political Science and International Relations.