Communications & Government Affairs

Clarity in
Complex Environments


Strategic counsel at the intersection
of politics, policy & public opinion

Terry Donelon

Terry Donelon

Owner & Founder

With more than 15 years of experience in government relations, strategic communications, political campaign management, and public affairs, Terry has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to elected officials, business leaders, trade associations, and advocacy organizations navigating high-stakes political and regulatory environments.

Prior to launching Clarion Advisors, Terry served as Senior Director of Government Advocacy at the Greater Cleveland Partnership, where he represented the federal, state, and local advocacy priorities for more than 12,000 member companies. Before that, he served as Director of Strategic Public Affairs at the Ohio Insurance Institute, representing the interests of the state's property & casualty insurance industry.

Terry's career in Ohio government began in 2012 with the Ohio House of Representatives, where he ultimately rose through a series of increasingly senior roles in that institution, serving as Legislative Aide to Speaker William G. Batchelder III, and ultimately as Deputy Chief of Staff to House Speaker Ryan Smith. In that capacity, Terry worked directly with the Speaker to oversee the administrative management of the institution and to guide the legislative affairs of the House Republican Caucus.

A proud West Side Clevelander with deep Irish-Catholic roots, Terry is a graduate of Saint Ignatius High School and The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He resides in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

What We Do

01
Communications Consulting
Message development, media strategy, public relations, and stakeholder engagement. We help organizations find the right words and the right audience at the right time.
02
Government Advocacy & Lobbying
Federal and state-level advocacy, legislative strategy, coalition building, and regulatory engagement. We navigate the policy landscape so our clients can focus on results.
03
Campaign Strategy
Strategic planning, voter engagement, fundraising counsel, and communications for political campaigns and ballot initiatives. We bring fifteen years of campaign experience to every engagement.
04
Crisis Management
Rapid response, reputation management, spokesperson preparation, and recovery strategy. We help clients weather the storm and emerge stronger.

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