The Mach 1 Group - Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Firm

Public Affairs.
Strategic Communications.
Crisis Management.

The Mach 1 Group is a nationally-recognized, award-winning Austin-based firm serving organizations and individuals whose interests are in the public realm. We are a certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB), being 100 percent female-founded and -owned.

Our goal is swift and excellent service to clients who require expert communications counsel to achieve their business goals.

Whether defense or offense, the Mach 1 team has decades of experience successfully navigating media attention, crisis response, reputation management, branding, legislative and regulatory initiatives, and campaigns.

In the age of the 24-hour news cycle, communications experts at your leadership table are a must. Contact our team today to see how we can serve you.

Public Affairs & Media

Whether playing offense or defense on a legislative or regulatory issue, we draw on decades of experience in campaigns and government to build the winning game plan for smart organizations.

Crisis & Reputation Management

On good days, we help inoculate against a potential reputation crisis. On bad days, we parachute in to handle some of the toughest crises organizations can face, managing and mitigating reputational assaults, stabilizing and rebuilding.

Executive Positioning & Thought Leadership

Executive positioning, thought leadership, speech preparation and media relations are in high demand for C-level corporate leaders. Those skills have never been more of an asset than they are today as organizations communicate across multiple platforms and need effective brand& mission ambassadors.

Public Opinion Research

How does your key audience feel about your mission and your goals? Step 1 to successful campaigns and communications efforts is doing the homework.

Events

Building a newsworthy and effective event – whether live or virtual – is both an art and a science. From large-scale campaign events to capitol press conferences, wise organizations invest in projecting the message that matches their goals.

Media Training

Practice, practice, practice. That’s what makes effective communicators, candidates and mission ambassadors.

Katherine McLane

Founder & CEO

In 2013, McLane founded the Mach 1 Group — leveraging decades of experience in communications and crisis management to provide outstanding service to brands and organizations whose issues are on the front pages every day. Today, Mach 1 has assembled a nationally-recognized team recruited out of newsrooms and the halls of government providing a wide range of public relations and public affairs services.

McLane formerly served as Vice President for Communications & External Affairs for the LIVESTRONG Foundation. She is a veteran of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration and a former Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education during the George W. Bush administration. McLane’s roots are in Texas where she began her career at Public Strategies, Inc.

McLane has built a reputation both locally and nationally as an innovative content creator, insightful and compassionate business owner and steadfast community advocate. She was named to the Top Women in PR, Business Entrepreneurs list by PRNEWS (’23), PR Professional of the Year by Public Relations Society of America (’13), Outstanding Communicator of the Year by Women Communicators of Austin (’22), an Austin Business Journal Profiles in Power Finalist, the Female Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 18th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business (’21), and was also named one of Insight Success’ Most Disruptive Women Entrepreneurs to Watch (’21). McLane is a proud pro-bono PR partner for Keep Austin Fed, member of the Austin Women’s Symphony League, former chair of the Ann Richards School Foundation Board of Directors, and serves on the Austin Business Journal Leadership Trust and Capital Area Council of the BSA, formerly Boy Scouts of America.

McLane is a graduate of Texas A&M University and she and her husband Brett are proud parents to Jack and Ian.

Mary Bell Love

Partner & Chief Operating Officer

Love is a public affairs expert with extensive media relations, political strategy, crisis management and strategic communication expertise. Love manages a wide breadth of clients for Mach 1 – from higher education institutions and non-profits to trade associations – and specializes in oil and gas, water and electric industry communications as director of the firm’s natural resources practice.

Before joining the Mach 1 Group, Love served as Director Public Affairs for the Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), where she was nominated for Outstanding Women in Texas Government.

Love’s experience and savvy has earned her an award from the Austin Alliance for Women in Media for Agency Planner of the Year (’23) and a nomination for Austin Business Journal’s Women in Business (’22), which celebrates Central Texas women at the top of their industry.

A 7th generation Texan, Love is passionate about sharing her talents to serve her local community. She is the co-founder and Vice President of the American Energy Institute and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Pink Granite Foundation and Women’s Symphony League of Austin. She’s a former board member of the Austin Alliance for Women in Media and KLRU Community Advisory Board. In addition, she serves on the Austin Business Journal Leadership Trust and is an active member of Women Communicators of Austin and the Public Relations Society of America.

Love earned both her Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degree from Texas State University. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband Jared.

Brett Fey

Chief Financial Officer

Brett Fey is an operations expert with 30 years of experience managing teams big and small. His strengths in financial planning, strategy and resourcing keep Mach 1 thriving.

Talan Tyminski

Vice President

Tyminski is a crisis communication expert and public affairs professional with experience in the public and private sectors. She has over half a decade of experience in and around the Texas government. Prior to joining Mach 1, she led the Texas Workforce Commission’s Crisis Communications response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her quick rise in the public relations world has been recognized nationally, earning her a spot as a PRNEWS Rising Star (’23) and Ragan Communications / PR Daily Rising Star (’23).

Tyminski holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Economics from Bradley University, where she was a three-time national runner up in informative and impromptu speaking. She received her master’s degree in communications studies from Texas State University and attended the University of Texas at Austin’s Lyndon B. Johnson Women’s Campaign School.

She is an active member of Austin’s Young Women’s Alliance, Emerge America’s Young Leaders Cabinet, Women Communicators of Austin and the Pink Granite Foundation. In 2021, she was appointed to the City of Austin’s Minority-Owned Business, Women-Owned Business, Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee.

