strategy.
guidance.
advice.
ex·i·gen·cy - a situation that demands prompt action
Strategic Communications. Crisis Management. Business Resiliency. Public Relations. Cybersecurity Risk-Management. These are all fundamental components of today's forward-thinking business entities. They are not only complex components of a successful enterprise but are mission-critical and must work in harmony to achieve maximum effectiveness. Organizational Risk in the twenty-first century is growing and evolving at breakneck speeds and preparing for disruptors is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Traditional, siloed methods of communications no longer deliver the results needed in today’s rapidly changing environments, and companies must approach matters from a holistic perspective. Strategic teams have to possess the right balance of both expertise and experience. Enter, The Exigency Group. When incidents occur, they create opportunities for any well-prepared organization. The Exigency Group is a global strategic advisory firm committed to equipping your company to handle its most challenging and sensitive issues while preserving and progressing the organizations most valuable assets — brand and reputation. We specialize in helping clients coordinate their next move and the most practical path forward. Whether advising on crisis preparedness, cyber risk management, business continuity, strategic communications, community outreach, brand awareness, or litigation public relations, the Exigency Group works to attain the desired results, and eliminate roadblocks. Our unique perspectives and firsthand experiences allow us to see disruptions before they can affect your brand, your reputation, and ultimately your bottom line.
Companies spend years building a brand and establishing their reputation. Professionals invested in their craft, have travailed countless hours to become exceptional. Then on cue, a crisis hits, and things can swiftly reach a point of 'Critical Mass'. We are a consulting firm that has the expertise and network to make challenging matters easier to handle. We are a 21st-century firm built to handle 21st-century business, however unique it may be. The Exigency Group is your corporate communication and management solution.
Crisis Management
business continuity
strategic Communications
cyber-security risk Management
public relations
The Exigency Group offers a dedicated team of experts in politics and policy, backed by our global communications network. Our staff members come from a wide array of disciplines including former senior government officials, journalists, campaign pros, and NGO experts. On the campaign trail, at the Press Conference, in the 'War Room', or even Up on the HIll, we help clients develop, execute, maximize the impact of their policy positions in state capitols, Washington, D.C., and overseas.
business continuity
Crisis Management
Strategic Communications
cyber-security risk Management
public relations
Sports expertise
We have been on the field, in the front office, around the court, and in the locker room. To understand the Sports world is to know that things happen at a lightning pace, and the wrong moves can derail a Hall Of Fame career overnight. While the crisis component of our Sports Division is unmatched, we offer a multitude of services dedicated to guiding and protecting the professional athlete's legacy long after their playing days are over.
Brand and reputation management
Crisis communications
Marketing and Client services
Strategic Business Partnerships
public relations
When a crisis hits the entertainment world, it usually does so in dramatic fashion. Our specialists help those in that realm avoid the catastrophic results that can often occur when unforeseen circumstances find a path to your day to day operations. We help those in front of the microphone and camera, as well as those behind the scenes, connect with their audiences' and deliver their narrative. We are emphatic about entertainment world, and we leverage our established relationships across the industry for our clients.
reputation management
Crisis Management
Strategic Communications
cyber-security risk Management
public relations
The Exigency Group’s far-reaching experience helps keep not for profit organization's issues and advocacy concerns at the forefront of the mind. Our team brings a unique understanding of the tactical strategy necessary to create the right kind of exposure for our clients.
business continuity
Crisis Management
strategic Communications
cyber-security risk Management
public relations
our leadership team
Obie chambers | founder and CCO | the Exigency Group | Exigency sports
Obie Chambers is the founder, Chief Communications Officer, and Senior Crisis Management Advisor with the Exigency Group. Over the last 20 years, Mr. Chambers has brought his unique combination of communication skills, media savvy, legal, and crisis acumen to clients facing a wide array of issues and challenges throughout the United States and abroad. Before becoming a partner, Obie was the Communications Director for Bell Atlantic Communications and Construction Services Inc and served as a partner and risk analyst with the global firm, Perpetual Investments. Obie also served as a partner and Executive Vice President of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Maxxim, Inc. In addition to his work behind the scenes as communications and crisis adviser in a number of high exposure engagements, Obie's career and story have featured in Forbes, Charlotte Observer, Business Journal and various other publications. Obie is a member of the Forbes Communications Council, a contributing writer at Capitol Standard, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Crisis Management and Business Continuity expert, and a Harvard Kennedy School Cyber Risk Management professional.
