Hutchens Public Relations is a team of seasoned professionals who have the expertise you need. We work with you in the conceptual, development and implementation stages of communications strategies custom designed to meet your objectives. By developing direct partnerships with our clients, we provide visionary, innovative and proactive strategies.
 Karen Hutchens
President
Karen Hutchens is a public relations strategist who specializes in public affairs issue management, corporate communications and crisis communications with the principle objective of delivering exemplary service and results. Her breadth of experience combines a powerful mix of entrepreneurialism with more than 25 years of experience as a communications professional with private, public and non-profit entities.
After a successful career at a San Diego-based electric utility company, Karen Hutchens established a public relations firm in San Diego in 1992. The agency quickly grew to be one of the largest firms in the state. In 1999, the agency was named the leading public relations agency by Inside PR. A year later, the firm was acquired by world-class communications firm, Porter Novelli International. After working internationally for several years, Karen opened Hutchens Public Relations in 2004 to service the needs of the growing San Diego business economy.
Karen has 25 years experience in the global energy sector, having worked as an executive in a Fortune 500 electric utility directing the company's governmental and public affairs activities. Her expertise includes public relations strategy development in support of energy projects, including nuclear generating facilities, combined cycle power plants, LNG terminals, gas and electric transmission lines and other major projects. She has worked with many notable energy sector clients, including ChevronTexaco, PG&E, APS, Southern California Edison and SDG&E.
Karen also has extensive experience in corporate communications in the financial sector including corporate mergers, acquisitions, high-level crisis situations and executive visibility programs. Client experience includes work for Sevin Rosen Funds, Sharp Health Care, Pacific Bell and Sea World of California.
Over the span of her career Karen has managed highly complex land development communications campaigns including several Wal-Mart developments, Hilton Hotels, San Diego Unified Port Authority projects and a Francis Parker School expansion.
Karen plays an active role in the San Diego community. She is currently a member of Rotary Club 33; past chair of the San Diego World Trade Center; a member of the board of directors of United Way, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Mexico Business Center, the San Diego/Imperial County Girl Scouts and the California Center for Sustainable Energy.
She is a native San Diegan and lives in Point Loma. In addition to public relations, her other passions include travel, gourmet cooking and gardening.
 Manny Aguilar
Strategic Counsel
Manny Aguilar brings two decades of client advocation, customer service and civic involvement to the Hutchens PR team, and provides community outreach and government relations counsel for Hutchens PR clients.
Service in the Navy brought the Chicago native to San Diego. Manny spent more than 21 years with Pacific Bell and SBC Communications. He initially worked in plant service, installation and maintenance throughout San Diego County. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from National University in 1986, he was promoted to employee development management, and transitioned to the Ethnic Markets Group.
When SBC Communications acquired Pacific Bell in 1997, Manny was promoted to Director of External Affairs. In addition to representing the company’s interests with local and state elected officials in San Diego County, his stakeholder responsibilities included the Hispanic and Asian communities, the San Diego World Trade Center, and small and minority business owners.
Manny retired from SBC in 2002 to accept a position as Vice President of Client Relations with the San Diego Data Processing Corporation (SDDPC). His focus at SDDPC was managing technology services for the City of San Diego’s enterprises and municipal departments.
In January 2000, Manny was elected president of the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. During his two-term presidency, the organization held its first three annual “Viva El Mariachi” festivals and started a successful vendor outreach program with the San Diego Unified School District and the City of San Diego. The organization was voted the “Large Hispanic Chamber of the Year” by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in both 2000 and 2001, and by the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2001 while under Manny’s leadership.
Manny has served on the board of directors of the Chicano Federation of San Diego County since 1998, and served as Board Chair from 2004 to 2006. He has also served on the boards of directors of the Better Business Bureau, the Asian Business Association and the Urban Corps of San Diego. He also served on the United Way Latino Leadership Initiative Cabinet.
Manny was honored by the Barrio Station in 1998 with an award for “Outstanding Community Leadership.” In 1999, he was selected by Southwest Airlines and Univision Channel 19 as a key Hispanic community leader. Manny was named as “Alumni of the Year” in 2001 and with the “Distinguished Alumni Award” in 2002 by National University.
Manny and his wife Mary Ann reside in Solana Beach, and are proud of their three children, Richard, Adam and Sandra. They especially enjoy spending quality time with their grandson Isaac and granddaughter Marysol Martina.
 Lucia Stone
Senior Associate
Lucia Stone has a comprehensive background in the communications industry with experience in television news, print, electronic media and community relations. She brings to Hutchens PR a history of crisis communications experience gained while field producing during natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the 2007 San Diego wildfires, the La Conchita mudslides, and the San Simeon earthquake. Her valuable expertise in media relations, strategic planning, research analysis, crisis management and project management contribute to the high quality work and client satisfaction that Hutchens PR is known for.
Lucia is active in the local community, serving on the marketing committee for the U.S. Green Building Council Board, San Diego chapter. She stays heavily involved in San Diego’s sustainable community and takes part in numerous green events. She is also a former trustee and chair of House Operations for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.
Lucia has a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism and a Minor in Ethnic Studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
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