David La Torre
Founder David La Torre is a well-regarded public affairs consultant and public speaker who has served as a media strategist and spokesperson for a number of high-profile clients. His client list covers a wide array of companies and organizations, including k12 Inc., Bion Environmental Technologies and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.
“We enjoy a challenge,” David said. “Our clients approach us with very different needs and expectations. That helps to invigorate our team. We really dig in to each project to formulate new communications strategies that help our clients succeed.”
David’s work has earned several honors. He was named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” business professionals by Central Penn Business Journal, and Harrisburg magazine named him a “Pennsylvania Mover and Shaper.”
He has run successful public affairs campaigns, providing counsel for a long list of businesses and organizations that includes LeadingAge PA, Constellation New Energy, Pennsylvania Builders Association, and the Meadows Racetrack & Casino.
An experienced public speaker, David has spoken to a number of organizations, including the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police and Corrections USA. He recently served as the keynote speaker at an international public affairs conference in Budapest, Hungary.
David began a career in public service under Gov. Tom Ridge, serving in the communications office as a spokesman and chief speechwriter. David was later named press secretary to Gov. Mark S. Schweiker. As press secretary, he directed communications for the sixth-largest state in the nation and successfully handled an international press corps during the July 2002 dramatic rescue of nine miners at Quecreek, Somerset County.
A former journalist, David won several awards covering government and politics for Pennsylvania newspapers including The (Allentown) Morning Call and York Dispatch/York Sunday News.
Losing several family members to diabetes, David previously served as chairman of the Central Pennsylvania Diabetes Walk. He is also a member of the inaugural “Honorary Alumni” class at Harrisburg University and a board member of Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania.
David holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis University and a master’s from Ball State University. He enjoys living in his hometown of Harrisburg with his wife, Jessica, and children, Gus and Stella. When he isn’t working, David enjoys exercising, boating, reading and collecting books.
Kara Luzik
Kara’s diverse background brings a unique set of skills to the La Torre Communications team. A technology expert, she manages the firm’s social media accounts and helps clients develop social media, website and Internet branding strategies to connect with their target audiences. She also has extensive experience in event planning ranging from large, statewide conferences to small-scale community events.
Kara began her career in the communications department of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. While there, she helped the party enhance its online presence with the redesign of its website and the launch of its blog.
She then moved to Pennsylvania’s Capitol Hill, where she became a staffer for state Sen. Mike Folmer. Assisting the senator in strengthening constituent relations, Kara helped coordinate several key community outreach events, including a public safety grant seminar for fire, police and EMS personnel to broaden their understanding of available funding.
Kara also gained experience as a research associate with the Commonwealth Foundation, a nonprofit public-policy research group. She helped the organization publicize its messages by composing public-policy reports, op-eds and letters to the editor.
An active member of her community, Kara coordinates the 9-11 Never Forget Project at her alma mater, Halifax High School. The project is an annual memorial of 3,000 American flags, each representing a life lost in the tragic attacks. She introduced the project to Halifax in her sophomore year and, upon graduation, became advisor to the student club that produces the project.
Kara has received recognition from the industry’s premier professional organizations: the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators.
She graduated summa cum laude from Elizabethtown College with a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications.
In her free time, Kara can be found swimming, running and weight training at the gym; in the kitchen experimenting with healthy recipes; and at Citizen’s Bank Park cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies.
Christy Young
With more than 15 years of experience in communications and public relations, Christy Young is a top-notch professional who specializes in writing, editing and media relations. Her mission is to make sure her clients’ public messages and written materials are as professional as the products and services they offer.
Christy started her communications career as a television journalist. She was an anchor and producer at WUTR in Utica, N.Y.; a reporter at WTAJ in Altoona, Pa.; and a bureau chief for WDBJ in Roanoke, Va. Her work on a special report on education earned her a New York State Broadcasters Association Award for Excellence in Broadcasting.
Christy put her journalism experience to use when she went to work for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She handled public relations for several state agencies, ultimately serving Govs. Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker in the Governor’s Press Office. There she served as Editor of the Commonwealth News Bureau, responsible for all news releases from the Governor’s Office and every state agency. She was part of the team that developed and implemented aggressive communication strategies to promote the governors’ policies, programs and achievements. She also handled the oversight of Commonwealth marketing campaigns, including the approval of television, radio and print ads, and outreach materials.
As a public relations consultant, Christy now focuses on the communications needs and goals of her individual clients. She also has worked as an adjunct professor, teaching communications and public relations courses at Shippensburg University, Messiah College and Penn State University’s Capital Campus.
Christy has a bachelor’s degree in television-radio communications from Ithaca College and a master’s in journalism from Temple University. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and is trained as an Advanced Public Information Officer by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Born and raised in York, Pa., Christy and her husband, Kirk, now live in Hudson, Ohio, with their two children.