About

Chris Ortman is a seasoned executive with 20 years of experience in politics, government, entertainment, and non-profit coalitions, with a proven track record managing innovative communications strategies in high-pressure, politically charged environments.

 

As the Founder and CEO of Ortman Strategies, he provides strategic communications counsel to a variety of corporate and non-profit clients, as well as individuals engaged in high-profile litigation. 

 

For nearly a decade, Chris led media relations, crisis communications, and message development strategies for film and television coalitions during a period of rapid transformation for the entertainment industry. He was the Chief Spokesperson and Senior Vice President of Communications at the Motion Picture Association, where he managed high-profile media engagements for two CEOs, provided communications leadership for successful advocacy campaigns, and led rapid response efforts to protect the industry from reputational risks. 

 

Previously, Chris was an Obama political appointee and national spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he played a lead role in numerous crisis communications events – most notably, the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. He was an Executive Vice President for Signal Group, where he managed a diverse client portfolio that included corporate and crisis communications and multiple integrated public affairs advocacy campaigns.

 

He also worked for the 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee, 2009 Presidential Inauguration Committee for President Barack Obama, and the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team. 

 

Chris is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with his wife, Tomoko, and their dog, Xochitl.