OnSight Public Affairs and our partners work for businesses, candidates, and causes in the Rocky Mountain West. OnSight was founded by Mike Melanson and Ben Davis who share the goal of building successful teams and strategies for each client, candidate, organization, or coalition.
OnSight works hard to develop a plan for success by seeking the right route to achieve your goal or purpose. If you would like to learn more about us, keep reading to meet the team, peruse the services we offer, explore our multi-media success stories, read our InSight blog, or contact us directly. Let us help you find the right route to your goal.
Mike Melanson
Founding Partner
Mike Melanson is the senior partner of OnSight Public Affairs. He has lead and managed political campaigns in Colorado for over 15 years, including manager and lead strategist on campaigns for both Senator Mark Udall and Governor John Hickenlooper, as well as the only successful statewide taxing measure for children’s healthcare. In 2011, Campaigns and Elections named Mike among the “Top 5 Democrats” on their list of “Colorado Influencers.”
Mike started OnSight Public Affairs with Ben Davis on the belief that their training and success in managing projects, budgets, communications – traditional and new media – and outreach under pressure and tight deadlines would naturally benefit a wide array of projects for private, public and nonprofit organizations.
This past year, among numerous projects, Mike helped manage Colorado’s gubernatorial inauguration Colorado Can Do, helped develop polling and messaging for use across the western United States for Project New West, and worked with the Internet Innovation Alliance to bring attention to the need for increased rural broadband access. He continues to work with the Colorado Forum’s Fiscal Policy Project and advises the Hickenlooper, Udall, and Perlmutter organizations.
Mike is a licensed attorney in Colorado. Prior to attending law school, Mike was a ski instructor at resorts in Angel Fire New Mexico and Winter Park Colorado and the Director of News and Information Services at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. Mike is married to another attorney, Jacqueline Esquibel. They live in Golden and have a son who is 9 and a daughter who is 6.
Full Name:
Michael James Melanson
Hometown:
Dayton, OH
Cities Lived In Order:
Butler Township, OH; Vandalia, OH; Dayton, OH; Cimarron, NM; Miami, NM; Denver, CO; Winter Park, CO; Boulder, CO; Winter Park, CO; Denver, CO; Applewood, CO.
First Career-Oriented Job:
Working at the state legislature researching and advocating for a bill that I thought was a really bad idea. Fortunately, through the fascinating legislative process and the great American art of compromise, the bad idea was killed but some good came out of it all the same.
Best Denver Taquieria:
I don’t know about Denver but I think La Casita Mexican Grill in C-Springs is the best in the state.
Best Denver Restaurant:
Again with Denver. Why the focus on Denver? The La Garita Cash Store down in the Valley makes the freshest, tastiest hamburgers especially when served with their delicious green chiles. Rudi’s Deli in Winter Park for a “Holiday of a Bun” – a turkey sandwich with homemade cranberry sauce on a fresh-baked Kaiser roll. Finally, Mannie and Bo’s Pizzeria on South Golden road has the best pizza I’ve found out West.
Daily Soundtrack:
I have no soundtracks. I thought they went out with the 70′s. Wait. No, those were 8-tracks. I really don’t know what this question’s asking.
Song Currently On Repeat:
Again, I don’t understand this question. (It’s now clear that Ben Davis wrote these because they’re all things he thinks are cool and wants to share.) I have no song on repeat. I don’t know what repeat is.
I am kind of into OK Go right now. I don’t think their music’s that great but their videos are really interesting. My kids and I enjoy watching them over and over together. My kids are into Mumford and Sons.
Last Adventure:
Latest adventure? Running this company. Last adventure? Projecting a 12b in Winter Park and downhill biking at Sol Vista.
Next Adventure?
Sending that 12b from the ground up with no falls.
Perfect Day?
Climbing, biking or skiing with my family followed by an UpSlope Pale Ale or Great Divide Denver Pale Ale then a shot glass of Stranahan’s to sip into the night.
Favored Online Activities?
Seriously? None. If I’m online, I’m working. If I’m not working, I’m outside.
Colorado is…
Bittersweet.
Ben Davis
Founding Partner
Ben Davis is a communications specialist and creative director with OnSight Public Affairs. Starting in 2002, he has been working with organizations in the business, sport, and political industries to meet their individual goals. His expertise in public strategy and communications have been successfully used on some of the state’s highest profile issues, including the USA Pro Challenge and on the campaigns for both Senator Mark Udall and Governor John Hickenlooper.
