Welcome to The Focus Group

Government Relations | Local Government Innovation | Economic Development | Voluntary Sector Leadership

WE SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR BUSINESSES. 

(And we don’t mind breaking things when required.)

WE HELP OUR CLIENTS NAVIGATE GOVERNMENT.

(And we know how to get things done.)

WE RUN WINNING CAMPAIGNS.

(And we really, really like to win.)

A bit about us.

Established in 2006, FOCUS Group Consulting Incorporated specializes in government relations, campaign management, strategy, public affairs, local government leadership, community and economic development, campaign planning and execution, and non-profit leadership.

Our Founder and President is Steve Kent, a transformational leader with extensive experience in the public, voluntary, and private sectors. A former Deputy Premier in eastern Canada, Steve is a passionate advocate, change agent, visionary, entrepreneur, and community leader. 

A bit about Steve.

Steve Kent is a community builder and change agent. He loves solving problems. Steve is passionate about having positive impact on people and communities. He gets things done.

Steve was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in 2007, was re-elected in 2011, and again in 2015. He served in a number of ministerial roles including Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Community Services, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, and Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs. In all capacities, Steve works to balance the needs of individuals with the needs of the community, and he works to strengthen all of the communities he serves. Steve resigned from the legislature in 2017 to serve as Chief Administrative Officer of his community, a role he held for three years, driving positive change and fostering a culture of small city innovation.

In 1997, at the age of 19, Steve was elected to Mount Pearl City Council and was chosen as Deputy Mayor. In 2003, he became Mount Pearl’s eighth Mayor and served in this position for four years.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and Certificate in Public Administration from Memorial University, a Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo, and a Masters degree in Management from McGill University. Steve also completed the Director Education Program with the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds the ICD.D designation. Steve is also a Certified Asset Management Professional (CAMP) and a Certified Economic Developer (EcD).

In his professional life, Steve has served as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland and Manager of Corporate Development at Stirling Communications International. He and his wife own FOCUS Driver Training Incorporated and Maritime Driving School, which operate Young Drivers of Canada centres in Newfoundland and New Brunswick. Steve has led government relations for a number of businesses, and he has worked as a political organizer and campaign manager.

Steve has a long history of community involvement. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Waterford Valley, the Mount Pearl Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion, and the Knights of Columbus, and he also volunteers as a coach and manager with local minor baseball and minor hockey associations.. Steve led Scouts Canada for four years as Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors and is currently Past Chair of the Board. He is a former Chair of the National Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Steve currently serves as Chair of the Canadian Board of Directors of Give A Mile, and he is a member of the National Board of Directors of the Canadian Network of Asset Managers. 

A bit about how we can help you.

Public Affairs

We help organizations and companies solve problems. Together, we can positively impact public policy and government decision making. We know how governments work. Whether it’s municipal, provincial, or federal, we can help you connect with the right people in order to build relationships and achieve progress.

Services:
Public Affairs
Government Relations
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Advocacy 

Local Government

Municipal government is complex and challenging, and it’s changing. We understand it well. We can make big things happen for your community. We offer a broad range of services to municipalities, from strategic planning and organizational reviews to economic development strategy and asset management plan development.

Services:
Organizational Development
Economic Development
Asset Management
Strategic Planning

Visit our asset management partner site:
Public Sector Partners for Progress

Campaign Strategy

We are seasoned campaign strategists and leaders in campaign planning and execution. From political campaigns to issues advocacy, we have decades of experience to put to work for you.

Services:
Campaign Planning and Research
Campaign Management and Oversight
Field Operations
GOTV

Visit our election campaign training partner site:
How to Get Elected 

References available upon request.

Do you want to chat?

What’s keeping you up at night? What problem would you love to solve? Let’s talk about it. We want to help.

Give Steve a call at +1.709.740.0948 or email him at steve@thefocusgroup.ca.

Contacts

Stephen P. Kent, MM, ICD.D, EcD, CAMP
President and Lead Consultant

tel: +1.709.740.0948

Canada

23 Collingwood Crescent
Mount Pearl, NL A1N 5C4
CANADA 

USA

2514 Grand Central Parkway
Unit 4
Orlando, FL 32839
USA 

Northern Ireland

26 Clearwater
Derry, Northern Ireland
BT476BE
UNITED KINGDOM