Public Affairs October 2025 Update
Protecting our Elections: Polling
Echo Canyon was proud to support the Democracy Defense Project in amplifying their most recent polling data which showed that Arizona voters are more confident in the 2024 election results than compared to 2020. That data, fielded by National Research Inc., surveyed Arizona voters on prominent issues this election cycle including trust in national and local elections.
We are grateful to the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, Flinn Foundation for hosting the event and its Vice President, Ms. Dawn Wallace, and the DDP Arizona Board Members, Congressman Salmon and Representative Hernandez for their time.
"I applaud our local leaders across the state who have worked tirelessly each election cycle to oversee free and fair elections," said Congressman Matt Salmon. "Although voter confidence is increasing in Arizona's elections, there are still emerging threats such as foreign adversaries and misinformation on social media that voters on both sides of the aisle have identified as threats to election integrity. We are at a pivotal time in our Country and it's important that we work together on constructive policy issues rather than create more divisiveness.
"Building confidence in our election process is vital to protecting our democracy," said Representative Daniel Hernandez. "Misinformation from various elected leaders since 2020 has created unnecessary confusion and distrust among voters. I am pleased to see that the efforts from many local leaders across the state to share accurate information is increasing voter confidence leading into the 2026 election."
View the polling data HERE.
Echo Canyon in the Community: A Simple Reminder of What Matters
Matt Kenney, President of Public Affairs
One of the most rewarding parts of this year has been sponsoring my daughter’s softball team. Every week, families from all walks of life gather at the field — standing for the anthem, cheering for their kids, and connecting as neighbors. Seeing “Echo Canyon Consulting” on the back of those jerseys is a small thing, but it means a lot. It’s a reminder that community isn’t built in boardrooms or on social media — it’s built in moments like these, where people show up, support one another, and take pride in something bigger than themselves.
Experiences like this also reinforce why local businesses and organizations play such a vital role in the fabric of our communities. When companies choose to give back, whether through sponsorships, volunteerism, or local investment, they help strengthen the trust and shared purpose that keep neighborhoods thriving. These efforts don’t just build goodwill; they create real connections and demonstrate that leadership means more than just professional success, it means showing up where it matters most.
At Echo Canyon, we believe that public affairs begins with people. The conversations we have at the ballpark, the relationships we build through shared experiences, and the example we set for our kids all reflect the kind of society we want to preserve. Investing in our communities reminds us that policy and politics ultimately exist to serve people, their families, their livelihoods, and their ability to come together. In that sense, a simple softball game can say more about the strength of a community than any headline ever could.
Echo Canyon in Washington: Bringing Arizona’s Voice to the Nation’s Capital
Matt Kenney, President of Public Affairs
Every few weeks, I travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with companies, trade associations, and national organizations who want to better understand what’s really happening on the ground in Arizona. These trips are about more than briefings or policy updates — they’re about helping decision-makers see the people and priorities that drive our state’s growth. From energy and water to housing and workforce, Arizona is shaping the future of the American West, and it’s important that our story is told by those who live it every day.
Too often, conversations in Washington overlook what matters most to local communities — the small businesses navigating new regulations and the employers working hard to expand opportunities here at home. My goal in these meetings is to bridge that gap: to bring the voices, values, and common sense of Arizonans into rooms where national decisions are made.
Through these conversations, Echo Canyon helps ensure that Arizona’s experiences and challenges inform national policy debates. We bring real-world context to complex issues, reminding policymakers that the decisions made in D.C. have direct, tangible impacts on communities in the Southwest. Whether it’s explaining how energy regulation affects personal utility bills, how federal permitting shapes Arizona’s economic growth, or how border and water policies influence everyday life, we make sure Arizona’s perspective isn’t just heard — it’s respected and reflected in the outcome.
At Echo Canyon, we believe effective public affairs starts with understanding both the local and national landscapes. By helping leaders in D.C. see Arizona through the eyes of its people, we’re not just advocating for our clients — we’re ensuring that Arizona’s unique perspective continues to shape the policies and partnerships that define our future.
Echo Canyon in the Community: Service, Perspective, and Purpose
Matt Kenney, President of Public Affairs
Earlier this month, I joined former Navy SEAL Sam Mackey and former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on their Take It Outside Podcast for a special 9/11 conversation about service, sacrifice, and the call to something greater. We reflected on how that day — and the years that followed — inspired both of us to serve in uniform and later to stay engaged in civic life. Two decades later, those lessons still matter: that unity can emerge from tragedy, that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off, and that political violence has no place in a country built on free expression and shared responsibility.
The outdoors has always been a grounding force for both veterans and citizens alike — a place where perspective comes naturally and where we remember what we’re protecting. Conversations like this remind me that civic engagement isn’t just about politics; it’s about stewardship — of our communities, our freedoms, and each other. At Echo Canyon, we believe leadership means staying connected to that sense of purpose, finding common ground, and continuing to serve in ways that strengthen the nation we love.
Employee Spotlight: Denise Parker
Keeping our ear close to the ground is part of what makes us nimble and effective partners for our clients. Echo Canyon Consulting regularly engages in decision-maker and policy-setting forums hosted by diverse business associations throughout the state of Arizona. Our Staff Assistant, Denise Parker, joined industry and government patrons in driving meaningful connections for the clients she helps support.
Denise joined the Greater Phoenix Chamber for a timely dialogue on important considerations within the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill so as to support key messaging efforts. These conversations have also allowed Denise to remain at the tip of the spear in sharing key insights with internal and external stakeholders as it pertains to the evolving needs of artificial intelligence and the growing data center market.
Denise has also been passionately involved in building meaningful connections with members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing our firm’s strength in solving critical issues that impact all Arizonans. The annual Datos Summit hosted by the chamber, provided us with meaningful metrics that we utilize to drive data driven decisions for those we work with. As Denise puts it, she “was particularly moved by Judy Robles’ story about her son Anthony Robles, an Arizona State University wrestling athlete who overcame what others described as a disadvantage - having one leg.” His personal account was made into the movie Unstoppable released in 2024 and is a story of the tenacity and grit that Arizonans exhibit regularly and is part of the foundation that forms Echo Canyon Consulting.
These are just a few examples of how the work that Denise provides daily directly impacts and informs the product we deliver for our clients. Through her personal connections and professional passion, Denise leads our events calendar, identifying meaningful forums where we can promote the positions of our clients while also expanding their influence through innovative and tailored approaches.