charlie Perkins | Senior director | public relations | The exigency group
Charlie Perkins, a Senior Advisor and Public Relations expert with The Exigency Group, specializes in helping companies and institutions deal with such highly sensitive issues as high-profile litigation, corporate reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, labor disputes, product liability, sexual harassment, regulatory actions and earnings restatements. Charlie served as Director of Public Relations for the Americas for Ernst & Young for ten years. He joined Ernst & Young during a time that the accounting profession came under strong scrutiny from the media, regulators and elected officials. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Charlie was Executive Vice President and head of Weber Shandwick Worldwide’s Corporate Reputation practice in New York, counseling senior executives regarding high-profile crisis situations and transactions; as well as, holding a similar role at Edelman as Chair of the firm’s Global Corporate Reputation Practice. Charlie has also served as press secretary and communications adviser in numerous political campaigns, including Rudolph Giuliani’s initial two campaigns for Mayor of New York and the Senate campaigns of Bill Bradley and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. He served as New York City’s Assistant Housing Commissioner in the Koch Administration and as a Special Assistant to former New York City Council President Carol Bellamy. A graduate of Harvard College, Charlie has an MA from the Graduate School of Journalism of Columbia University, an MBA from New York University’s Graduate School of Business Administration and a certificate from the Securities Industry Institute of the Wharton School of Management.
Garry McFadden | VP of crisis services | The exigency group
Garry McFadden, VP of Corporate Security, brings over 30 years of investigative consulting, security logistics, risk assessment, crisis management, expert witness testimony, sentence mitigation, and conflict resolution to our team. Since speaking at the White House on Civil Protection and Policing, Garry has consulted many law enforcement agencies, executive protection corporations, and legal professionals across the country and is regarded as an expert witness in wrongful convictions and officer-involved shootings resulting in tragedy. Garry has had a critical role in the logistical security planning of some the Nation’s top Executives. Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates, Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen, and former NBA Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert Louis “Bob” Johnson are just a few that come to mind. It is this expertise that has landed Garry on features like America’s Most Wanted, The First 48, The Justice Files, culminating in 2016 with him being awarded his own Investigative Discovery channel Docuseries “I Am Homicide”; which focuses on some of Garry’s most complex investigative cases and is viewed by millions of Americans while being broadcast in seven different countries. Additionally, Garry has received countless National accolades and awards from private and federal agencies alike, including the prestigious NAACP Ashanti Award, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Distinguished Service Award. Garry is a proud graduate of Johnson C. Smith and has a myriad of certifications in investigations and forensics.
bernard Robinson | executive director | Sports Development and Business affairs | Exigency sports
Bernard Robinson is a Partner and Executive Director here at The Exigency Group. Bernard applies his breadth of Communications and Sports Psychology experience to the Brand Marketing and Business Affairs Division of Exigency Sports. An entire entity designed with the professional athlete in mind, Exigency Sports was created to protect and prevent clients from adverse scenarios, both during and post-career. After his 9 year NBA and International professional career, Bernard founded The Creative Advanced Solutions and Technologies Group, LLC in 2013. The C.A.S.T. Group was a strategic and creative business IT solutions company, whose primary focus was designing customizable product placement solutions to ensure business fluidity across all sports entities and spectrums. Following the founding of his company, Bernard took on a consulting role with Bell Management International Sports Agency and contributed to contract negotiations, client acquisition/management, and International Client affairs. Bernard is a member of the NBRPA (National Basketball Retired Players Association ), a graduate of The University of Michigan and holds a degree in Sports Management and Communications, with a focus in Sports Psychology.
shari acho | strategic sports advisor | Exigency sports
Shari has 30 years as an academic and career counselor for collegiate athletes. She spent 8 years with the University of Michigan’s Athletic Department creating and growing M-PACT, Michigan’s Professional and Career Transition Program for student-athletes. Acho was also an instrumental part of the football recruiting process at Michigan and spent countless hours with parents and recruits discussing collegiate academics and athletics. In recognition of her exemplary contributions to the University of Michigan’s Athletic Department, she became an Honorary Letterwinner in 2012. Prior to being the Director of M-PACT, Shari spent 12 years as the Assistant Director of the Academic Success Program and a Football Academic Counselor for the University of Michigan. Acho came to Michigan after serving at Michigan State University (1994-2000) as the Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Support Services and Football Academic Counselor. Prior to working at Michigan State, Acho was a Learning Disabilities teacher and Athletic Director at Deerfield Beach High School (1990-1994) in South Florida. Acho served two years as a Member of the NFL/NCAA Summit (2012, 2013); and an NCAA Leadership Facilitator (2012). Shari is an advisory board member for Athleta-Ed, LLC. Acho earned her bachelor’s degree in Exceptional student education at Florida Atlantic University (1990) and holds a master’s degree in Athletic Administration (1995).
