ABOUT

Jude Lemons (formerly Jude Hudson) is a strategic communications consultant with over 30 years of experience in California local government policy issues. She is CEO of Tangerine Lime Communications, which provides content, coaching, and consulting services to clients in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

As a consultant to the League of California Cities, Jude served as Editor in Chief for Western City magazine for 24 years and produced hundreds of articles on municipal issues including economic development; governance, legislation, and law; effective advocacy; diversity, equity, and inclusion;  municipal finance, revenue, and taxation; energy; housing, land use, and planning; public safety, emergency response, and disaster preparedness; public works; the environment, water, and natural resources; transportation and transit; ethics, public trust, and fostering civility in public meetings; public engagement; leadership; and council-manager relations.

Jude’s understanding of local government policy issues is also informed by her in-depth knowledge of California’s local and regional characteristics, based on her work with thousands of elected local officials over the years. She has logged countless hours collaborating with local government leaders and staff to address issues of interest to cities statewide and to provide practical information and tools to support effective local governance.

In addition to producing Western City magazine, Jude has edited and managed many publications designed to meet the needs of local elected officials and public agency staff, including The Planning Commissioner’s Handbook, Navigating the Legislative Process, Securing Voter Approval of Local Revenue Measures, and Rosenberg’s Rules of Order.

Among her noteworthy recent projects, Jude edited and managed production of the Economic Development Resiliency and Recovery Playbook for the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The Playbook is a guide for local jurisdictions to help ensure a more resilient community in the face of economic disruptions and disasters.

She creates content for numerous public agencies, including a community choice aggregator, a waste management authority, an airport authority, and a public arts program.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Jude has worked with numerous organizations, agencies, and companies to help them achieve their vision and meet their goals and objectives. Her work has earned over 25 awards and has been recognized by professional organizations including the California Association of Public Information Officials, the International Association of Business Communicators, and the American Society of Association Executives.

EDUCATION

Jude holds a Bachelor of Science in Design from UC Davis and completed her four-year degree at age 19.