-- San Diego, CA, July 27, 2005 – Jonathan Heller, who has 18 years experience as a journalist, has been named Director of Public Relations at Southwest Strategies, a leading public affairs firm in San Diego.

He is responsible for crafting public and media relations strategies for Southwest Strategies’ clients, drawing on his broad knowledge of and experience with San Diego government, development and redevelopment issues and City Hall politics. He also has expertise in local, state and federal health and aging issues.

“Southwest Strategies is pleased to add Jonathan to our exceptional team of professionals,” said Vice President and Partner Bernie Rhinerson. “His extensive experience as a reporter and understanding of the media will bring added value to our clients.”

Heller worked as a member of the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Government Team for the past five years, covering City Hall politics, the city’s pension crisis, downtown San Diego redevelopment and the building of the Padres’ new ballpark. He also covered North County politics, county government and health and aging issues for the Union-Tribune.

Heller brings a diverse background to Southwest Strategies, having worked as an editor and reporter for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and California.

In 1999, he was one of six journalists awarded a Kiplinger Foundation Fellowship, which allowed him to spend a year studying and writing about federal aging policy at Ohio State University.

His work for the Kiplinger Foundation earned him a reputation outside journalism circles, and in 2001 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. There, Heller spent three years helping to craft policy and goals for a nationwide public awareness campaign. His work contributed to the structure of the landmark Elder Justice Act.

Heller has won numerous reporting awards, including first-place showings with the California Newspaper Publishers Association, Society of Professional Journalists, San Diego Press Club and the New England Press Association.

He holds a Master’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York, Fredonia.

SWS offers a full range of communications and strategic services for a diverse client list. SWS services include; Public Affairs, Community Relations, Crisis Communications, Public Relations, Media Relations, and Government Affairs. Alan Ziegaus, Chris Wahl and Bernie Rhinerson formed Southwest Strategies in April 2000. Each partner has extensive experience in public relations and public affairs. SWS provides personalized and strategic marketing and public affairs services for businesses, non-profits and government agencies in the Southern California region.