Kevin hill | business and legal affairs | The exigency Group
Kevin Hill is a partner here at The Exigency Group and heads up our Branding and Sponsorship division while having an intricate role in our Sports and Entertainment Sector. From NFL training camps to Olympic training facilities, Kevin brings his astute ability to work in pressure-packed situations to our team. Kevin's travels have taken him from Viacom in their Business and Legal Affairs department, a special consultant with the BET Network, to handling privacy compliance for the BMW Group North America, LLC. Additionally, Kevin has spent time with the Blue Flame Agency, a division of Bad Boy Entertainment, where he utilized his sponsorship and contract analytical skills for the Ciroc company. He most recently held a position as a business representative for SAG-AFTRA where he negotiated with producers, attorneys and labor relations enforcing contractual obligations for union members. Kevin's has spent time in the civil arena, and his outstanding service in New Jersey's Municipal Courts earned him special recognition from former Newark mayor Cory Booker. Kevin Hill received his J.D. from Rutgers School of Law, Newark Campus. He also holds a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Penn State University.
Jack Donson | public and government affairs | The Exigency group
Jack Donson is a Senior Advisor at The Exigency Group where he heads up our Public Affairs division. Expert Witness and Mitigation Specialist, Jack is retired after a twenty-three-year career with the Department of Justice and has received numerous national recognition. Jack has participated in national policy writing work-groups throughout the Northeast United States, and as institution resources staff with the D.C. Central Office Program Review Division. He is on the Committees for the American Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He teaches Criminal Justice at Marywood University. Donson’s perspectives have been quoted in Forbes, Bloomberg News, and CNBC. Jack Donson holds a degree in Sociology/Anthropology and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Michael Harris | senior mgmt consultant | sports operations | Exigency sports
Michael Harris, bringing strong partnerships with him from brands such as Nike, Under Armour, Fed Ex, ESPN, and Verizon to name a few, has a unique perspective as a Senior Manager in our Exigency One Sports division. Combining his years as a professional basketball player, as well as over two decades of keen sports marketing experience, Michael's creativity, and innovativeness is second to none. Michael's career was launched decades ago with two brands legendary in both sports and apparel, AND1 & FUBU, respectively. Over the next two decades, Michael would go onto represent some of the biggest names in sports, such as Kobe Bryant, Ray Lewis, Marques Colston, and Theo Ratliff to name a few. Most recently Michael's is praised for his work with NBA legend Kobe Bryant in the new biography "SHOWBOAT." Whether you are a rookie looking for your first commercial or a seasoned veteran mapping out your post-playing transition, Michael's client focus and success rate are impeccable.
William T Paige | Senior Advisor | Development and community relations | The exigency Group
William T. Paige, known to many as B.J., is a lifelong native of Prince George’s County, Maryland. William brings numerous accolades to the Community Relations department of The Exigency Group, including specializing as a Motivational Speaker, Facilitator, Life Coach and trailblazer in the field of Workforce Development. Newly named Top Forty Under 40 for Prince George’s County 2017, The Maryland General Assembly Official Citation Awardee for his Community Commitment 2017 and Citizen of the Year 2017 from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Gamma Pi Chapter. Mr. Paige proudly served in the United States Air Force and also served as the Executive Assistant to the Health Sciences Executive Team at Howard University under the guidance of President Wayne A. I. Frederick, with focus on career development in higher education. He is currently a Youth Business Consultant for the KEYS (Knowledge Equals Youth Success) Program at Employ Prince George’s and serves on several civic based Prince George’s County programs that include feeding the underserved, re-entry programs for released offenders, and Vice President of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) at Central High School. Mr. Paige is a member of the Advocate at Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), the South County Democratic Committee (SCDC), the Race Relations Committee, and a Youth Council Advisor for the NAACP – Prince George’s County Branch. He is changing the lives of the adolescents as the Founder of Boys 2 Bowties, a nonprofit mentor organization aimed to support disconnected youth through workshops, mentors, and consultations.