
Director, Public Affairs
John-Paul Yates
Areas of Expertise: Public Affairs
From the campaign trail to the Capitol, John-Paul builds advocacy strategies that work.
John-Paul helps clients navigate their public policy challenges with experience both in Saint Paul and in Congress. Known for his steady demeanor and ability to forge strong relationships, John-Paul quickly makes meaningful connections for our clients.
John-Paul has nearly 15 years of government, campaign and lobbying experience from serving as district director and campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen to directing public policy for the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Yates worked for the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus as committee administrator for the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.
John-Paul recently completed his 46th trip to the Boundary Waters and his first Chequamegon 40 mountain bike race. When not paddling or biking, John-Paul is touring local parks with his wife and two sons.
Joined Goff Public: 2022
Alma Mater: Seton Hall University
Conversation Starters
- Boundary Waters
- Coffee brewing
- Fat biking
Civic Involvement
- Selection Committee, University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs Policy Fellows Program
- University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs Policy Fellows Program, 2021-2022 Cohort
Posts by John-Paul Yates
Have teens returned to the workforce?
April 15, 2023
‘Six’ returns to Ordway as an added show in 2023-24 season
April 10, 2023
Businesses along Lake Street rebuild, reopen after recent challenges
February 6, 2023
All New Production of PETER PAN Will Embark on Tour in 2024
January 31, 2023
Green hydrogen – The fuel of the future if we lead with data
January 25, 2023
Lupe’s phase three of Lake Street housing moves forward
January 10, 2023
Trends we’re tracking for 2023
December 14, 2022
Rising Young Professionals of 2022: Caroline Burns
December 9, 2022
Dress for Success Twin Cities rolls out mobile unit
December 3, 2022
Minnesota Zoo STEM program at all-time high in participation
November 25, 2022
Halloween throwbacks
October 19, 2022
Gofftern Q&A: Seufean Thao
October 11, 2022
Delta resumes direct flight from MSP to Seoul
October 5, 2022
Groundbreaking for New Highbanks Plaza Friday Morning
September 30, 2022
With beer under pressure, Shakopee’s Rahr Malting looks beyond its legacy
September 27, 2022
Goff Public Appreciation Party
September 23, 2022
Apple Impact Accelerator selects Minneapolis energy company Sagiliti
September 16, 2022
Joining the Crisis Squad
September 15, 2022
Goff Public Seeks Motivated Students for Spring 2023 Internship Program
September 14, 2022
Rahr Malting Co. celebrates 175th anniversary
September 14, 2022
The murals of Lake Street deter graffiti and celebrate culture
September 6, 2022
The Saloon – Minneapolis gay bar celebrates 45 years in business
September 6, 2022
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community stops by the KARE Barn
August 31, 2022
Team Goff summer highlights
August 11, 2022
Get to know Team Goff: Nate Kass
July 20, 2022
Amp up your hiring and recruiting communications
June 23, 2022
Get to know Team Goff: Caroline Burns
June 20, 2022
Get to know Team Goff: Andrew Hasek
May 24, 2022
Get to know Team Goff: Madeleine Rush
April 18, 2022
Get to know Team Goff: Pierre Willette
March 21, 2022
Goff Public names next president/CEO
September 22, 2021
Goff Public Webinar Series
August 2, 2021
Celebrating 25 years at Goff Public: Heidi Larson
February 25, 2021
Goff Public ranked 2020 Best Public Relations Firm
August 28, 2020
The summer of special sessions
June 24, 2020
A message from our management team
June 24, 2020
How to amplify your Facebook reach in 2020
June 24, 2020
Q&A with Team Goff: Reporters to follow
May 19, 2020
Q&A with Team Goff: How we’re spending our down time
May 11, 2020
Q&A with Team Goff: Finding inspiration
April 29, 2020
Engaging legislators in the age of COVID-19
April 10, 2020
Communication hasn’t stopped – it’s just changed
March 20, 2020
Coronavirus: Communicating during a time of fear
March 10, 2020
Seeking applicants for Fall 2020 PR Internship
March 4, 2020
2020 legislative session begins
February 11, 2020
Connecting with college presidents
January 21, 2020
Congratulations to the SMSC on a landmark initiative
January 16, 2020
Happy New Year from the Goff Public team
January 1, 2020
Social media advertising: It’s complicated
December 12, 2019
The power of earned media
November 18, 2019
Sara Swenson talks neighborhood activism and NIMBYism
November 15, 2019
Jennifer Hellman: The Crisis Coach
November 13, 2019
Bowling is right up our alley
October 30, 2019
Fall fun at Keg and Case
October 11, 2019
Shakopee Mdewakanton tribe announces new philanthropic campaign
October 10, 2019
Session is coming. Are you ready for 2020?
