About the Johnston Group
The Johnston Group was formed in 2009 to provide substantive government relations services to small and medium sized public entities in the Pacific Northwest.
We believe that partnerships between public agencies are critical to our clients' success. We bring a track record of success to our approach. Our team has decades of experience working in the positions our clients seek to influence and representing public agencies before local, regional and federal governments.
The Right Partner for
Northwest Clients
We operate where the decisions are made — locally, regionally, statewide and federally.
We are accessible and available to our clients on the ground in Washington State even as we do our work in Washington, DC.
We specialize in helping our clients secure federal funding and have a record of success that is second to none.
We have decades of experience helping public agencies achieve their goals.
Our clients are public service and our focus is in the public sector.
We take on a limited number of clients so we focus on your success.
We have the right relationships but, more importantly, we help our clients build their own.
Our Team
Meet the Team
The Johnston Group was formed in 2009 to provide substantive government relations services to small and medium sized public entities in the Pacific Northwest.
We believe that partnerships between public agencies are critical to our clients' success. We bring a track record of success to our approach. Our team has decades of experience working in the positions our clients seek to influence and representing public agencies before local, regional and federal governments.
Jake Johnston, President
25 years of federal lobbying experience. Hundreds of millions of dollars for local projects. A steadfast commitment to local governments. Active community volunteer and a decent pickleball serve.
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Jake combines experience as senior congressional staff, government relations for a Fortune 500 company, a Vice President for a global Public Affairs Agency and the founder of a leading Northwest Public Affairs agency specializing in federal funding for public clients. This background allows Jake to see issues from a variety of perspectives and ensure that issues and policies have a broad strategic platform.
Prior to forming the Johnston Group in 2009, Jake spent five years as a Vice President at APCO Worldwide, the global Public Affairs Agency of the Decade (Holmes Report 2010) headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Seattle and around the globe. At APCO, Jake built a government relations practice that was integrated into the consultancy’s offerings to clients.
Before APCO, Jake was the Manager of Government Affairs for Immunex Corporation, a Seattle-based Fortune 500 biopharmaceutical company. Prior to Immunex Jake worked in Congress in Washington, D.C., including positions with Representative Jay Inslee (WA), Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (CA), Congressman Pete Stark (CA) and Speaker Thomas Foley (WA).
Jake is the Co-Founder of ConnecT1D, now T1United, a nonprofit organization providing social support to people impacted by Type 1 Diabetes. He was the volunteer camp director of the ConnecT1D Middle School Retreat and is the past President of the Board of Directors for the Center for Chronic Illness. Jake also serves on the national board of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition.
Jake actively participates in community organizations with an emphasis on social justice, health access and gender equity. He is also the founder of the Community Bell Fund, an organization to provide sustainable funding support to Northwest nonprofits.
Join the team
Open positions and opportunities with the Johnston Group will be posted via the button below.
Right now, the Johnston Group is accepting applications for a part-time Executive Assistant and Client Services position. Details via the button below.
Keep checking back as we hope to announce paid internship positions starting soon.
Contact us
Interested in learning how federal lobbying can support your goals? Send us a note via the contact info below or fill out the form and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!