We are a team of senior-level PR practitioners with decades of experience in winning earned media exposure. We came together to found a new public relations agency based at the foot of the Adirondacks, focused solely on the needs of companies in the new green economy with a sustainability message to share. Read about our founder and the team below.
Meet The Team
Tony DeFazio
Founder and Principal –
Tony DeFazio is an accomplished communications and public relations professional with a long history of volunteering and advocating for environmental and sustainable causes. As a lifelong hiker, fisherman and alpine skier, he went to work in Washington, D.C. after graduating from Ithaca College on behalf of Clean Water Action, where he lobbied for environmental reform with community organizing and supporting large donor capital raising campaigns. He served for six years as a Trail Ambassador for Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, and today can be found summiting the High Peaks in New York on his quest to become an Adirondack 46er.
Over the course of his nearly 30-year career, he has developed public and media relations programs for a diverse array of both private and public companies. As a widely respected agency leader and entrepreneur, he successfully built and sold two previous agencies—Sustainable PR is his third—and led public relations for a public company. Tony’s expertise is in narrative writing, business development, relationship building, media pitching, and coalition building. He serves as spokesperson for a range of businesses and non-profits. During his three decades of media relations experience, Tony has placed stories for clients in influential media ranging from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to Huffington Post. His clients have appeared regularly on CNBC, FOX Business and Bloomberg TV. While living and working in Philadelphia, Tony was also elected President of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Philadelphia Chapter: the world’s largest business communications trade group. Tony is currently a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)’s Albany, N.Y., chapter and PRSA’s Counselor’s Academy. Outside of industry associations, Tony is a member of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) and serves as an advisor to the Sustainability Committee of Glens Falls.
Matthew Matyjek
Director, Media Relations –
Matt is responsible for advising Sustainable PR’s clients on media relations and developing comprehensive communications strategies. Matt started his career in public affairs in Washington DC, working with Fortune 100 firms in the energy sector, and has worked with climate tech companies in the utility, venture capital, EV, energy storage, hydrogen, and solar industries since 2017. Matt has held roles at DCI Group, Edelman PR, and Silverline Communications, among other public relations agencies. His clients have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNBC, and Bloomberg.
A graduate of Georgetown University, Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in theology and worked on the 2010 midterm and 2012 presidential campaigns as an intern. It is at Georgetown that he developed a keen interest in everything related to energy. He is particularly passionate about the role that nuclear energy and satellite technology can play in combating and adapting to climate change. Matt is currently based in Dallas, Texas.
Lydia is a skilled writer and a communications professional with expertise in community relations. She previously served as director of corporate and community engagement for the United Way where she was responsible for developing relationships with local non-profits and corporate sponsors, and for implementing the organization’s community outreach efforts. Lydia manages campaigns for Sustainable PR’s clean energy, hydroponics, and clean technology clients. Outside of the office, she enjoys frequent visits to her hometown in the northern Adirondacks to visit family, hike, and explore the north country’s numerous orchards.
Carly Vallet
Associate Account Manager –
Carly brings a dynamic blend of media research expertise and creative design to Sustainable PR. She contributes to the management of campaigns for clean energy and sustainable agriculture clients. Carly also leads the firm’s social media marketing and website design. Before joining Sustainable PR, she graduated with a B.S. in communication management and design from Ithaca College, developing her skills in effective media strategy and outreach. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga and exploring the scenic trails of local New York State Parks.
David R. Evanson
Financial Media Contributor –
David R. Evanson has more than 30 years of experience working in the media, on Wall Street and in media as well as investor relations. He has worked with investment banks, asset managers, private equity investors and institutional brokers on a variety of marketing and communications challenges. David brings to the table a well-developed understanding of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. He has written extensively on the topic for investment trade associations as well as national news outlets ranging from Barron’s, Forbes, Kiplinger’s to Business Ethics and The Hill. His expertise appeals to younger investors who have shown an interest in putting their money where their values are.
John F. Kouten
Public Affairs Contributor –
John F. Kouten has worked in public relations for over 25 years. He has counseled and led some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical, food science, personal care and nutraceutical companies. He has also worked in the areas of compliance, issues management, crisis communication, regulatory affairs, government affairs and public policy communications. During his career, John served as head of global public affairs for Johnson & Johnson and head of North American public affairs for Sanofi, Inc., and more recently, he has overseen projects relating to nuclear medicine compliance at GE Healthcare and sustainable practices for an emerging cannabis company. Having managed delicate topics associated with medical waste disposal and safe drinking water for some of the nation’s largest companies, he brings to Sustainable PR valuable expertise in issues management and crisis communications. This institutional background benefits larger companies who need both proactive and reactive storytelling and communications. John also has excellent relationships with trade media which he has cultivated and retained through working directly with senior management on complex and sensitive corporate communications strategies. His strong combination of agency and corporate communications experience drives his strategic, creative and client service-focused approach.