Jennifer Kendall

Vice President

Kendall is a newsroom expert with broad experience in content creation, media relations, messaging and strategy. Prior to joining Mach 1, Kendall spent more than ten years as an award-winning reporter for local news stations in Texas. She also worked on the assignment desk for Fox News Channel’s Los Angeles bureau, where she gathered news tips in 17 states and shared breaking news information with national correspondents and local affiliates. Kendall’s credentials include training behind the camera with top industry professionals.

At Mach 1, she shares her newsroom skills and expertise to help clients best achieve their public relations goals.

Kendall attended Arizona State University, earned her master’s degree from the University of Southern California and is super-mom to Kayden.

Maggie Glynn

Vice President

Glynn is a communications expert with impressive storytelling experience. Prior to joining Mach 1, she served as a Capitol Correspondent for the Nexstar Media Group which encompasses Austin-based KXAN-TV and 13 other news stations across Texas. Tasked with daily reporting on the legislature and executive branch, Glynn has researched, interviewed, and reported on some of the biggest breaking news stories in the state. Glynn was at the forefront of the coverage of the state’s response to COVID-19 and Winter Storm Uri while also landing exclusive interviews ahead of the 2022 primaries on both sides of the aisle.

Glynn earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Marquette University.

Transitioning to the public relations industry at Mach 1, she now helps clients achieve the media coverage and impact they desire. Glynn was recently recognized as a Finalist for the Austin Alliance for Women in Media Awards, Rookie of the Year (’23).

Dylan MacInerney

Vice President

MacInerney has an impressive background in federal and state government with advanced crisis and policy communications experience. He started his career in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., where he served as legislative staff for Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-08) and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02). Dylan's legislative portfolio covered Defense, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Trade & Finance, including helping organize the response to Hurricane Harvey.

MacInerney attended Creighton University and holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Texas.

At Mach 1, MacInerney’s policy expertise helps clients develop effective messaging and reach descision-makers to achieve their public affairs goals.

Alice Claiborne

Vice President

Claiborne is a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in the media communications industry. She has worked in the public and private sector, building expertise in pitching, message development, brand awareness and targeted marketing. She began her career as a television news producer in East Texas and then transitioned to state and local political communications. Before joining Mach 1, Claiborne served as Communications Director for Texas State Senator Donna Campbell, and prior to that role, as Communications Director for former Austin City Council Member Ellen Troxclair.

Claiborne’s impressive knowledge of city and state government and strong media connections across Texas helps Mach 1 clients target their messaging and achieve their public relations goals.

Claiborne is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, adoring wife to Casey and mom to little boys Carson and Henry.

Mollie Young

Director of Marketing

Young is a distinguished communications professional with experience in national cable broadcast news, federal and state government, and campaign strategy. She began her career at The Fox News Channel in New York City, where she helped produce hit cable news shows such as ‘Glenn Beck,’ ‘The Five,’ and ‘Hannity.’ While in Washington, D.C., Young worked as a Communications Director on Capitol Hill and later as the Director of TV and Radio for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Prior to moving to Texas, Young was Director of Communications for the North Carolina Speaker of the House, worked in Gov. Pat McCrory’s Administration and helped run a Gubernatorial primary campaign in South Carolina.

Young is a graduate of the University at Buffalo. In her personal time, she enjoys exploring Europe with her husband Brian and three little kids — Harrison, Adeline and Amelia.

After several years with Mach 1, Young consults on client projects, national outreach and helps run marketing for the firm.

Testimonials

The entire team at Mach 1 was supportive and professional and essential in helping WGU Texas maintain its relevancy and reputation. As a strategic partner, they always had our best interests in mind and their attention and time was focused on our success. They were essential in maintaining positive media and visibility.

– Linda Battles, Chancellor WGU Texas

I’ve worked with the Mach 1 Group for years on various public relations initiatives – from state and local advocacy efforts to digital strategies. They are a top tier group of PR professionals – and on a personal level, they are a pleasure to work with. I would recommend them for anything related to crisis management, strategic communication and public affairs at the local, state and national levels. They’re experts in media training too!

– Carol McGarah, Chief Executive Officer
Blackridge Governmental Affairs Consultant

I have worked with Mach1 on multiple projects and am consistently impressed with the success they help to achieve for mutual clients through their professionalism and ability to move and adapt quickly. Mach1 is unparalleled in developing targeted content, getting stories placed with the appropriate outlets, and moving the needle in public opinion. They are the “go to” experts in public relations and crisis training, and I highly recommend them for all of your PR needs!

– Michelle Wittenburg, President
Wittenburg & Associates LLC

My team and I worked with Mach 1 for a public relations rollout of a very technical initiative, and their ability to make a complex subject understandable and interesting is very impressive. This is a one-of-a-kind team of PR pros that I’d recommend to anyone in Austin, Texas and the rest of the country.

– Carlos Espinosa, VP Strategic Communications & Marketing
Texas Bankers Association

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mach 1 for years, and their work is exceptional. Everyone on their team is a high-level public relations expert: creative, diligent and professional, with a remarkable ability to secure meaningful state, local and national press for our clients.

– Cassie LaMere, Founder and Creative Director
Cassie LaMere Events

Katherine and the Mach 1 team are best in class when it comes to strategic communications, public policy, community engagement, and public relations. They focus on building plans and relationships that are best positioned to achieve the outlined goals.

Mach1 delivers results by planning and executing strategies that are wholistic in nature and not transactional. It has been a pleasure to work with the team over many years and the results have been transformational.