Mercury Public Affairs logo
Gregory O. Smiley
Government Relations  •  Grassroots Coalition Building  •  Political Consulting  •  Public Affairs Campaign Management  •  Strategic Communications
Managing Director
Greg is a trusted public affairs, crisis, and government relations strategic advisor to C-suite executives and national political leaders. He has advised global investment banking executives, presidential and U.S. Senate candidates, and served as a senior advisor to a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services & Select Committee on Intelligence. Additionally, he has served within a NYS gubernatorial administration.
Gregory O. Smiley’s over 15 year career spans policy, politics, government, higher education and the private sector. Some of his key roles were senior advisor in the U.S. Senate, member of NYS Executive Chamber, national and regional roles in two presidential campaigns, campaign manager and senior advisor for a Mayoral campaign.

Greg has developed strategic campaigns for national elected leaders, diverse venture funds, nonprofit CEOs and impactful investment firms.

His successes are wide-ranging, from lobbying on behalf of The City University of New York, one of the largest public university systems in America, to serving as an executive team member who spearheaded a $49 million dollar renovation of a former public school into a hybrid complex.

Greg has received many professional awards and made history when he was profiled as "the first Black campaign manager" for a sitting United States Senator, in U.S. history. He founded Trench Town Group, a public affairs consultancy and co-founded Bridge to Victory, a political donor advisory fund.

Greg earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science with a focus on Black Studies at The City College, City University of New York, where he also received a full scholarship to attend graduate school.

In 2022, Greg became a full member of The Economic Club of New York.