Darren George
Managing Partner
GCK Consulting
AAPC caught up with new Young Professional member, Darren E. George.
AAPC: Why did you join AAPC?
Darren: I joined the American Association of Political Consultants because as a millennial, entrepreneur, and new business owner, I am always looking to expand my network and learn from others in the industry. I opened my firm, GCK Consulting, because I saw a lack of attention to millennial candidates and those new to politics. We see so often these big names in politics, but there should be a voice for those who maybe don’t have the same infrastructure or cash on hand as some, but their ideas and values are still important and they are a vital part of the American electorate.
AAPC: Who have you not worked with yet but would like to?
Darren: I got my start in politics at an early age, so I’ve been really fortunate to work with some really incredible leaders in our country. However, people like State Rep. Will Guzzardi in Illinois and Assemblyman Nelson Araujo in my home state of Nevada really inspire me and are great examples of what millennials in elected office can achieve.
AAPC: Why is being part of a bipartisan organization valuable to you?
Darren: I really value being part of a bipartisan organization like the AAPC because at the end of the day, we are all here to make a positive impact in our country. So being in an environment where everyone is receptive to feedback and differing opinions to help come together for the good of the American people is always really exciting because that is what politics is all about: How can we come together as a people and become more prosperous while still letting our opinions and views be heard.
AAPC: When did you know this was the career for you?
Darren: I knew I wanted to get into politics when in 2008, I saw a man on TV who looked like me become the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. After that, my love and fascination with politics grew more and more until it became an integral part of my lifestyle. I never really considered politics before then, but seeing that a black man with an ethnic name could actually become President was huge because it showed that with enough tenacity and dedication, I could achieve anything I wanted, despite being part of such ostracized minority groups.
AAPC: How do you manage high-stress situations?
Darren: When I get stressed, I like to take a step back, write everything down, then transfer those notes to a giant whiteboard and break things down into mini tasks. I’m most productive working on multiple things at once, so when I can complete a lot of small tasks, before I know it, I’ve knocked out a few big projects without getting overwhelmed.
Our newly launched Member Spotlight feature puts you in front of the AAPC community so that you can expand your personal and professional network! We encourage all AAPC members, new and veteran, to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with other members. To be featured in our next Member Spotlight, contact Angela Pubal at apubal@theaapc.org.