Working his way up from knocking on doors for Clean Water Action, Ben has never forgotten the rule of being told “no” three times. He was Field and Communications Director with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group and the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. He started Davis Earned Media in 2005, managing communications and message strategy for wide variety of clients including the Colorado Conservation Voters, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Colorado Health Foundation, and the Pickens Plan.
He then went on to found OnSight Public Affairs with Mike Melanson to provide issue management, campaign strategy, communications development and public affairs services for a wide variety of clients and interests. Known for their low-key approach to high-profile issues, OnSight Public Affairs prides itself on delivering on time, with high quality products for their clients.
Prior to his current career, Ben worked as a kayaking and backpacking guide with at-risk youth in the Rocky Mountains. When he isn’t working, he’s probably spending time with his wife and daughter, or riding one of his bikes through the woods.
Full Name:
Benjamin Anthony Davis
Hometown:
Denver
Cities Lived In Order:
Denver (CO), Philadelphia (PA), Pittsburgh (PA), Carlisle (PA), Baltimore (MD), Tin Cup (CO), Fort Collins (CO), Putney (VT), Boulder (CO), Denver (CO)
First Career-Oriented Job:
I answered an ad for organizers with Clean Water Action in Denver. I canvassed 5 nights a week for a year, earning half of what I raised at the door. I still use the rule of three “no’s” before accepting defeat.
Best Denver Taquieria:
Patzcuaro’s
Best Denver Restaurant:
Duo
Daily Soundtrack:
Bon Iver, Trampled Turtles, Widespread Panic, Phish
Song Currently On Repeat:
Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show
Last Adventure:
Three weeks in Morocco by cab. It was phenomenal.
Next Adventure?
Parenthood
Perfect Day?
Walk the pooches, then make breakfast at home. Read the paper. Get on the bikes for at least three hours – mountain or road, it’s all good. Crack a Colorado beer, play the banjo for a bit, take a nap. Watch a movie on the couch. All with my sidekick, Carrie.
Favored Online Activities
NyTimes, Spotify, HBOGo, Uncrate, Chrome
Colorado is…
a lifestyle.
George Merritt
Senior Strategist
George Merritt is a respected communications strategist and former reporter with long-standing relationships in media markets across Colorado and the West. Prior to his work in communications, George cut his teeth as writer and reporter. He worked his way up from intern to City Hall reporter at the Denver Post, and he covered politics for the Associated Press.
As a consultant, he has worked with the Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association, the Colorado County Clerks Association, the Douglas County Federation and campaigns for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Denver City Councilwoman Judy Montero and Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks.
Raised in North Carolina, George made his way west via the University of Colorado, where he earned a degree in journalism because a snowboarding major wasn’t offered. If he had more time, he would summit the rest of Colorado’s 14ers and use all the gear he bought to ski, hunt, fish, hike, camp, run and golf. But he’s happiest at home in Denver with his wife, Elizabeth, and his gun-shy retriever, Greta.
Full Name:
George Mero Merritt
Hometown:
Raleigh, North Carolina
Cities Lived In Order:
Raleigh (NC), Newport (RI), Boulder(CO), New Haven (CT), Manteo (NC), Denver (CO)
First Career-Oriented Job:
I won a reporting internship at The Denver Post in my final semester of college. That fall, Editor and Publisher ran a cover story on The Post’s new editor, Greg Moore, declaring that the paper would not be hiring CU interns anymore. When my internship ended, I kept showing up and taking assignments. I was hired a few months later.
Best place in Denver for oysters done right:
Highland Pacific
Best Denver Restaurant:
Where ever friends are gathering
Daily Soundtrack:
I highly recommend the folk-rock/Americana songwriter Tift Merritt
Song Currently On Repeat:
Locust Street by the Black Crows
Last Adventure:
Sub-zero duck hunting
Next Adventure?
Taking my nephews on their first “real” camping trip
Perfect Day?
…involves a beach, any activity that leaves me worn out, my wife and time to re-live the whole thing over a cold drink as it ends.
Favored Online Activities
You mean with The Google on the intertubes?
