We bring to clients a depth and breadth of experience in a wide variety of disciplines and vertical markets. Here are snapshot bios:

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Neal Leavitt

Neal established Leavitt Communications in 1991. He brings to clients a unique blend of more than 25 years of marketing communications and journalism expertise. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from UC-Berkeley and a Master of Arts degree in journalism & public affairs from American University in Washington, DC. He has also lived abroad and has traveled extensively to more than 80 countries worldwide.

As a journalist Neal has served as a city editor, copy editor and reporter for major metropolitan newspapers in California, covering everything from business to technology to travel. He is a regular contributor to a number of technology and interactive marketing publications such as Computer, published by IEEE Computer Society (http://www.computer.org), and iMediaConnection.com (http://www.imediaconnection.com).

Clients he has worked with over the years have encompassed a wide variety of vertical markets in both the public and private sector. Some of these have included: biotech, education, engineering (civil, electrical, geotechnical, mechanical), entertainment, environment, financial, healthcare/medical, industrial, municipalities, public agencies (state and federal), real estate (commercial and residential), sports, and technology (hardware, software, Internet, telecommunications, wireless).

Neal is a member of the Society of Marketing Professionals (SMPS), San Diego Chapter, and served as the Chapter's director of communications.


Barbara Askjaer, APR

Barbara is an accredited communications professional with eight years of diverse in-house and agency experience managing public, media, and investor relations, as well as corporate and employee communications programs. Throughout her career, she has provided counsel and developed strategic communications programs to support the business objectives of public and private biotechnology companies, as well as non-profit life-science and healthcare organizations based in the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Barbara’s international upbringing in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the United States complemented by her professional experience with launching domestic and international life-science programs and organizations, strategic planning and positioning, and top-tier media relations have enabled her to be especially successful in dealing with emerging and mature organizations in constantly evolving environments.

Most recently, she was vice president of communications for the non-profit J. Craig Venter Institute, one of the world's largest genomics research institutes founded by world-renowned scientist and decoder of the human genome, Dr. J. Craig Venter. Previously, as vice president of communications for Ogilvy’s Feinstein Kean Healthcare and earlier for a boutique agency, she assisted emerging biotechnology companies in establishing a credible corporate presence in an effort to meet business objectives including obtaining financing, securing collaborations and licensing agreements, advancing research and clinical programs, and recruiting key management. In Ketchum’s Los Angeles office, she provided public and investor relations counsel to healthcare and life-science clients.

Barbara holds a Master of Arts degree in composition and rhetoric from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. Additionally, she has received her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), serves as a panelist for the APR review process, and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America.


Beth Avant

Beth brings over 11 years of experience in marketing and public relations in the high-technology and wireless industry. She previously served as director of operations for CommNexus San Diego (formerly the San Diego Telecom Council) where she spearheaded the name change and re-branding of the San Diego non-profit organization. Beth was responsible for directing all marketing/public relations activities and managed more than 100 annual industry events sponsored by CommNexus.

Previously, Beth was with Burson-Marsteller and supervised the Sony Electronics account. As account lead for the Sony VAIO computers and Sony digital still camera accounts, she was responsible for leading various multi-city NDA tours, executing all tactical PR campaigns and running the product review program for the multi-national account.

Beth received a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications from San Diego State University. In addition to her public relations and marketing career, Beth is part of the blogging community. These include WorkItMom!, a social networking website for working mothers, and JobMom.


Bruce Bond

A seasoned marketing professional, Bruce Bond offers exceptional corporate, agency and creative experience with such notable organizations as Fluor, HP, IVAC, Medtronic, and SAIC. His strategic and tactical solutions involving new media, broadcast, print and direct mail have helped clients such as Keylime Software, Nhancement Technologies, Sempra Energy and Sharp Mission Park Medical Center increase awareness and revenues by as much as 525 percent.

A writer, Bruce has won numerous awards for his creative endeavors. His extensive portfolio includes projects in a wide array of industries: consumer, biotechnology, fitness products, financial, golf, healthcare, hospitality, real estate and technology products. Bruce was principal of Bond Communications for nearly 10 years.


Kim Chin

Born in Singapore and educated in both his native homeland and the U.S., Kim provides clients with unique expertise in creating strong business relationships based on strong friendships. The Chinese belief in “Guanxi” or “personalized networks of relationships sustained with integrity” is Kim's hallmark approach to opportunities.

Kim's relationship-based business approach is backed by solid technical skills in business development, marketing, public relations, finance and executive coaching.

