# Chris Wahl

> Chris Wahl is the San Diego-based co-founder and CEO of Bodewell Group, the strategic communications and advisory firm formerly known as Southwest Strategies. He founded the business with Alan Ziegaus in 2000, worked on contested California infrastructure and development approvals, and led its expansion through specialist-agency acquisitions before the February 2026 rebrand.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Bodewell Group
- **Organizations:** Bodewell Group, Southwest Strategies, Wahl Associates, Inc., American Bankers Association, St. Augustine High School, Public Relations Society of America, San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter, San Diego Bowl Association
- **Education:** B.A. in Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles
- **Known for:** Helped secure approvals for Sunrise Powerlink, Westfield UTC revitalization and the North Coast Corridor Project., Led strategy and served as spokesperson for maritime interests in the referendum against the Barrio Logan Community Plan., His former firm biography credits Southwest Strategies with three PRSA Silver Anvil awards.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Worked in government relations for the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C., and as a vice president at a Southern California public affairs firm before leading Wahl Associates.
- **Before 2000** — President of Wahl Associates, Inc.; worked with Unocal and Tosco on California’s Central Coast.
- **2000** — Co-founded Southwest Strategies in San Diego with Alan Ziegaus.
- **2008** — Began serving as president of Southwest Strategies, according to January 2021 reporting.
- **2009** — Served as president of PRSA’s San Diego chapter when its international convention came to San Diego.
- **2015** — Recognized as Public Relations Professional of the Year for work on the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update.
- **2021** — Reported transition from president to CEO as Elizabeth Hansen became president.
- **2022** — Partnered with Palladium Heritage to support Southwest Strategies’ growth.
- **2023** — Southwest Strategies acquired Katz & Associates.
- **2024** — Added BergDavis Public Affairs and ColLAborate.
- **2025** — Acquired Kiterocket, extending into Phoenix and Seattle.
- **2026** — Unified the agency group as Bodewell Group, effective February 23.

## Achievements

- Helped secure approvals for Sunrise Powerlink, Westfield UTC revitalization and the North Coast Corridor Project.
- Led strategy and served as spokesperson for maritime interests in the referendum against the Barrio Logan Community Plan.
- His former firm biography credits Southwest Strategies with three PRSA Silver Anvil awards.
- Led a business that reported roughly 140 employees across six offices when it rebranded in February 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — Continued as founder and CEO as Southwest Strategies Group and its acquired agencies unified under Bodewell Group on February 23, 2026.

## Links

- Website: https://bodewellgroup.com/team/chris-wahl/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wahl-b598723
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/acwahl

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/chris-wahl
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25