John Wainio is President of the San Diego Group, a full service political consulting and public relations affairs firm which has been designing and implementing winning political strategies for government entities, elected officials, committees, trade groups, employee organizations and private firms since 1995.

Prior to formation of the San Diego Group, John Wainio spent ten years as a senior government staffer for elected officials at the local, state and federal level and was trained as a political consultant while working under some of California’s most respected political strategists.  He majored in both History and Political Science at the University of California, San Diego.

Since 1995, the San Diego Group has distinguished itself as one of the region’s most successful public affairs strategy firms. With particular expertise in the areas of grassroots organizing, media relations, public relations projects for government and development industry professionals, and political campaign strategies for ballot measure committees and candidates for non-partisan office.

Many of California’s most respected organizations and leaders have trusted John Wainio to provide public relations services on their behalf, including:

1. Leading Private Firms such as Barratt American, Lennar Homes, Sycuan Nation, San Diego Chargers and Gaylord Entertainment.
2. Over 100 local elected officials
3. Trade and Employee Groups including the Building Industry Association; Associated Builders and Contractors and dozens of public safety employee associations.
4. Government Entities including the County of San Diego, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender, Heartland Paramedic District, South Bay Elementary School District, East County Fire Protection District, City of Santee, Santee School District and the Lakeside Fire Protection District.

By applying grassroots political campaign organizing strategies to implement public education programs and to build visible public support for difficult development approval applications, SDG has proven that government entities and development proponents can successfully employ the same techniques and tactics long used by activists and opponents to create the political environment and public support necessary to effect public opinions, achieve their objectives and win approval for controversial development proposals.