Meet the Special District Strategies Team
Cole Arreola-Karr | Founder/Principal
Cole Arreola-Karr leads Special District Strategies, L.L.C. with an unapologetically nerdy passion for special districts and the essential services they often-quietly deliver to thousands of communities across the country. He founded SDS on a simple, but powerful, belief: special districts are stronger when they are united, supported, and understood. That conviction continues to drive SDS’s mission today.
Cole brings more than 13 years of professional experience in strategic communication, intergovernmental affairs, coalition building, and grassroots advocacy. His work is grounded in a deep sense of community and a commitment to strengthening the most local of local government – special districts. He champions the values that define strong special districts; that is: local control, accountable and efficient governance, and the stewardship of taxpayer and ratepayer investments.
A proud advocate for “the little guy” in local government, Cole’s passion for special districts is rooted in personal history. Growing up in rural southwest Missouri, he saw firsthand how fire protection, ambulance, soil and water conservation, library, and public water supply districts form the backbone of rural infrastructure and services. His great-grandfather, Wayne Sweatt, served as a charter board member of the Camden County (Mo.) Ambulance District, his mother worked at the Laclede County (Mo.) Health Department (a special district), and Cole fondly remembers attending annual meetings of the Camden County (Mo.) Soil and Water Conservation District with his grandparents. These experiences shaped his belief in the critical role special districts play in everyday public service.
Cole launched SDS in 2022—then known as Karr Advocacy Strategies—on a mission to build special districts’ capacity to advocate and strengthen the special-purpose sector of local government. His first client, the National Special Districts Coalition (Oct. 2022–Mar. 2024), benefitted from his leadership in developing and executing a robust federal advocacy campaign that advanced legislation to formally define “special district” in federal law.
Since 2024, Cole has proudly led the creation of two statewide organizations serving all types of special districts in Arizona and Missouri. These associations aim to expand networking, governance education, and advocacy opportunities for the full spectrum of special districts. He also authors the Special Districts Download, a regular newsletter delivering insight into policy developments and emerging trends affecting district operations nationwide. In addition, Cole has supported governance and strategic initiatives for the Lakeshore Villages (La.) Community Development District – including positioning the district of up to $3.9 million in mitigation finance opportunities over five years.
Cole’s career in special districts began in 2019 as the Bakersfield-based Public Affairs Field Coordinator for the California Special Districts Association, where he connected districts across a region the size of Indiana—from the Central Valley to the Eastern Sierra—with professional development and advocacy resources. A highlighted success of this experience is winning a $2 million allocation of CARES Act funding for Kern County special districts to reimburse early expenses of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before entering the special district world, Cole spent five years working for members of Congress—Rep. Vicky Hartzler (2012, 2013–2015), Rep. Billy Long (2015), and then–House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (2016–2018)—as well as a year of service in the Missouri House of Representatives. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri.
Based: Arvada, Colo.
Hometown: Lebanon (Stoutland), Mo.
Contact: (720) 219-0750 | cole@karradvocacy.com
Alissa Crigger | Special Districts Engagement Specialist
As the SDS Districts Engagement Specialist, Alissa is focused on connecting with special district leaders and stakeholders providing critical infrastructure and essential local services in their communities. This includes researching and identifying where special districts are and how they operate.
Alissa plays a crucial role to ensure district officials are aware of, and engaged with, important resources for their networking, education, and advocacy.
“I have a deep appreciation for the essential services special districts provide to our communities, and I am eager to collaborate with their leaders to align resources with local needs and ensure their voices are effectively represented in state government,” Alissa says. “I am thrilled to be part of the team at Special District Strategies and to be working to support and strengthen special districts.”
Alissa began her role formally in May 2025. Since, she has been pivotal in the development of the Missouri Special Districts Alliance and communications on upcoming governance events.
“Alissa is a highly motivated and dedicated professional, and I deeply appreciate her interest and service-oriented approach to helping special districts,” says Cole Arreola-Karr, SDS Founder/Principal. “She is a stellar addition as SDS’ first formal team member, and it is an honor to have her aboard. Together, we are able to elevate services and connections among special districts where they need it most.”
Alissa holds two Bachelor’s Degrees from Drury University – one in Public Administration and another in Organizational Communication and Development. Prior to joining SDS, she served as Legislative Assistant in the Missouri House of Representatives, where she gained valuable insight into the legislative process and constituent advocacy.
Alissa is a lifelong resident of rural Missouri. She lives on a budding sunflower farm in the Ozarks with her husband and son, where they enjoy spending time outdoors. The Crigger Family is currently working on a goal to visit every state park in Missouri. As of May 2025, they had visited 71 out of the state’s 93 parks.
Based/Hometown: Lebanon, Mo.
Contact: alissa@specialdistrictstrategies.com
The News & Advocacy Subscription for a Special Purpose
Subscribe to SDS' flagship newsletter to get the latest news, advocacy resources, and perspectives on federal issues and state policy trends for America's special district leaders.