The Firm
Leadership
Rita Brogan CEO
Since purchasing PRR in 1989, Ms. Brogan has built PRR into one of the largest public affairs consulting firms in the Northwest, known for its ability to change minds and behavior with sound research, strategy and high-impact creative services. Her ability to synthesize complex information into clear decisions in volatile environments and more than 35 years of professional experience has earned her high credibility among community leaders. Before PRR, Ms. Brogan was Superintendent of Public Transportation Development at Seattle Metro and served as chief land use advisor to King County Executive Randy Revelle. Her long history of public service spans human services, environment, transportation, civil rights, research and education. Ms. Brogan frequently speaks to local and national audiences and has authored numerous articles related to transportation, communications and the environment. Her monthly blog for the University of Washington's (UW) Foster School of Business promotes minority business access to the emerging green economy. Ms. Brogan serves on the boards of the World Affairs Council, Northwest Learning and Achievement Group and the Downtown Seattle Association. She also serves on advisory committees for the UW Graduate School and the Municipal League of King County, and hosts a public affairs television program on King County TV (KCTV). Ms. Brogan holds a Master of Arts degree in communication theory and methodology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in editorial journalism, both from the UW.
Michael Richards Principal
Mr. Richards is an expert at developing strategies for complex communications projects. With 29 years in communications and related fields, his talents are in managing large-scale projects that involve challenging technical and policy initiatives. Mr. Richards is particularly adept in applying research methodologies to identify market strategies and communication messages. His work spans all communications fields, including marketing, public relations, public-private partnerships, branding, research, community relations and public policy. He has worked extensively on transportation and transportation technology projects across the country, and has marketed start-ups, sustainability and car-sharing initiatives, professional services, policy programs and international trade. Mr. Richards lectures on marketing and communications to local and national groups, and is a board member of the Pike Place Market Foundation. He holds a Master's degree in public policy and administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Earlham College.
Mike Rosen Managing Principal
Mr. Rosen serves as Managing Principal for PRR. Nationally recognized as a visionary communications innovator and strategist, he is a leader in creating communication solutions driven by business acumen. With 39 years in the industry, Mr. Rosen has helped clients create and execute scores of national, regional and local initiatives across communication disciplines and sectors. He pioneered many of the approaches currently used in market transformation, social marketing and behavior modification programs that have helped change the way we view and interact with our world. Mr. Rosen has helped to initiate many innovative public-private partnerships. His portfolio includes work for clients such as Nike, Starbucks, Philips Sonicare, Coinstar, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Known for his unwavering commitment to results and fierce loyalty to clients, Mr. Rosen is exceptional at leveraging client funds. As an accomplished television producer, he has been recognized with some of the industry's most prestigious national and international awards, including the Peabody, New York International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Emmy and IRIS awards.
Bruce Brown Research Director
Mr. Brown has 31 years of experience as a research and evaluation methodologist. His broad expertise includes conducting focus groups, random sample mail and telephone surveys, Internet surveys, intercept interviews, executive interviews, ethnography, usability testing and other techniques employed to assess respondent knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. His work has involved both quantitative and qualitative designs, including longitudinal analysis of national mass media advertising, impact analysis of social marketing campaigns and various environmental, transportation, economic development and health care related projects. Mr. Brown taught research methods and statistical analysis for 11 years as an Associate Professor and previously worked as an evaluation coordinator for Public Health - Seattle & King County. He has been recognized with national and regional awards for excellence in research by the Public Relations Society of America. In addition, his work has been presented at numerous conferences nationwide and published in scientific journals and books. Mr. Brown holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of New Hampshire and is certified in market research, social psychology, mediation and management analysis. He also earned an expert-level Professional Researcher Certification from the Marketing Research Association.
Keri Shoemaker Capitol Region Office Director
Ms. Shoemaker manages PRR's Capitol Region practice in support of programs improving the environment, transportation and public health. With more than 13 years of experience in the communications industry, she excels at strategic planning, public outreach, stakeholder cultivation, message development, media relations and partnership building. Ms. Shoemaker directs market research, public affairs, public involvement, design, advertising, media relations and marketing services for PRR's Mid-Atlantic Region clients. Currently she is leading the national branding and communications efforts for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR program, where she is building consumer education campaigns. Ms. Shoemaker has worked with dozens of local governments throughout the Greater Washington region including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Prince George's County, Baltimore Metropolitan Council and City of Manassas Park to improve and protect the communities they serve by developing and implementing public outreach and education campaigns on energy efficiency, air quality, commercial recycling, transit-oriented development and highway safety. In 2007 and 2008 she was honored by the Puget Sound Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for her work on the Clean Air Partners program. Ms. Shoemaker is a member of PRSA, DC Sustainable Business Network and the Women's Council on Energy and the Environment in Washington, D.C. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications broadcasting from Washington State University.
