Bob’s the guy who asks the question that leads to the answer we need. It’s a unique gift and a valuable asset in our work together.

Robert Bellafiore brings 30 years of experience at senior levels of government, politics, journalism, public relations, public affairs and business.
Robert (Bob) Bellafiore is a communications pro who uses his 35+ years’ experience in journalism, government, advocacy, education and business to help clients solve their problems. He’s as comfortable working with Governors, CEOs, religious leaders, and university presidents as he is with parents, teachers, lawyers, non-profit leaders, academics and people with developmental disabilities.
A former state Capitol reporter for The Associated Press in New York, where his beats included Gov. Mario Cuomo, politics, education, economics, fiscal policy, courts and urban issues, Bob started Stanhope Partners in 2012 to “help good people who want to do the right thing the right way.”
Known as a skilled, effective and respected strategist and tactician, highly regarded among journalists, elected officials, colleagues and clients, Bob understands how smart messaging and timely communications with important stakeholders – through the news media and other vehicles – can strengthen an organization’s success.
Bob’s skills and knowledge of the public environment grow from a unique and successful career in journalism, government, business, K-12 and higher education, consulting, and non-profit management.
He’s a frequent commentator on New York and national politics for both print and broadcast outlets. His commentaries have been published in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and other major newspapers. City & State Magazine has named Bob one of New York’s 50 most influential people at the intersection of public relations and politics.
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In government, Bob served as New York Gov. George Pataki’s first press secretary and chief speech writer, Director of Special Projects, and later deputy chief of staff for policy and planning. He helped shepherd passage and implementation of major reforms, including New York’s Charter Schools Act, and played senior roles in Pataki’s two successful re-election campaigns.
In business, Bob was a senior partner and board director of Eric Mower and Associates,
one of the nation’s largest independent marketing, advertising and PR agencies, and later Vice President at National Heritage Academies, a $450 million multi-state charter school operator.
He is a former Trustee of the State University of New York, the nation’s largest comprehensive public university system, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of the Albany (NY) Diocese and as Board of Trustees Chairman for Troy (NY) Prep Charter Schools.
Bob was a founding board member of the Chicago-based National Association of Charter Schools Authorizers (NACSA) and also served on the board of the National Charter Schools Institute (Mt. Pleasant, MI).
A native of Queens, NY, Bob began his career as a journalist and covered New York State government and politics for The Associated Press in Albany, NY, where his beats included Gov. Mario Cuomo, politics, education, economics, fiscal policy, courts and urban issues.
He and his wife, Marilyn, live near Albany, NY and have two grown sons – Fr. Sam, a priest in the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese, and Robert Jr., a policy adviser in the U.S. Congress.
“
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.
– Groucho Marx
Bob’s career includes top-level responsibility for:
- Political and governmental communications, media strategy
- Advocacy strategy and execution
- Crisis management and communications
- Message development
- Stakeholder identification and outreach
- Policy development
- Public policy research and analysis
- Government and political journalism
- Coordinated issue campaigns
- Grassroots development
- Business development and strategy
- Passing and defeating legislation
- Conference and seminar content development
- Speechwriting and speechmaking
- Trade association communications and management
- Board Governance in businesses, non-profits, K-12 and public higher education
Experience + Education
Capital Tonight's ``Insiders``
National Heritage Academies
Eric Mower and Associates
Office of the Governor
Gov. George E. Pataki
State Univ. of NY Charter Schools Institute
President
The Business Council of NYS, Inc.
The Associated Press
The Knickerbocker News
Volunteer Service
Catholic Charities of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese
Board of Trustees
The Evangelist Newspaper
Troy (NY) Prep Charter Schools
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Member, National Education Advisory Council, Cooperstown, NY
Sampling of Op-Eds and Commentary
“Charter Schools Don’t Have Eternal Bureaucratic Life.”
The Wall Street Journal, November 25, 2019
“The War on Charters is a War to Deny Minority Opportunity.”
``The New York Union That Says Ni.”
“2010: A Perfect Voter Storm.”
“Marching into Albany: Advice for Spitzer.”
“Dream Schools: Charters a beacon of hope.”
Education
The University at Albany
Contact
Feel free to reach out!
Phone & Email
518.928.8471
bob@stanhope-ny.com