The CSG team provides your campaign, organization or effort with the expertise gained through decades of combined experience in campaign management and operations, political and non-profit fundraising, communications and press, research, public policy, political outreach, grassroots organizing and activation, public and community affairs, economic development, multi-cultural outreach and government relations.

The CSG team is led by:

Dave Sabados, Principal 

Over the past decade, Dave has worked every aspect of political campaigns: voter targeting, fundraising, communications, and management on local, state, and federal campaigns.

Most recently, Dave managed Representative Jovan Melton's campaign for HD41, narrowly winning a contentious primary.  He also managed Eva Henry's election to the Adams County Board of Commissioners, helping her win by a wider margin than any other county wide elected official.  In 2011, Dave managed Arturo Jimenez's DPS campaign in Denver, winning a campaign that was outspent 4-1 by special interest groups.  Prior to that, he served as James Mejia's Field Director during his Mayoral bid.  On a statewide level, Dave served as Andrew Romanoff’s campaign coordinator, working with major donors, overseeing large events, and serving as point on numerous projects, such as crafting and executing an aggressive new media strategy, candidate rallies, and opposition research implementation.  As a congressional campaign manager in Iowa, Dave broke fundraising records for the district, managing a race several media outlets referred to as Western Iowa’s first viable Democratic campaign in over a decade. Dave also worked with (now) Vice President Joe Biden in 2007 and 2008.

A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Dave has been involved with several campaigns in Northern and Eastern Colorado.

Dave has lived in Colorado nearly his entire life and holds B.A.s in English and Philosophy, as well as a Master’s degree in English from the University of Northern Colorado. His graduate work focused on political rhetoric and the presidential persona in the age of television and internet. Outside of politics, Dave enjoys time in the Colorado outdoors: skiing, hiking, camping, cycling and living the Colorado lifestyle.

Joe Heitkamp, Associate

After spending years closely watching the political process as an impassioned observer and voter, in 2008 Joe Heitkamp was inspired by then Illinois Senator Barack Obama to take action in the field rather than from the safe seat in his living room.  Learning valuable community organizing  and field outreach skills over hundreds of hours of volunteer work, Joe became a Neighborhood Team Leader for Barack Obama in 2008.  After the election, Joe decided to pursue a dual degree in Political Science and Computer Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver while continuing to be involved with campaigns.

In 2010, Joe began an internship as a staging location director in NW Denver for Senator Michael Bennet, where he managed and trained groups of volunteers for persuasion outreach and GOTV (get out the vote).  Shortly after Senator Bennet's successful race, Joe began an internship with James Mejia's campaign for Denver Mayor as an assistant field organizer.  In 2011, Joe served as Field Director for Arturo Jimenez's reelection to the DPS Board of Education and built an impressive GOTV effort that helped Arturo narrowly win while being outspent 4-1.

Following the 2011 election, Joe joined the Compass team, working primarily on Eva Henry's successful bid for Adams County Commissioner, a campaign that won by a wider margin than any other county-wide race.  Henry's campaign was praised by many in the area for a level of professionalism not often seen on down-ballot campaigns.  Joe worked daily with the candidate on all aspects of the campaign, including field targeting, volunteer recruitment, direct mail design, and technology.

Joe has lived in Colorado since 2001.  Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Joe moved to Denver to see what opportunities might be available out West.  He is currently finishing a dual B.A. degree in Political Science and Computer Science.  Joe's skills include field strategy and implementation, volunteer recruitment and training, website design, direct mail, data management, and technical implementation.

Advisory Board

 Carrie Steele, Advisor

Carrie brings a unique perspective to campaigning in Colorado.  As a community organizer, she has spent countless hours working with campaigns, non-profits, and leadership groups to develop educational outreach programs promoting civic engagement and volunteerism.  Most recently, Carrie served as Campaign Coordinator for James Mejia's campaign for Denver Mayor prior to which he was the Campaign Operations manager for Andrew Romanoff’s campaign for the United States Senate.  Working directly with the candidate, management, press, field, and finance operations, she understands the importance of teamwork in developing a successful campaign strategy. As an experienced organizer, Carrie brings fresh ideas to CSG focusing on event management, organizational behavior, volunteer coordination, and community involvement.

Carrie holds a bachelor’s degree, in Political History, from the Metropolitan State College of Denver focused on American and International Politics, as well as American History.