Alex Tourk

Infobox Person
name = Alex Tourk


image_size = 150px
caption = Alex Tourk
birth_date = Birth date and age|1971|2|28|mf=y
birth_place = USA
death_date =
death_place =
occupation = Political consultant
spouse = Ruby Rippey-Tourk
parents =
children =

Alex Tourk (born February 28 1971) is a political consultant from San Francisco, California. He has worked as an aide to California Assembly member Lou Papan and San Francisco Mayors Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom. Tourk is currently working as Campaign Manager on Jackie Speier's special election campaign for California's 12th Congressional District [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/21lessig.html?ref=politics Web Legal Scholar Considers Run for House] , New York Times".] . He previously worked with Project Homeless Connect, a project that addresses homelessness in San Francisco. Tourk's name was in national headlines when his wife, Ruby-Tourk, was revealed for having an affair with Gavin Newsom, Tourk's friend, leading Tourk to resign. Tourk graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1989, where he was a member of the Madrigal Singers.

Family

He is married to Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who hosts a weekly radio show for Benefit Magazine in San Francisco [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/01/MNGM8NSSD91.DTL AIDE QUITS AS NEWSOM'S AFFAIR WITH HIS WIFE IS REVEALED] , "San Francisco Chronicle".] and they have a son.

Political career

*He served as Aide to Democratic Assemblyman Lou Papan from San Mateo [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/MNGVJNTI5D1.DTL LOYAL AIDE: Well-liked staffer said to be Newsom's truest backer] , "San Francisco Chronicle".]
*Served as Aide to San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. "I am proud to have hired Alex into city government when he joined Mayor Brown's government in neighborhood services," said Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who called Tourk "an exceptional human being."

*Served as San Franscisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's campaign manager and deputy chief of staff [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/24/MNG0VLUREQ1.DTL&feed=rss.news Despite doubts, Newsom's camp gears up for '07] , "San Francisco Chronicle".] On January 31, 2007, he resigned as Newsom's campaign manager after he confronted the mayor about a sexual relationship Newsom had with his wife, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who worked in Newsom's office [ [http://www.ktvu.com/news/10893656/detail.html Newsom Focuses On Business After Apology] , Fox2 News, KTVU.] as the mayor's appointment secretary.

Accomplishments

*Tourk was also responsible for implementing efforts to encourage businesses and citizens to work with government agencies to solve problems together.
*Implemented the launched the "Volunteering is Sexy" program encouraging volunteerism throughout the city of San Francisco. [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=37&entry_id=13474 The Chronicle Local News Blog: It's Impossible To Be Too Sexy For This Shirt] , "San Francisco Chronicle".]
*Tourk was responsible for implementing the homeless program "Project Homeless Connect" [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/09/BAGR9G5GBM1.DTL&hw=alex+tourk&sn=068&sc=108 BAY AREA AND NATION: One day to help the homeless] , "San Francisco Chronicle".] in San Francisco that has been replicated in 22 other cities.

Civic recognition

:Alex Tourk was present at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to mark the city's 15th Project Homeless Connect, an acclaimed program he helped the Newsom Administration launch in 2004. [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/03/21/MNGPVBSH351.DTL&hw=alex+tourk&sn=045&sc=143 New help for the homeless] , "San Francisco Chronicle".] The program invites homeless people to a one stop location where they can access services, including health screenings and housing assistance. Hundreds of volunteers who gathered in the balcony of the auditorium for a morning rally to kick off the event gave Tourk, who turned 36 on Wednesday, a standing ovation and marked the occasion by singing "Happy Birthday" as he was introduced by an emcee. A steady stream of people walked up to extend warm wishes to Tourk and shake his hand, including one of Newsom's police bodyguards who hugged Tourk. [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/01/BAGO7OD64M1.DTL Newsom praises Alex Tourk] , "San Francisco Chronicle".] Alex Tourk has signed a contract to continue working with San Francisco's Project Connect. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/04/BAGPHOF7BA1.DTL Alex Tourk makes Lemonade] , "San Francisco Chronicle".]

Private Sector

*Started his own lobbying and public relations firm Ground Floor Public Affairs [http://gfpublicaffairs.com/ Ground Floor Public Affairs official website] ] . He is in talks with Maria Shriver, wife of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, about taking the nonprofit Project Connect state wide in California.

References

ee also

* Consultant
* Political Campaign