who we are
Costin Public Outreach Group, Inc. (CPOG) is celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2023.
We are a local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)/Small Business Enterprise (SBE) community outreach and public relations firm. We help clients connect to the communities they need to reach to achieve their goals.
Our philosophy is straightforward – every stakeholder in every community should be involved in delivering a result. From planning to design to construction, we provide engagement by arming stakeholders with information, being transparent and upfront about impacts and inclusive in the process. We build productive relationships and mobilize community stakeholders to take action – whether that be attending a public meeting or signing up to receive a construction notice.
Our staff combine their backgrounds in communications, advocacy, marketing, and public affairs to develop and implement creative communications and outreach programs that inform and engage stakeholders of complex technical issues involved with infrastructure improvements. We blend tried and true outreach tactics with cutting-edge technology solutions to get the job done.
We work with public agencies, local governments, residential and business communities, professional and non-profit organizations and religious communities. Our work has spanned throughout Southern California, including Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. Most important to our clients is our strength in transportation and our deeply rooted relationships throughout Southern California.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
SARA COSTIN MOCKUS
Owner / CEO
Sara is an experienced contract and project manager with three decades of public outreach experience. Throughout her career she has supported projects in the highway and bridge; commuter; heavy and light rail sectors and she has been the outreach manager for dozens of signature transportation projects throughout Southern California including OCTA SR-55 (I-405 to I-5) Improvement Project, SBCTA I-10 Express Lanes, and Caltrans District 7 I-5 Widening. Sara is an expert at facilitating community dialogue about complex and sensitive issues and managing outreach programs for contentious projects. She plays a crucial role as the public conduit for communication between the community and her clients.
TINA DAY
Director of Community Outreach and Operations Manager
With more than 13 years focusing on transportation-related projects and events, Tina brings a strong foundation of marketing, communications, relationship building, and strategy to clients. She is skilled at translating technical information using clear language and descriptive graphics. Tina manages projects by providing stakeholder outreach and engagement through in-person, phone, email, and social media platforms. She coordinates with elected officials and stakeholders to ensure that all are informed and engaged about construction activities, conducts surveys and provides results, manages stakeholder meetings, and engages the public at activity centers.
SARAH SWENSSON KING
Director of Community Outreach
Sarah is an award-winning communications leader bringing 16 years of government, public, and media relations experience in the transportation industry – spanning surface transportation, transit, rail, toll facilities and aviation. She is skilled in implementing small- and large-scale public relations and social media programs, media strategies, crisis communications, and special events and has experience in all phases of a project from planning and environmental to design and construction. Her experience includes SBCTA I-10 Express Lanes and Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) and Caltrans District 12 I-5 Managed Lanes and I-405 Asset Management Design-Build Project.
mARISA cAMPOS TRAUTZ
Director of Community Outreach and Talent Development
Marisa has more than 12 years of experience in creating and executing public awareness campaigns and strategic marketing communication plans on behalf of transportation projects throughout Southern California. She has extensive experience in Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. She works to educate and engage stakeholders using a range of strategies and techniques to meet the needs and characteristics of the community. She has facilitated team meetings, planned and managed public meetings, presented to city councils and staff, worked with elected officials, stakeholders, the public and the media to disseminate key messages regarding a project, and she has managed and coordinated subconsultant and vendor efforts to execute tactics for the client’s project, project, or initiative.
MADISON VIOLA
Director of Community Outreach
Madison has more than 14 years of experience performing public outreach including agency and constituent coordination, collateral development and event planning such as groundbreakings, project dedications, open houses, and press conferences. She also has superior communication and organizational skills, fundamental to garnering community understanding and support for large-scale infrastructure projects. She has been responsible for overseeing day-to-day management and communications for several projects throughout San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange counties including OCTA West County Connectors, Caltrans District 7 I-5 Widening, and SBCTA SR 210 Lane Addition and Base Line Interchange Project. Madison is an expert in AP style and excels in a fast-paced environment , while maintaining attention to detail.