Kim received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Oregon, and is an alumnus of the Cascade Executive Program, Graduate School of Public Policy, at the University of Washington. He is also an alumnus of the Disney Institute's “Management Excellence” Program.

Kim's experience includes staff positions in both the public and private sectors. He has represented clients in alternative fuels, healthcare, human resources, pharmaceuticals, private equity and alternative investments, public and private transportation and research organizations.

Kim is a member of the National Association of Asian American Professionals and the North Carolina Chinese Business Association.


Ronelle Genser

Ronelle has assisted software, eCommerce, computer peripheral, telecommunications, voice processing, cable, construction, engineering, chemical, metal, sporting goods, industrial machinery, automotive, security, healthcare, service and non-profit companies increase their annual revenues.

Previously she was the national sales manager for AT&S, Inc., a voice processing software company. In this capacity she grew the business from 0 to 50 dealers nationally and 0 to 5 dealers internationally in less than two years. Other entrepreneurial affiliations include Innovative Technology and Migent. During her 12 1/2 year association with General Electric - Information Services Division, she was responsible for the sale of worldwide packet switched network services to large multinational corporations.

Ronnie's specialized skills include developing and evaluating marketing plans and strategic business plans, launching new products and services, establishing domestic and international strategic alliances and dealer/distributor networks, performing market research, designing and implementing public relations and marketing communications programs, producing sales training materials, creating product seminars, implementing telemarketing programs, and organizing trade show participation including post show lead tracking.

Ronnie is an experienced public speaker/executive trainer. She has led numerous corporate sales and marketing seminars. In addition, she has taught sales management, marketing management and international business strategy (in the classroom and online) at the Keller Graduate School of Management and at Clayton College and State University, both in Georgia.

As an accomplished writer/guest editor, her work has appeared in Sales and Marketing Management, Entrepreneur, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and many industry trade publications. She is listed in the Who's Who Registry of Global Business Leaders and International Who's Who of Professionals.

Ronnie received a Master of Arts degree degree in psychology from the University of West Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Rhode Island.


Liana Harrison

Liana has worked as a journalist and photographer for a newspaper owned by the Los Angeles Times, a private magazine and newspaper in Laguna Beach, CA, and has reported on numerous political and social events in Orange County, CA. Her reporting background has enabled her to be successful in creating and implementing public relations campaigns for small and large firms.

Liana also founded Eclipse Communications, a full-service marketing company. Key clients included the City of Irvine; Irvine Transportation Center; City of Laguna Beach, CA; International Parking Design; Carl Walker, Inc.; The Sierra Club; Century 21 Real Estate; Los Angeles Times; Construction Communications; Cushman & Wakefield Real Estate; and Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

Liana received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and public relations from California State University, Fullerton. She is a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Phoenix Chapter, Urban Land Institute and Valley Partnership in Phoenix, AZ.


Rene A. Henry

Rene has had diverse careers in public relations, sports marketing, housing and real estate, television and entertainment, politics, federal service, higher education and as a trade association executive.

In the mid-70s, he co-founded ICPR which became the second largest international PR firm in the West with headquarters in Los Angeles and offices in New York, Washington and Paris. It was the first PR or advertising agency in the U.S. to establish Hispanic marketing and sports marketing divisions. He has counseled Fortune 500 companies, leaders in entertainment, sports and politics, and foreign governments, on a myriad of issues and crises.

He was president and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences; directed international media activities to get Los Angeles the 1984 Olympic Games; and was a senior member of George Bush's 1988 presidential campaign staff. He served in the Bush Administration and was a member of the team at the Department of Labor that researched and implemented the 'Glass Ceiling Initiative.'

From 1991-96 he was executive director of university relations and on the president's executive cabinet at Texas A&M University. For the next five years, until October 2001, he was director of the Office of Communications and Government Relations for the mid-Atlantic states region of the Environmental Protection Agency in Philadelphia.

He has created and produced award-winning videos and television documentaries and authored books on land investment, utility cogeneration, sports and public relations. His books, You'd Better Have a Hose If You Want to Put Out the Fire -- the complete guide to crisis and risk communications and Marketing Public Relations -- the Hows that Make it Work! are used by professionals, professors and students. Offsides!, a book about officiating in the National Football League, was published in 2001.

He was the 2001 chair of the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Society of America and a member of the boards of the Global Initiative Committee and Environmental Section. He served on the boards of the Los Angeles and Philadelphia chapters and Counselors in Higher Education. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and has judged the primetime Emmy awards 12 times. He also serves on the advisory board of the Center for Crisis Public Relations and Litigation Studies at Lehigh University.

