TAMPA (April 7, 2008) - Sahlman Williams, the Tampa-based public relations and marketing firm celebrating its 25th anniversary this month, has opened a West Coast office in Southern California.  The cross-country expansion is in response to the firm’s growing roster of food clients with national communications needs, according to John M. Williams, the firm’s president.

Sahlman Williams was established April 1, 1983, as The Sahlman Company by longstanding public relations counselor and Tampa resident Ann V. Sahlman.  She retains an active role as chairman and senior counsel with Sahlman Williams.  In 1997, Williams and Cheryl Miller were named partners, and the firm’s name was changed to Sahlman Williams to better reflect its growth, particularly in the food and beverage industry.  Williams, who was formerly based in Nashville and New York, joined the firm as vice president in 1995.  Miller, who began her career with the firm in 1987, currently is senior vice president, overseeing operations, administration and financial management.  Williams and Miller will remain in the firm’s Tampa headquarters.

“The opening of our West Coast office this month is a significant move for Sahlman Williams,” says Williams.  “During the last decade, we’ve strategically built a public relations practice for regional and national food communications.”

Gary Caloroso, vice president with Sahlman Williams, will oversee the Los Angeles area office in Westlake Village, Calif.  Caloroso, a West Coast produce industry veteran previously based in Southern California, joined Sahlman Williams in 2006.  Fluent in Spanish, Caloroso has more than a decade’s worth of broad-based communications experience that encompasses public relations, issues management, crisis communications, brand marketing and multicultural communications.

“California is the nation’s number one agricultural state, and Gary continues to have strong news media, produce industry and community ties on the West Coast,” Williams says.  “So this is a logical step for us, and it makes perfect sense for him to head up the new office.”

Sahlman Williams clients include Tampa-headquartered Sweetbay Supermarket, the Chilean Avocado Importers Association, Produce for Kids and the Georgia Pecan Commission – a client it has represented for 12 years.  The firm also represents the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, the Vidalia Onion Committee, the Georgia Peach Commission and Canadian-based Europe’s Best premium frozen fruits.

In addition, the firm has recently promoted statewide tours and educational programs conducted in Florida by two of California’s leading wine region organizations – the Napa Valley Vintners Association and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.

Sahlman Williams is a partner of IPREX, a network of independent public relations firms with offices throughout the U.S. and worldwide.  For more information about Sahlman Williams, go to www.sahlmanwilliams.com.