Colorado is…
A place where if you’re unhappy, it’s a character flaw.
Anne Pogoriler
Creative Media Strategist
Anne Pogoriler is a veteran digital communications strategist, with over six years working for conservation non-profits in the Rocky Mountain West. Her experience ranges from building web sites, managing social media outlets, and implementing online advocacy campaigns to project management, branding, and online video development.
Her path to a career in online communications was full of twists and turns. After graduating from Drake University in Des Moines with a degree in graphic design and a solemn commitment to never again set foot in central Iowa (a promise later broken, but with good reason), Anne found herself back in her hometown of Milwaukee doing odd jobs in graphic design before landing Boulder to pursue a masters degree in philosophy. After balancing a couple of years’ frustrations with academia with a deepening love for her adopted home, she gravitated towards the environmental policy department, and ended up with an MA in philosophy, a graduate certificate in environmental policy, and an abiding appreciation for exploring the nooks and crannies of Colorado.
When she’s not working, Anne can most likely be found hiking, running, reading books and blogs, and starting (though not generally finishing) various projects around the house; most often, however, she’s off playing, coaching, or daydreaming about ultimate Frisbee..
Full Name:
Anne Louise “Pogo” Pogoriler
Hometown:
Milwaukee, WI
Cities Lived In Order:
Milwaukee, WI; Des Moines, IA; Milwaukee, WI; Boulder, CO; Denver, CO
First Career-Oriented Job:
Public Lands Intern for The Wilderness Society in Denver. My attempt to embark on a career in public policy sidelined when it was discovered that the most sought-after skill I had was web design.
Best Denver Taquieria:
In the spirit of the rest of the respondents, who have just answered the question they wish had been asked here, I’m going to say the best Colorado brew-pub is Mountain Sun in Boulder.
Best Denver Restaurant:
D-bar, Snooze.
Daily Soundtrack:
Hip hop, bluegrass, folk.
Song Currently On Repeat:
Everything by GirlTalk on my iPod as I train for a half marathon.
Last Adventure:
Traveling solo around southeast Asia for a month while between jobs.
Next Adventure?
Creative Media Strategist!
Perfect Day?
Bloody Mary and a mocha at leisurely breakfast, with time to read the entire Sunday Post. Time catching up with my peeps over coffee, time to read in my hammock, maybe a nap. Long trail run with my dog, capped off by beers with friends and burgers on the grill in a backyard somewhere.
Favored Online Activities?
I love the internet! People are doing such cool, creative stuff every day, it’s really inspiring and humbling.
Colorado is…
where my people are at.
Jordan Fouts
Office Manager
Jordan Fouts is the OnSight Public Affairs Office Manager. Jordan has worked with non-profits, small businesses and on various political campaigns since graduating from the University of Colorado in 2005. Her experience includes organizing retreats for victim advocates, writing grants for non-profits, managing and fundraising for a homeless shelter, compliance and fundraising for multiple political campaigns and bookkeeping for private small business clients.
When not working, Jordan likes to do yoga, ski, read the latest Pulitzer
Prize winning book at a coffee shop, go to concerts, art museums and hangout with friends.
Full Name:
Jordan Nell Fouts
Hometown:
Denver, CO
Cities Lived In Order:
Keystone, CO; Denver, CO; Dallas, TX; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Boulder, CO; Knoxville, TN; Boulder, CO; Denver, CO.
First Career-Oriented Job:
As a class project for a college psychology course I built an after-schools program for at-risk students. The program was presented to a local middle school who applied for a grant to put the program in place. I never thought a class project would move outside of campus.
Best Denver Taquieria:
El Zarape.
Best Denver Restaurant:
Potager.
Daily Soundtrack:
XX, Radiohead, The Black Keys, Beirut, Cat Power.
Song Currently On Repeat:
Likambo Ya Ngana by Franco.
Last Adventure:
Driving to and from Joplin, Missouri in 38 hours to drop off camping gear for the tornado victims. My 83 year-old buddy drove the whole time and we almost died twice.
Next Adventure?
Bridesmaid.
Perfect Day?
Attending my favorite yoga music class, reading a novel outside in the sunshine with my beloved cup of coffee, and going out to eat and to a concert with friends.
Favored Online Activities?
The New Yorker blog.
Colorado is…
in a league of its own.