Honors include three Silver Anvils from PRSA, two CINE Golden Eagles, three Creative Excellence in Black Advertising awards, the Clarion Award from Women In Communications, Distinguished Citizen Award from the Los Angeles PRSA chapter, 'Best In Texas' Silver Spurs, three medals from WorldFest Houston International Film Festival and numerous awards and citations from professional organizations for campaigns and excellence in public relations.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from The College of William & Mary, did graduate study in marketing at West Virginia University and has taken executive courses at Harvard University.


Kristen Keller

Kristen Keller has more than six years of primarily tech-related PR experience obtained through agency and corporate positions, as well as from her days as an independent consultant. Her clients have covered a diverse range of industries, including everything from computer storage and software, dot.com, and telecommunications companies, to not-for-profit organizations.

Kristen was most recently a senior account executive with MRB Public Relations, where she played a key role in developing PR strategy and managing multiple client teams. Adding to her agency experience, she began her career with Metzger Associates, where she served such clients as International Channel, Mobility Electronics and Sprint PCS.

Kristen gained invaluable corporate PR experience as a member of Maxtor Corporation's internal PR department, where she managed all aspects of the company's worldwide consumer, desktop and server hard disk drive product reviews programs.

As an independent consultant, Kristen aided clients in media and analyst relations efforts, resulting in such coverage as an Associated Press article for a not-for-profit that ran on Christmas day. She was also responsible for the development of winning award entries, as well as case studies, news releases and web content.

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a minor in biology from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Indiana University.


Michelle Linn

Michelle has more than 17 years of strategic planning and communications experience in the healthcare and high technology industries. Michelle previously served as executive vice president at Feinstein Kean Healthcare (FKH), a unit of Ogilvy Public Relations and a leading healthcare communications agency. During her nine-year tenure at FKH/Ogilvy, Michelle provided a wide variety of corporate and marketing communications services to 60+ start-up and mid-size healthcare and technology companies and organizations.

Michelle has extensive experience working with companies seeking assistance with strategic positioning and branding. In addition, she has played an instrumental role in executing crisis communications strategies and coordinating public offerings. Michelle has worked with many companies who require multi-disciplinary communications services, and is able to effectively integrate multiple programs to ensure consistent communications for all audiences.

Michelle’s international experience includes working with government agencies in Belgium, Singapore, New Zealand and Victoria, Australia to gain visibility for their life science expertise and accomplishments.

While at FKH/Ogilvy, Michelle was a member of the Ogilvy 50, a select group of 50 leaders recognized throughout the global Ogilvy Public Relations network, and received a National Silver SABRE award for public relations services provided to a client.

Prior to joining FKH, Michelle managed corporate communications for EcoScience Corporation, an ag-biotech company, where she was responsible for establishing and maintaining EcoScience’s internal corporate communications program. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Bentley College.


Joyce A. McClure

Joyce McClure has been at the helm of leading public relations agencies in New York City, Boston and Los Angeles for more than 30 years. Based in Seattle, Joyce recently served as senior vice president/chief operating officer at Waggener Edstrom for the $80 million Microsoft account with responsibility for financial and resource planning and management.

An innovative manager and mentor, she has assembled and supervised teams in the implementation of award-winning integrated marketing communications programs for a wide range of companies and organizations in the consumer product, financial services, technology, and public sector arenas. In addition to Microsoft, she has worked with DeBeers, Carnation, Nestle, Dunkin' Donuts, Braun, BankBoston, the California Energy Commission, the Boston Police Department and the City of San Jose (CA) among many others. Joyce has also been on the corporate side throughout her career serving, for example, as manager of consumer publicity at Jos. E. Seagram & Sons where she developed programs for the firm's many internationally recognized wines and spirits.

Joyce has often been called on to provide advice and counsel for senior executives on crisis planning and management, presentation skills, speechwriting, and a wide range of marketing issues. She is adept at designing and implementing market research studies, spearheading strategic planning initiatives, designing social marketing campaigns, and helping identify and negotiate partnerships and alliances between like-minded organizations.

While in Boston, Joyce served as an adjunct professor at Emerson College where she taught public speaking and interpersonal communications and has designed and taught numerous seminars and workshops in strategic planning, public relations, crisis management, and presentation skills. In addition, she produced and hosted an award-winning cable television program aimed at small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs while living in New England.


