Sussex Strategy Group Welcomes Expert Consultants to Industry Leading Energy and Environment Practice

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 9, 2012) - Sussex Strategy Group is pleased to announce two new additions to its Energy and Environment Practice.

Sarah Simmons joins the firm as a Senior Associate. Most recently Sarah was Government Affairs Manager for SunEdison Canada, helping to navigate the policy, planning and procurement market for renewable power generation across the country. Sarah is well-known in the Ontario energy sector, having also worked as a senior analyst with the Ontario Power Authority.

Sarah has been an active member of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), and will continue to serve as the Chair of the Ontario Solar Photovoltaics Caucus. She has a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies specific to electricity policy from the University of Waterloo.

Robyn Gray joins the firm as an Associate. Most recently Robyn was a senior consultant at a leading public affairs firm in Australia, providing strategic counsel to a number of domestic and international clients. Previously, Robyn worked at Queen's Park for the Minister of Government Services, Minister of Consumer Services, and Minister of the Environment.

Robyn also worked on the federal level as a special assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Robyn has a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies from York University, where she specialized in climate change policy.

The energy and environment practice continues to be led by Chris Benedetti, whose experience and depth of understanding of the sector has made Sussex a national leader in this area.

"Bringing Sarah and Robyn on board speaks to the ongoing growth and success that Sussex has developed in this important area," said Paul Pellegrini, President of Sussex Strategy Group. "With these two recent appointments we have added further expertise in government relations and our understanding of the sector, thus strengthening our capabilities in our energy and environment practice."

Established in 1998, Sussex is one of Canada's premier strategic communications and government relations firms, providing consulting services at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Canadian owned and operated, the firm has proprietary offices in Toronto and Ottawa, and a network of public affairs and communications specialists located in key centres across the country.