TEAM

JOHN SELLEK

Founder and CEO

John Sellek is founder and CEO of Harbor Strategic, a Michigan-based public affairs and PR firm with offices in Lansing and S.E. Michigan. 

Ranked by the 2021 MIRS Capitol Insider survey as one of Lansing's the most effective public affairs professionals, John knows how to accomplish your goals. 
 
Using a bipartisan state capitol and local government network and a strategic understanding of how the media, policy and politics intersect, Harbor Strategic teams up with citizens, organizations, associations, corporations, candidates and office holders seeking to inform and influence public opinion.
 
John's skill set is based on his experiences working for two Michigan speakers of the House, a governor’s policy shop and as communications director for two state attorneys general, where he learned the real impact of public policy and legal issues that families and businesses face every day. 
 
In addition to his government roles, John led efforts on multiple statewide political campaigns, including serving as Michigan director of Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign for president, campaign manager of a winning race for attorney general, advised a winning campaign for the GOP gubernatorial nomination and worked for President George W. Bush's inaugural committee in Washington, D.C.
 
John’s knowledge of the Michigan political, legislative and media scenes, commitment to networking with all sides of the political divide and reputation as a straight shooter has made him a sought-after news analyst as well, with hundreds of media interviews since opening Harbor’s doors in 2017.
 
He’s appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Politico, Buzzfeed, Vanity Fair, The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, MLive, Le Temps, Bloomberg Quint, NPR and much more. That provides Harbor Strategic with the kind of statewide and national media contacts few others possess in the Midwest.

These experiences gave John the street cred to start an aggressive communications firm that has led many digital, PR and public affairs efforts from Washington, D.C. to Detroit & Grand Rapids, including healthcare, legal, corporate, industry and all levels of government.
 
With a background one can only earn through political, legislative and media battles, John and Harbor Strategic are known for a tireless work ethic and 24/7 engagement. 

“One of my most trusted voices.”

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- Capitol reporter

“A distinguished 

career in communications”

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- WILS' Morning Wake Up

“relentless”

- Detroit News