 Krishna Fells has worked as a political
consultant, government affairs director, public affairs director, media
consultant, employee-employer relations consultant, and fund raiser for over 15
years. She was the Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy Insurance Commissioner in
the state of Washington. Currently she is consulting in an on-line business
venture with her husband, John Walling. Their consulting business, WALLING
CONSULTING, specializes in developing web sites for small businesses,
non-profits, politicians and artists.
Community Service
Krishna is known for her extensive community service. Starting in the early
1980's she begin to volunteer for various political organizations and
campaigns. Her interests include a diverse group of issues.
- Board Director, Webgrrls
- 1998 Steering Committee, I-688 To raise the state minimum wage
- 1998 Board Member, Fremont Public Association - Capitol Campaign
- 1998-99 Chair and Volunteer Executive Director,
SBOWS: Small Business Owners of
Washington State
- Board Director, Center for Career Alternatives
- Past Board Member, International District Rotary Club
- Past Board Director, Anti-Defamation League
- Past Board Director, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- Founding Member, Women's Endowment Fund
- Co-founder, Solart Gallery
- Past Board Director, King County and Washington State Women's Political
Caucus
- Past Board Director, Hands Off Washington
- Initial Board Director, DARE: Drug Awareness Resistance Education
- Past Board Director, Women's Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater
Seattle
WORK EXPERIENCE
WALLING CONSULTING, Co-Owner, 1996 - present
Krishna and John own this start-up business which specializes
in developing web sites for artists, politicians, and small businesses. In
addition they consult on Internet marketing and trade. Krishna continues to
consult with political campaigns, small businesses and non-profit
organizations.
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
, Chief Deputy & Chief of Staff, 1994-1996
Krishna was hired in early 1994 as special assistant to
Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn. After three months she was promoted to
Chief of Staff and after another 12 months was promoted to Chief Deputy.
Krishna managed a budget of over $21 million and a staff of 150. During her
time at the OIC the office was sued on rate request denials which led Krishna
to hiring an outside litigation expert to direct the litigation. In addition,
the OIC unionized during this period and Krishna appointed and directed the
negotiation team.
Among the issues that the OIC addressed were: Company Solvency including
taking companies into receivership when they went insolvent; Agent & Broker
relations; Fraud; Rate Making; Legal Analysis and Enforcement; Public Education
and Outreach; and Legislative Relations. Krishna was responsible for directing
and implementing all aspects of each.
Fells Consulting and Management, Owner, 1991-1994
Krishna's clients ranged from the small business community to
the non-profit community to politicians. In most cases her work consisted of
developing a business plan, finance plan, and media plan. She helped hire and
train staff. From early 1991 through March 1992, Krishna served as the Finance
Director for U.S.A.. Senator Brock Adams raising over $1.3 million.
Krishna had staff of 3 to 30 people depending on the season and the year.
Ackerley Communications of the NW, Governmental Affairs &
Public Affairs Director, 1989-1991
Krishna was hired to do community outreach and negotiations for
the Out Door Division of Ackerley Communications of the NW. Most of the issues
encountered required working with local governments on land use and zoning laws
that affected placement of bill boards. The area Krishna was responsible for
included Oregon and Washington.
After one year she became the strategist and lobbyist for Ackerley's Arena
Project successfully getting the Seattle City Council to approve support for
building the new Seattle Arena.
Krishna supervised two individuals and managed a budget of over $1 million
per year. She was responsible for all charitable donations from the division as
well as all political donations. She also served on Ackerley's Charitable
Foundation Committee which gave an average of $5 million per year in cash and
in-kind donations.
Fells Consulting and Management, Owner, 1983-1989
Krishna's primary clients during this period were candidates
for Superior Court, State House, State Senate, the State Legislature - both
House and Senate, City and County races and a few state wide races. Krishna
sub-contracted with individuals to help her complete her contracts
successfully.
University of Washington, Research Technologist, 1981-1983
Other Occupations Held between 1974 -1981 included: Health Care Specialists,
Laboratory Technician (licensed), Bank Lender, Credit Collector, Financial Aid
Clerk, EPA Technician.
Campaign Experience:
- Faith Ireland, Washington Supreme Court, 1998
- Patricia Clark, King County Superior Court, 1998
- Eric Serna for Congress, New Mexico, 1998
- Solidarity, Poland, 1997
- Christine Gregoire for Attorney General, 1992
- George Tamblyn for Congress, 1992
- Nita Rinehart for Governor, 1996
- Deborah Senn for Insurance Commissioner , 1992 & 1996
- Mark Sidran for Seattle City Attorney, 1989 & 1993
- Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, 1992
- Larry Phillips for County Council, 1991 & 1995
- Gary Locke for County Executive, 1993
- Norm Rice for Mayor, 1989 & 1993
- Bobbe Bridge for King County Superior Court, 1988 & 1992 & 1996
- Phyllis Kenney for Secretary of State 1996
- Dave Asher for State Representative, 1996
- Frank Chopp for State Representative, 1994, 1996, 1998
- Ed Murray for State Representative, 1995 & 1996
E-mail Krishna: solart@earthlink.net
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