Bridget J. McMinn

A native North Carolinian, Bridget has a successful 25-year track record in strategic marketing, special event management and global business development.

She has led diverse projects ranging from the presidential inaugural celebrations in Washington, D.C. for President Clinton, to the IV International Bamboo Congress in Bali, Indonesia. Bridget’s portfolio includes work at Washington, Inc., the National Air and Space Museum, Value Options, and the World Homecare and Hospice Association coordinating health initiatives from members representing over 30 countries around the world.

Bridget gained her Spanish proficiency through a language immersion program at the Francisco Marroquin Language School in Quetzalenango, Guatemala.

Bridget earned her M.A. in Human Resource Management/International Education from George Washington University, Washington, DC. She received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. While at Meredith, she enrolled in the Summer Study Abroad Program in London, England.


Tim Patterson

Tim has provided corporate, financial and marketing communications services to companies nationwide, including such firms as AT&T, Qwest, Lucent, Avaya, NCR, Johnson & Johnson, Warner Lambert, Hoechst Celanese, American Express, and other companies large and small.

He provides all aspects of communications services aimed at media, analyst, government and customer audiences worldwide. His services encompass executive communications strategy and counsel, media and industry-analyst relations, and editorial services for annual reports, speeches, employee communications, and website content.

Tim has worked at the highest levels of executive communications for company launches and product and service introductions on a national and international scale. One significant project for AT&T, announcing the 50th anniversary of toll-free service, generated more than 15,000 print, television and radio reports worldwide. In another case, Tim oversaw all logistics, support materials and press attendance at an international videoconference to announce a new Lucent business dedicated to electronic messaging worldwide.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University-Long Beach, where he graduated cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree in organizational communications from Brigham Young University, where he graduated summa cum laude.


Richard Stehr

Richard has been a public relations professional for more than 25 years, with most of his recent experience in the technology sector. During the past five years, he served as accounts director and senior writer at AccessM3 Public Relations, representing clients in the wireless broadband, telecommunications, electronic component, power supply, software development, and eCommerce markets.

Richard is especially adept at adapting white papers into articles and editing articles drafted by engineers – many of whom learned English as a second language – and has a strong track record in getting them published in important industry publications (in an earlier life, he was a regional editor of a weekly trade paper, where he authored more than 100 feature articles). He also excels in securing speaking engagements for clients at conferences and seminars.

His PR agency background also includes GGI Group, Simon/McGarry, and Ruder Finn, representing such clients as HP, Merisel, AST Research, HNC Software, and 3D Systems. He was also public relations director for the Los Angeles offices of global advertising agencies D'Arcy, McManus & Masius and SSC&B, where he generated publicity for Kenwood Stereo, Litton Industries, and other top-tier companies.

On the corporate side, Richard headed the PR department at Lockheed Martin's CalComp subsidiary for nearly 12 years, developing and implementing strategic public relations programs for the company and its line of computer graphics peripherals.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications from Arizona State University.


Lisa Brown Valentino

Lisa is an award-winning public relations professional with more than 15 years of experience. She has held senior positions with several prestigious organizations, including the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Gemological Institute of America, and Glendale Federal Bank.

As a senior account executive with a Los Angeles public affairs firm, public/private sector clients she represented included the Southern California Association of Governments, Tenet Healthcare, the American Film Institute, and Pepperdine University.

Lisa’s expertise encompasses many vertical markets – technology, healthcare, education, and hospitality. Her diverse background includes strategic planning; crisis management; press relations; executive communications; marketing communications; collateral materials and publications development; and community outreach campaigns. She has also developed a variety of electronic communications, including website and SEO-optimized content, CD-ROMs, corporate videos, and television and radio advertising.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge; and has been recognized nationally and internationally for her work.


COPY WRITING

John Chadwell

John has more than 30 years experience in marketing, public relations and publishing. He has served on the staffs of marketing and public relations agencies, multinational technology companies and the U.S. government, as well as international newspapers and magazines. John is an award-winning copywriter and journalist, having garnered an ACE Award for feature writing from the International Association of Business Communicators; an Editorial Excellence award from Vance Publishing; and is one of three national finalists for the 2008 NEAL Award from American Business Media.

John has written copy for a wide range of specialties, including communications, state and federal governments, energy, recycling, health care, finance and agriculture. Some of the companies and organizations he has written copy for are: Chevron, Motorola, KB Homes, Mars Inc., Penn State University, Disney-Touchstone, Paramount Studios, Banco Santander Santiago, Fiserv, Morgan Stanley, the City of Ventura, Calif., Johnson & Johnson, Schwarz Pharma, Computer Sciences Corporation, Infonet, and the Office of the President of the United States.

