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We are a government and public affairs consulting firm built on trusted relationships and effective grassroots strategies.  

About

Confianza Consulting, Inc. was founded by Matthew D. Ubben in March of 2001.  Confianza is a Spanish word that means “trust.”

Matthew D. Ubben, Founder/President

Ubben’s public affairs experience spans three decades and two hemispheres. He most recently lead the Florida Transportation Commission as executive director, where he has previously served as public affairs director in the late 1990s.

Ubben worked with nine Governor-appointed Commissioners from throughout the state to provide leadership to meet Florida’s transportation needs through policy guidance on issues of statewide importance and by maintaining oversight and public accountability for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Prior to the Commission, Ubben served as President of Floridians for Better Transportation, where he championed the cause of transportation investment and convened a series of annual high-profile transportation summits. Previously, Ubben was vice president of the Florida Trucking Association for five years.

Ubben’s transportation chops date back nearly 30 years to his early career in Washington DC, where he served as public affairs manager for United Technologies Corporation and the Helicopter Association International.

Having grown up in the Canal Zone, Republic of Panama, Ubben retains strong ties to Panama and has led several successful missions to Panama for Florida transportation leaders to leverage the expansion of the Panama Canal to Florida’s benefit.

Ubben also serves on the External Advisory Board of the University of Florida’s Transportation Institute. Though Ubben himself is a “Gaucho,” having graduated from the University of California – Santa Barbara, he has four Gator children and one University of Central Florida Knight.

Besides his transportation background, Ubben has extensive experience in Florida government, having served former Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan when he was Commission of Education; serving as legislative and Cabinet Affairs director for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and Director of External Affairs for the Division of State Group Insurance.

His political experience includes a stint as a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee and director of MCI’s PAC.

Ubben received a B.A. in Political Science, International Relations from the University of California, Santa Barbara.  Ubben is married to Michelle Ubben, president of Sachs Media Group, an independent full-service public relations agency located in Tallahassee, Florida.  He is the father to six children.


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On a personal note…

Although Ubben was born in San Diego, California, he grew up in the Canal Zone, Republic of Panama.  His father served in the United States Navy and was stationed in the Canal Zone during his 20 years of service.  Following his retirement from the Navy, Ubben’s father returned to the Canal Zone and continued his federal service as a Canal Zone policeman.

Ubben’s brother, Captain Ramon D. Ubben, is a Panama Canal Pilot and pilots the largest ships through the newly expanded Panama Canal.

Click on the above link for a time lapse video of my brother’s transit.

Services

Lobbying

Our firm can help clients establish solid working relationships with decision-makers of both parties throughout Florida government. We can act as your primary liaison with all levels of government or complement your existing law firm representation. We work to ensure that your message is communicated powerfully and effectively.

Strategic Planning

We can provide you with value-added strategic planning capabilities and we will work closely with you to formulate legislative or regulatory goals and winning strategies.

We can help you to better understand how your needs fit into the broader political context. We can help you to extend the appeal of your issue across partisan lines. We can help you to shape your proposal, work with you to identify champions within the government and the Legislature, and formulate a comprehensive strategy to achieve your goals.

Coalition Building

Our firm can help to organize your industry or business and reach out to trade associations, institutions, government officials and the public to assemble an interest group base in support of your issue.

Grassroots Communications

On an increasing number of issues, effective government action depends on the ability to generate grassroots support from organizations and individuals “back in the district” who share policy goals. We specialize in helping clients to identify and make effective contact with their natural constituencies (employees, customers, local elected officials, similarly situated industries, organized interest groups, etc.) to stimulate their interest and get them involved in the political process. In carrying out grassroots campaigns, we offer website and computer services, mailing list management, telephone support, preparation of direct mail and informational materials, on-the-ground organizing resources and other services.

legislative monitoring  ·  political and policy intelligence  ·  political and policy trend analysis  ·  legislative reporting  ·  political monitoring  ·  coalition building  ·  policy and political advocacy  ·  policy research and analysis  ·  regulatory affairs  ·  legislative drafting  ·  strategy consulting  ·  government contracts  ·  legislative interpretation  ·  issue management  ·  public relations  ·  media relations  ·  media buys  ·  grassroots communications  ·  corporate communications  ·  corporate publications  ·  association communications  ·  association publications  ·  demographic analytics   ·   voting trend analytics  ·  demographic mapping  ·  opinion research  ·  survey research  ·  focus groups  ·  political campaign strategy  ·  policy reports  ·  political reports  ·  internal political and policy   ·   communications  ·  external political and policy  ·  communications  ·  direct mail delivery systems  ·  capacity building  ·  political money strategy  ·  political money management and delivery

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