October 10, 2019
Get to know Goff’s fall PR intern
September 18, 2019
Laying foundation for success this session
September 14, 2019
Media ready: Setting leaders up for success
September 13, 2019
Tips on taking a political stand
August 7, 2019
Building your comms budget for 2020? Consider this.
August 7, 2019
The Ordway’s 42nd Street brings fans a new beat
August 6, 2019
Apply for our fall PR internship
June 26, 2019
Happy hour at the new Allianz Field
June 7, 2019
Goff president/CEO joins national board
May 2, 2019
Engaging influencers to broaden your reach
April 10, 2019
5-8 Club shares recipe for the Tot Dish Lucy
April 6, 2019
Meet our newest team member: Caroline Burns
April 6, 2019
DCTC graduate brews a career
March 29, 2019
Safety stressed for School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
February 24, 2019
Developer Steve Minn talks about making affordable housing work
February 23, 2019
St. Thomas, St. Ben’s and U of M-Morris to go on a carbon diet
February 21, 2019
Mystic Lake announces upcoming performances
February 13, 2019
Support us in the Fight for Air Climb!
February 11, 2019
Are you prepared for your next crisis?
February 6, 2019
Are we your favorite PR firm?
February 6, 2019
Plastics manufacturer MDI completes expansion at Minneapolis HQ
January 23, 2019
Farm Bill adds provisions that enforce Native sovereignty
January 8, 2019
Meet our newest government relations team member: Kevion Ellis
January 8, 2019
The legislative session is here…are you ready?
January 8, 2019
What to know about investing in 2019
January 3, 2019
A New Year’s Eve at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
January 2, 2019
Happy New Year from your friends at Goff Public!
January 1, 2019
Spring construction planned for apartments near Lyn-Lake
December 6, 2018
Minnesota is among the leaders in giving to American Indian causes
December 2, 2018
Cali Owings joins our public relations team
November 30, 2018
Creating compelling video content
November 30, 2018
Get the traditional Nordic experience at St. Olaf’s Christmas Festival
November 29, 2018
Goff Public seeks Legislative Assistant/Account Executive
November 28, 2018
Q&A: Public relations and branding
November 26, 2018
Tina Hoye, of NTH Inc., discusses the changing demands of office users
November 24, 2018
Grants give healthy smiles to those supported by Hammer Residences
November 20, 2018
Developer’s plan for riverfront would change Saint Paul skyline
November 20, 2018
Public-private Project Green Fleet grows again
November 9, 2018
Mystic Lake announces upcoming performances
November 9, 2018
The reasoning behind rhetoric
November 4, 2018
Funding philanthropy through cryptocurrency
October 31, 2018
Congratulations to our new board representatives
October 25, 2018
Andrew Hasek joins Goff Public’s government relations team
October 25, 2018
Cutting through the political clutter
October 25, 2018
Turning your stories into TV segments
August 9, 2018
Meet our interns
July 13, 2018
No time to plan?
July 13, 2018
Push to take closer look at news narratives
July 11, 2018
Now Care Dental celebrates its grand re-opening
July 10, 2018
Twin Cities Live features Mamma Mia!
July 10, 2018
Delta Dental talks teeth habits on WCCO
June 19, 2018
Mystic Lake voted best casino
June 18, 2018