John graduated from the Chapman University, Orange, CA, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. He also attended the University of Southern California for graduate level course work in motion picture and video production.


Alex Kecskes

Alex has more than 20 years advertising and marketing communications experience, serving as writer, copy supervisor and creative director for ad agencies and clients throughout Southern California and Canada. He has developed award-winning communications campaigns for a wide variety of Southern California municipal and county agencies, including Orange County Transit District, Riverside Transit District, the City of Dana Point, and John Wayne Airport.

Alex has created highly effective results-oriented ads, brochures, direct mail, news releases, data/application sheets, radio commercials and videos. He has also created marketing plans and has written articles on the Internet.

Alex graduated from California State University-Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing. His awards include: the Andy, the Belding, One Show, Art Directors Club of New York, Protos, Communication Arts magazine, and the Orange County Ad Club Golden Orange.


Patrick Pawling

Pat is a former correspondent for the New York Times who also wrote for magazines such as Time, Life and Sports Illustrated. He made the switch to copywriting 10 years ago after sensing a need in corporate America and agencies for "words that actually work." He believes effective words are an often-untapped business differentiator.

Pat specializes in long and short copy forms for B2B and B2C organizations in technology (Cisco Systems, Yahoo! and Citrix, for example) financial services (Heartland Payment Systems and Signature Bank of New York), healthcare (Providence Health System and Copenhagen-based Ferring Pharmaceuticals), and law (numerous law firms). He also frequently does work for diverse organizations such as The History Channel, regional/national real estate developers and industrial companies such as the Linde Group.


GRAPHIC DESIGN

Jarod Baker

Jarod brings to clients more than 10 years of graphic design experience. Projects have included annual reports, billboards, brochures, corporate identity packages, direct mail campaigns, invitations, logo design, package design, print advertising, posters, sales and marketing collateral, signage, and web design.

Jarod consistently delivers creative and expressive solutions that set clients apart from their competitors. Vertical markets have included education, fashion, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, technology, transportation, and travel.

A snapshot of clients Jarod has recently worked with:

Exofficio, Fox River Paper Company, Gwinnett County (GA) Transit, Health Education Alliance, Legal Sea Foods, Millman & Robertson, Montebello Bus Lines, Mundo International, South Florida Commuter Services, Southwest Boulder & Stone, and Trendwest Resorts.

Jarod graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from Keene State College in New Hampshire.


Rus Calisch

Rus came to the graphic arts business with a background in publishing and a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from UCLA. He worked for Surfing and Surfer magazines for 15 years, most recently as newsletter production editor at Surfer for six years.

Rus also produces newsletters for the Wayne Gretzky Roller Hockey Centers, Temple Hills Community Association, Laguna Outreach, Personal Touch Cleaning, Great Autos of Yesteryear and the Sierra Club Task Force.


Lisa B. Spinelli

Lisa has more than 20 years of professional graphic design experience. Her expertise includes art direction, marketing, graphic computer production, photography, signage, trade show displays, copywriting, print consulting and brokering.

Lisa has designed award-winning logos, brochures, ads, packaging, displays, and Web sites. She has won numerous awards, including an annual design award from Architectural Digest.

Lisa graduated from the Syracuse School of Art, studying graphics and interior design, and has taught art classes at various educational institutions throughout Southern California. Clients have included the Cities of San Clemente and Newport Beach, Anatec International, NovaStar Mortgage, Western Aircraft Repair, Capistrano Labs, RIFFE International, Filger Manufacturing, San Clemente Real Estate, Chameleon Merchandising & Design, and Mika Electric.


WEB SERVICES

Gail Parker

Gail has a wide range of industry experience designing and producing web sites and software applications. She brings cutting edge technical skills to the task of creating web solutions to a variety of problems from simple, attractive brochure sites to sophisticated data tracking and transaction processing.

With an educational background in anthropology and psychology, Gail is able to translate 'techno-speak' into human terms and relate comfortably to the most computer-phobic client. Gail believes that any computer application should be a fun-to-use tool that feels like an extension of the user's thought.

Gail's effective methodology, honed over a 20+ year programming career, provides results that are always on target, on time and within budget.

5221 Olive Hill Rd.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Phone: 760-639-2900
Fax: 760-639-3800
info@leavcom.com