Ross Bennett – Principal and Founder


Ross is a talented writer and innovative strategist who began his public relations career as a political operative and communications specialist in Washington, D.C., working in the U.S. House of Representatives as a senior legislative assistant and press secretary. This came after nearly a decade spent as a print media journalist, working for four different Minnesota daily newspapers, including the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. He also worked as an editor for two statewide magazines.

He was recruited to run for the Minnesota State Senate in 2000 and received the DFL endorsement in District 19. The following year, Ross started his own, one-person firm – Bennett Communications – and, since then, has worked as a public relations executive, political consultant and lobbyist for a number of businesses, non-profit organizations, political candidates and governmental agencies.

In 2001, Ross directed communications for the successful statewide P.O.W.E.R. Campaign (People Organizing for Workers, the Environment and Ratepayers) that advocated for changes in Minnesota law regarding energy and environmental policy, worker’s rights and fair pricing for ratepayers in Minnesota.

A graduate of Hamline University in St. Paul, Ross has also worked and consulted on several political campaigns, including a half-dozen U.S. Congressional races, a MN Governor’s campaign, three local school levies, two school bond campaigns, a city council race and a handful of state legislative campaigns.

Ross served as the Communications and Governmental Relations Officer for Forest Lake Area Schools for six years before founding Kalliope Communications.