Harnessing the Power of Ideas.

Throughout his career, Thomas J. Basile has served in a number of communications and public relations positions addressing a variety of high profile issues in both the public and private sector. He is founder and Principal of Empire Solutions Consulting, a strategic communications and public relations firm based in New York. In 2007 he joined forces with PR industry pioneer Don Middleberg to form the Middleberg Sustainability GroupTM, where he serves as Managing Director. The new group helps clients develop and communicate eco-smart products, practices and workplaces.

In more than 20 states and from Washington to Rome and Iraq to South Asia, Basile's work has garnered attention in every major media market. His insights into Iraq, the War on Terrorism and the national political scene have made him a sought after contributor on both television and radio.

In 2005, he served as a lead planner for the Department of State of the historic visit by former Presidents Bush and Clinton to the tsunami ravaged areas of South Asia. In 2004 and 2005, Basile served under Senator Trent Lott as Press Secretary to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in Washington, where he supervised the media and public affairs operation for the 55th Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies. Prior to this position, he was a communications strategist for the U.S. Department of Defense where he focused on developing public and media outreach mechanisms for the Iraq reconstruction effort. He also was a member of the Secretary of Defense’s task force established to handle detainee and prisoner abuse issues. In March, 2004 Basile returned from seven months in Baghdad, Iraq where he served at the request of the White House, as a Senior Press Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority. While in Iraq he was a member of the Office of Strategic Communications staff, a spokesperson and strategist for the Coalition’s press operations. In this role, Basile aided Coalition officials in message development and communications planning for the Iraq mission.

In August, 2003 Basile and the Deputy Mayor of Baghdad initiated the first regularly scheduled press conferences at Baghdad City Hall for the new, burgeoning local Iraqi press corps. In June, 2004 he was awarded the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal from the Department of Defense for his work with the Coalition. Basile is also a former Director of the Office of Communications for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington. During his time at the Agency he managed the EPA Administrator’s public liaison operation and developed media and stakeholder outreach initiatives for a variety of environmental issues.

He has often been called upon by the White House to plan significant meetings and events for President Bush including the memorial service for the Space Shuttle Columbia astronauts in Houston, the President’s 2002 meeting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, activities surrounding the 57th United Nations General Assembly, and the 2003 visit to Nazi concentration camps outside Krakow, Poland.

A former candidate for public office himself, Basile has been involved in national, state and local campaigns for more than a decade. His political experience ranges from the planning of two Presidential Inaugurations, numerous large-scale campaign events for Bush Cheney 2000 Inc, consulting work for the Republican National Committee and senior level decision-making for local and state-wide contests.

From 1997-2000, he served in Governor George Pataki’s administration in New York as a public relations coordinator for the State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, where he promoted various State open space and development projects in the New York City region.

In 1997 he was named to the National Italian American Foundation’s 100 Stars List of prominent, young Americans. A native of Rockland County, New York, Basile earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Hofstra University which recently named him its 2007 Young Alumnus of the Year. He received his Juris Doctor attending Fordham University and Georgetown Law Schools. He is a member of the New York Bar.