Maura Carabello

Managing Partner

Maura Carabello is an original owner and the managing partner of The Exoro Group. A clear, strategic thinker with a diverse and solid policy background, Maura is often the lead partner for strategy and management of large scale efforts, advising major corporations, industry groups and government officials. She has significant experience in controversial issues, media relations, communications and high-profile event management. Her experience also includes managing U.S. Congressional campaigns, as well as dozens of local campaigns and state-wide/local ballot initiatives.

An experienced presenter, facilitator and trainer for individuals and corporations, Maura has conducted many seminars on topics including: media training, public advocacy, coalition building, legislation and policy, board development, fundraising, political grassroots, data targeting and management. She is a seasoned spokesperson and commentator appearances include The Today Show, Crossfire, NPR, as well as local TV, print and radio.

Over her career, Maura has consulted with many non-profits and she continues to assist several groups in their missions. Maura has been the Executive Director of the Children's Friend Foundation, The Utah Statehood Centennial Commission, and The Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah. She has worked with The Trust for Public Lands and Inter-Aid International (a community development organization where she was based in Uganda, East Africa) and several other not-for-profit groups.

Maura has also done several national events, including managing the welcome home celebration for the Utah Sesquicentennial Wagon Train which over 100,000 people attended and press from all over the world covered. She was involved in planning a coast to coast whistle stop train sponsored by Fortune 100 companies and planned stops in over 500 cities throughout the U.S. During this time, Maura also worked for TIME INC.'s International News tour, which afforded Fortune 500 CEO's the opportunity to visit "news-making" countries and to meet with international leaders.

In 2001, the American Council of Young Political Leaders selected Maura as one of eight up-and-coming political leaders from over 300 nominees to serve as a United States delegate to Australia where she met with national and local politicians, business/community leaders and civic groups to study and discuss issues common to the international community. Maura later served as the escort on a similar trip to Japan. In 2005 she was given the Distinguished Alumni Award from this organization.

LaVarr Webb

Partner and Founder

LaVarr Webb is founder of The Exoro Group, directs the firms publishing activities, and serves as principal on many projects. With more than 30 years of experience in the communications, government and political arenas, LaVarr specializes in public policy communications and political strategy. His experience helps clients achieve their objectives by delivering persuasive messages to their key audiences through a variety of communications channels.

LaVarr spent 20 years of his career as a journalist, working first for The Spectrum in southern Utah, and then for nearly 17 years as political editor, city editor and managing editor of Salt Lake City's Deseret Morning News. He covered hundreds of political campaigns, legislative sessions, and political party conventions, and also wrote a popular weekly opinion column for many years. In management positions he directed overall news coverage and the efforts of dozens of editors, reporters, photographers, artists and support personnel.

In 1992, he ran Mike Leavitt's first campaign for governor, winning in a crowded field. He served in the new administration as Gov. Leavitt's deputy for policy, and also wrote speeches and directed major projects. He was the governor's liaison to the Western Governors Association, the Republican Governors Association and the National Governors Association, and led a number of federalism, natural resources and technology initiatives.

LaVarr helps national and local clients with government relations and public policy communications needs. He also co-authors a popular weekly political column and publishes Utah Policy Daily (www.utahpolicy.com), a daily e-newsletter for political junkies.

Kayla Woodring

Associate

Kayla joined The Exoro Group in 2011, after acquiring backgrounds in communication and policy work. Prior to joining The Exoro Group, Kayla lobbied for veterans rights, particularly those rights pertaining to female service members, with Veterans of Foreign Wars. Kayla also worked as an Associate Producer on Fox 13's "Good Day Utah," and as part of Utah State University's PR team.
Kayla has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, both from Utah State University.

During her academic career, Kayla received a research fellowship from USU and focused much of her time studying the increasingly complex intersection between media and politics. She was named Undergraduate Researcher of the Year for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors in University Studies and Departmental Honors.

Kayla is excited to be a part of The Exoro Group and to put her media-savvy insight to work for her clients.

Craig Nielson

Firm Administrator

Craig joined The Exoro Group in the fall of 2010 to manage Exoro’s financial affairs and to serve as project leader on strategic communications projects. He comes to us from the Center for Public Policy & Administration at the University of Utah, where for two years he worked as program manager. Craig interned with the Salt Lake County Council and the US State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol before graduating with his Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah in 2008. He founded the University of Utah chapter of Sigma Iota Rho, an honors society for students interested in International affairs.

Lauren Richards

Associate

Lauren Richards joined The Exoro Group in 2008. She has extensive experience in national, state legislative, and local political grassroots campaigns including the development of successful strategic plans for political candidates, propositions, and initiatives. Her organizational, project, event management and fundraising skills are recognized and valued by those who have engaged her services.

Lauren has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a minor in Business from the University of Utah. While attending the University she interned for Congressman Jim Matheson’s office in Washington, DC and worked in various positions at the Utah State Legislature. Lauren has valuable lobbying experience on a variety of state and local issues.

Lauren has enjoyed managing the Bank The Vote project for Zions Bank, Utah’s Hogle Zoo Proposition 2 Campaign, and various legislative support campaigns including the American Heart Association and the Can Do Coalition (convened by the Salt Lake Chamber).

Lauren is a member of the University of Utah Beehive Honor Society, and has been a member of the Lambda Delta Sigma Inter-chapter Council. She performed volunteer service to Lansing, Michigan from 2006-2007.

Brandon Monson

Associate

Brandon came to the Exoro Group with a diverse background in fundraising, strategic communications, field organizing, and program management. Brandon has been fortunate to work in a variety of organizational settings including campaigns, academia, for-profit, and non-profit organizations. He is results-oriented and thrives on being able to deliver high-caliber results to his clients.

Brandon is originally from Salt Lake, speaks Russian, and enjoys working on new projects and clients with the Exoro Group. He also holds a B.A. in Political Science from DePauw University.

Kameron Lopez

Administrative Assistant

Kameron is from St. George, Utah. She received her Associates of Arts at Dixie College and her Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University. Kameron has traveled throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States as a marketing representative for the Seattle-based Holland America Line and has had multiple administrative assistant jobs in arts organizations from New York City to Los Angeles. Kameron is as meticulous about keeping an organized office as she is about bringing creativity—and fun—to the projects with which she’s involved. She is excited to be helping people reach their creative potential.