Columbus, Ohio – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announces the firm will be opening an Ohio office with the addition of Jai Chabria, a long-time adviser to Ohio Governor John Kasich, as managing director.
“Jai Chabria’s extensive knowledge of the Ohio political landscape has made him one of the most valuable political advisers in one of the most important states in the country,” said Mike DuHaime, a partner at Mercury. “There is no doubt that Jai’s public and private sector experience will be a tremendous asset for our clients and help us hit the ground running as we build our business in Ohio.”
Chabria is currently assisting the Ohio Republican Party as Cleveland prepares to host the 2016 Republican National Convention this summer. He most recently worked as a senior adviser to Governor Kasich until February 2016.
“I’m excited about joining such a well-respected firm and helping Mercury expand its presence here in Ohio,” said Chabria. “Having been fortunate to have worked at the highest level of state government, I’m looking forward to using my business background and crisis management experience to help clients achieve success.”
Chabria has worked for Governor Kasich for the last two decades in several of his campaigns, on Wall Street and in his administration. Under Governor Kasich, Chabria served as Head of Personnel, recruiting more than a dozen cabinet members and senior staff. He also oversaw all gubernatorial appointments. Additionally, he provided strategic advice during the biennial budget process and helped establish JobsOhio, an innovative non-profit corporation that is dedicated to creating jobs and attracting new businesses to the state.
Chabria helped oversee the state’s response to multiple emergencies during his time in the Kasich administration, including the Toledo water crisis, the Ebola scare in Northeast Ohio in 2014 and a statewide power outage in 2012. In addition to his state government experience, Chabria worked in the private sector providing strategic advice in asset acquisitions and also in investment banking.
Chabria is a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He is also a contributor to POLITICO’s “Insider Caucus”.
He lives in Powell, Ohio with his wife and two children.
Mercury, a high-stakes public strategy firm, continues to expand nationwide and across the globe, most recently through the addition of offices in London and Mexico City.