ABOUT THE FIRM
For 10 years, Tenax Strategies has provided end-to-end project management (handling entitlements, communications, and community relations) for land developer clients in some of the most heavily-regulated industries in some of the most challenging municipalities and locations. We clear hurdles and break through walls, managing projects and cutting through the red tape so that our developer clients can unlock opportunities, begin construction and create value.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
PETER D'AGOSTINO, PARTNER
A proven leader, Peter has extensive experience implementing and executing government relations and public policy strategies for private and publicly traded companies, Fortune 500 companies, corporations, partnerships, investors and individuals.
Peter has unique expertise in helping companies negotiate all levels of municipal and state government as they seek approval of projects related to state and municipal licensing, land use entitlements, zoning changes as well as other state or municipal approvals He regularly represents clients before Select Boards, City Councils, Planning Boards, Boards of Health, Zoning Boards of Appeal, Regulatory Authorities and other state and local agencies Peter works to achieve successful outcomes for both his clients and the municipalities
Well versed in the regulatory and legislative challenges of emerging industries and real estate development, Peter has developed a reputation as one of the leading strategists in state and municipal licensing, land use entitlements and zoning throughout the country. He is skilled at illustrating for communities the many benefits of emerging industries and real estate development.
In emerging, highly regulated, industries, such as cannabis, Peter has established himself as a national leader. Since 2012, Peter and the Tenax team have been representing operators to help them get licensed and get open. Peter assists clients with site selection, building municipal support, land use approvals, permitting, community outreach, licensing, general business consulting and post operational compliance support He also specializes in locating zoning compliant sites and assisting operators through the permitting process, Peter provides a comprehensive project management approach, often taking companies, investors or individuals from concept to commence operations
Peter served for 11 years in the United States Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 and a Blackhawk helicopter instructor pilot During his time in the Army, Peter focused on program and training development for the U.S. and allied personnel. He represented the United States for government aviation operations with several nations, including Mexico, England, Germany, Turkey, Poland, South Korea, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq.
GREG D'AGOSTINO, PARTNER
With over 20 years of experience in public affairs, Greg is a highly-skilled strategist that has managed campaigns for a wide spectrum of highly-regulated industries and complex legislative and regulatory issues
He leveraged his decades of public affairs experience to spearhead Tenax's multi-state expansion of the cannabis practice, providing cannabis consulting and project management services to clients in emerging and legal markets across the country.
Greg's top priority is delivering value to clients by helping new operators get started in the industry, assisting existing operators to enter new markets, and expanding their portfolio of assets. Greg is driven to protect he position of his clients in the marketplace to deliver clients a return on investment.
Greg is a creative problem solver and a passionate advocate for his clients, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the cannabis industry to develop innovative solutions that drive success. He is an experienced strategist and negotiator, adept at navigating the ever-changing landscape of the cannabis industry to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients and is committed to delivering results that exceed expectations.
Before Greg acquired Tenax Strategies, he served as COO of one of Boston’s most successful communications and public affairs firms. Greg’s top goals were to protect his client’s business interests, grow their businesses, or create new opportunities for them in their respective industries. Early in his career, Greg worked with many of Massachusetts’ top elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, and former Lt Gov Tim Murray
Issues Our Clients Face
Tenax has experience working with real estate development firms facing some of the following issues:
Restrictive Zoning
Onerous Local Permitting Process
Motivated Anti-Development Activism
Underutilized Land
Uncoordinated Partners
Lengthy Entitlement Processes
The Tenax Difference
Tenax employs a multipronged approach to take development projects through these complex approval processes. We think creatively, take action, and get results through comprehensive government relations and public affairs campaigns to persuade key stakeholders
Contested Entitlements
Our campaigns synergize the formal, technical aspects of government relations with the reach and accessibility necessary for a successful public affairs campaign We draft letters to Zoning Boards of Appeals, gather necessary documents from engineers and architects, organize supportive residents to attend public hearings, and publish material advocating for your project.
Integrated Project Management
Unlike attorneys, our services and expertise are not limited to the technical and regulatory aspects of these projects. Attorneys know how to communicate with judges and other attorneys; we know how to work with local officials, community leaders, and the general public. We also selfperform the work, rather than simply creating a plan and advising clients on what to do. We execute that plan, including taking on the often-laborintensive government relations and public affairs tasks, managing the project from beginning to end. We investigate opportunities, sort through state and local regulations and bylaws, and build coalitions of support in local communities.
We leverage the expertise of civil engineers, architects, and other professionals to create an efficient and cohesive campaign that communicates your plan to the relevant stakeholders in the appropriate venue and manner
Tenax Campaigns: What We Do
There are many steps toward achieving these goals, and many require deep industry expertise and experience, and frequently, extensive research, outreach and administrative work. We handle it all.
We don’t take just the bull by the
Municipal Relations
Political/Landscape Assessment
Tenax assesses the viability of a project by obtaining and leveraging various sources of information including engaging directly with officials, analyzing past approvals and denials, and predicting community reception.
Regulatory Analysis
In addition to reading and communicating the relevant regulations, Tenax finds creative solutions and avenues for your project. Legislation like builders remedies, legal precedent and other factors add another dimension to a simple zoning map and use table analysis.
Strategy
After the necessary analyses, Tenax will develop a strategy that incorporates and considers every possible contingency, their likelihoods, and the value they would bring to you. Wherever your project finds itself in the entitlement process, Tenax will know how to proceed from there.
Permitting/Entitlement
Tenax coordinates and executes timely submittals of state-required materials and documentation for approvals and permits These are complex, often tedious and labor-intensive undertakings that involve the review, creation and coordination of hundreds of pages of documents, filings and emails We take on that work and make it our job to make you successful in the community We remove the burden from the client.
Bylaw Amendment
Sometimes local government is amenable to change. Constrictive zoning limitations can often be solved for by understanding regulations and then taking the time to listen to the community and local leaders about what they want and engaging with them about how your project fits into their vision.
Communications
Advocacy in Print Media/Social Media
Tenax will speak to journalists on and off the record to ensure that your side gets a fair hearing in the court of public opinion, whether that’s in a local paper or in community Facebook groups
Public-Facing Collateral
Tenax knows that a picture speaks a thousand words, and renderings of your project will be the foundation of the public’s perception of a proposed project. We produce websites, pamphlets, and other materials that communicate the case for your project to the general public.
Community Relations
Stakeholder Engagement
Many projects are won and lost in public community meetings and in the homes of abutters. We alleviate unfounded fears and skepticism, listen to concerns, and answer questions to take the pressure off of local officials.
Local Support Organization
Many residents are supportive of development in their communities, but often do not have an existing organization through which to make their voices heard. Tenax turns idle support into letters to the editor, comments at public meetings and signatures on petitions
