MEET THE FOUNDER
GEORGE HORNEDO
An Indianapolis native, George Hornedo is President of Hornedo Strategies—a consultancy specializing in government advising and political strategy. Concurrently, George is a Senior Consultant to Prime Policy Group—Washington’s leading bipartisan government relations and public affairs firm.
Prior to founding Hornedo Strategies, George worked as a Public Affairs Attorney at Ice Miller LLP, an Indianapolis-headquartered law firm, where he supported corporate, municipal, and nonprofit clients with their policy, government affairs, communications, and business development needs before federal, state, and local governments.
During the 2020 election cycle, George worked during the presidential primary as the National Deputy Political Director and National Delegate Director at Pete for America. In these roles, he managed outreach to superdelegates, state legislators, city council members, and county chairs and led the ballot access operation to ensure Pete Buttigieg qualified for the ballot in all 57 states and jurisdictions.
George’s dedication to public service has also led him to roles as Regional Voter Protection Director for the 2020 Democratic Coordinated Campaign in Texas, Mayoral Outreach and Engagement Consultant at the Obama Foundation, Senior Policy Advisor at Let America Vote, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for the pre-elect Clinton-Kaine Transition Project, and Regional Delegate Director at Hillary for America National Headquarters.
George started his career as a political appointee in the Obama-Biden Administration, serving as a communications aide at the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch.
Additionally, George serves as Political Advisor to Texas State Representative James Talarico, is a member of K Street Capital (an angel investing collective), is a board member for Stand Up Indiana and Stand Up Indiana Action Fund (a communications and research hub), and sits on the State Central Committee for the Indiana Democratic Party where he represents the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus.
George received his B.A. in Government from Cornell University, his Ed.M. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.
George is a two-time National Spelling Bee finalist and had a principal role in the film Akeelah and the Bee.
And as a certified National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Player Agent interested in collegiate sports, George can help professional and college athletes navigate various business and legal matters.
MEET THE CHAIRMAN
TONY COELHO
In 1978 at just 36 years old, Tony Coelho was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from California’s Central Valley. As a result, he knows the importance of electing the next generation of leaders. In the House, Coelho advanced quickly through the leadership ranks and served as Chairperson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 1981 through 1986. Coelho later became the first-ever elected Majority Whip, the third most powerful position in the House, from 1987 to 1989.
A life-long advocate of people with disabilities, Coelho authored the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during his time in the House. This legislation provides people with disabilities equal access to employment, public facilities, and transportation and makes it possible for them to become full participating members of society. The ADA is considered the most important piece of civil rights legislation in the past 30+ years. During his 12 years in the House, Coelho also served on the Agriculture, Interior and Administration Committees.
Since his retirement from Congress, Coelho has pursued careers in business and public service while remaining active in the disability community. After leaving Congress, he joined investment firm Wertheim Schroder & Company as a managing director and eventually served as president and CEO of Wertheim Schroder Investment Services which grew from $400 million to $4 billion in managed investments under his management.
In 1999, Coelho returned to politics when Vice President Al Gore asked him to join his campaign as the General Chairman. Coelho was instrumental in refocusing the campaign, including relocating its headquarters to Nashville. His leadership helped Vice President Gore get the Democratic nomination while winning every state primary and caucus. In June of 2000, Coelho resigned his position due to health concerns.
Today, Coelho serves on a number of corporate boards as well as is the founder of The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
