MICHAEL FENENBOCK

The son of UCLA and NFL football great Chuck Fenenbock, Michael was born and raised in Southern California. After a stint in the Air Force, Michael earned a BA and MA in American history from San Francisco State University.

His first serious foray in political campaigns occurred in 1968 when he coordinated Robert Kennedy’s California election effort in Berkeley.

Following two years at the University of Colorado, Boulder (Phd/abd in American history) Michael moved to Montana where he headed public relations for a six state experimental education program.

In 1978 he helped Pat Williams win a longshot Montana Congressional race.  In short order, Michael was invited to join Montana governor Tom Judge’s staff where he served as senior advisor and press secretary.

During Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s 1980 presidential campaign, Michael was tabbed as Deputy Western States Coordinator, before moving to Washington, DC where he joined Senator Kennedy’s national campaign staff and helped coordinate efforts at the 1980 Democratic national convention in New York City.

In 1981-82 Michael served as U.S. Senator John Melcher’s press secretary and senior political aide in Washington, DC.

Michael left Senator Melcher’s staff in 1982 in order to accept a position as Senator Edward Kennedy’s political director.  In that capacity he headed the Senator’s political operation at the 1982 Democratic mini-Convention in Philadelphia.

Acclaimed as one of the nation's top campaign strategists, over the next two years Michael directed three highly visible governor’s races – Evelyn Gandy in Mississippi, Wayne Townsend in Indiana, and Anthony Solomon in Rhode Island.

Returning to Washington, DC, where he established his own media consulting firm, he turned his talents to producing political television advertising. Over the next several years Michael produced advertising for campaigns ranging from Clinton-Gore for President to US Senate and Congressional campaigns.

In 1988 he met and married Daphne Weisbart.  Together they formed a personal and professional partnership.  Their firm, MAX Films, has earned a reputation for producing political advertising that wins tough legislative races.

Daphne and Michael live today with a houseful of bird dogs (vizslas to be precise) in New York's Hudson Valley.