Denise Walz Marketing and Public Relations Director
After spending six years in Washington, D.C. building and growing PRR's Capitol Region practice, Ms. Walz returned to Seattle in 2007 to lead PRR's marketing and public relations groups. With 24 years in the industry, she has proven experience in designing creative, results-driven marketing and media relations programs. Her work spans a variety of channels. She has developed and implemented marketing and public relations strategies on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR, Plug-In To eCycling, and SunWise programs. Ms. Walz also led health and safety education initiatives for H1N1, nutrition labeling and breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings. She is currently working with the Washington State Department of Transportation on their marketing and retail strategy for all electronic tolling. She is an expert at building strategic alliances, partnerships and sponsorships that provide value and visibility for all who participate. Ms. Walz has crafted promotional sponsorships and marketing programs with corporations such as: The Walt Disney Company, AOL, Gannett, Comedy Central, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Coca-Cola, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and Tully's Coffee. She got her start in the radio industry and enjoys staying closely involved in the negotiation and production of broadcast media.
Sean Baze Public Relations Group Account Director
A veteran media relations professional, Mr. Baze has more than 16 years experience in public relations and marketing. He has managed broadcast and print media campaigns for public agencies and private clients—from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Baze has led numerous national media and analyst campaigns, guided clients through the IPO process, conducted brand and reputation management campaigns, and conducted a variety of media training programs. He has extensive expertise providing strategic counsel, creating value-based messaging and positioning, and executing tactical programs that deliver results. Mr. Baze is adept at immersing himself in the client's business to gain an understanding of their goals and objectives. These skills—combined with his awareness of the media's needs and the motivation driving them to make any story news-worthy and relevant—provide him with the insight needed to position stories to best serve the reporter and achieve targeted results. At PRR, Mr. Baze oversees the public relations team on projects for Community Health Network of Washington, the Early Childhood Oral Health Program (a partnership between the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital) the Washington Department of Transportation SR 520 Tolling project, Commute Seattle, King County, City of Seattle and private sector clients. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at Western Washington University.
Colleen Gants Public Involvement Director
Ms. Gants is a communications professional with 23 years of community relations, marketing and public affairs experience—16 of those in the transportation industry. She manages communications strategies and public outreach for the Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) I-405 Congestion Relief and Bus Rapid Transit projects, incorporating nine highway improvement projects along a 30-mile corridor connecting 15 cities. Communications for each I-405 project involves supporting the NEPA/SEPA environmental assessment process; coordinating executive, steering and citizen advisory committees; engaging neighborhood and community participation; environmental justice outreach; corridor-wide context sensitive solutions (CSS); transportation demand management (TDM) planning; media relations; legislative affairs; facilitation; event management; and close coordination with other infrastructure improvement projects in the Puget Sound region. WSDOT is constructing the I-405 projects using the design-build (D-B) contracting approach, and Ms. Gants is integrated into WSDOT's construction communications team to manage the contractor's outreach. Her previous work ranges from Admissions and Marketing Director for a private girls high school to Marketing Manager for a 400-person engineering and environmental services firm. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English composition from the University of Washington.
Jamie Strausz-Clark Public Affairs and Policy Director
Ms. Strausz-Clark serves as the bridge between government and citizens, policy analysts and the public, and subject-matter experts and the community. She has over 15 years of experience in public affairs and outreach, environmental justice and transportation demand management (TDM). At PRR, Ms. Strausz-Clark oversees projects for the Washington State Department of Transportation, King County Metro Transit, Sound Transit, Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle Department of Transportation and Commute Seattle. Recent projects include leading a visioning process for a public housing redevelopment project, conducting an environmental justice analysis of tolling on the SR 520 Bridge and facilitating roundtable discussions about the regional transportation plan with environmental justice leaders in four counties. Prior to joining PRR, she was public information officer for the City of Redmond, handling press relations and providing strategic communications guidance. Ms. Strausz-Clark also supported and facilitated the public involvement process for Redmond's Transportation Master Plan and developed residential and small business TDM programs. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego. Ms. Strausz-Clark is a member of the Association for Commuter Transportation and Women's Transportation Seminar, and serves on the board of the Joseph Pedott Endowment.
Rick Griggs Controller
Mr. Griggs oversees all accounting and finance functions for the office, including supervision of the accounting department, financial and managerial reporting (both internal and external), banking and reporting compliance with governmental agencies. He also devotes time to client services, assisting clients with questions about their accounts and specific billing statements. Mr. Griggs graduated from Walla Walla College's school of business earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. He has worked in the property management, professional services and fishing industries.
Malika Klingler Human Resources Director
Ms. Klingler is responsible for handling all aspects of human resources at PRR. With over 11 years of broad human resources experience, her background includes a strong focus in performance management, coaching, development and benefits administration. As a results-oriented human resources professional, Ms. Klingler has demonstrated success in helping to build organizations by reducing turnover and raising engagement levels through employee-friendly programs. She volunteers at Sacred Heart Shelter, assisting residents with resume building and interviewing skills. Ms. Klingler is a member of the Seattle chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management.
Alex Sobie Design Director
Mr. Sobie is an innovative graphic designer and inspirational design team leader, with over 15 years of experience in print and online design. He has developed creative solutions to the communications challenges facing PRR's clients for the past nine years. His knowledge covers all relevant areas of design, including branding and identity development, marketing communications, advertising, exhibit design, illustration, website design and user interface, and all manner of public outreach materials such as newsletters, postcards, boards, maps and folios. Mr. Sobie's personal approach to design is to convey key messaging in a clean and elegant manner, without excess noise or ego. Clients praise his easy work style, can-do attitude and collaborative ethic. He has created designs for numerous successful public and private sector projects, and his work has been featured in award-winning and high-profile programs such as Northwest Natural Yard Days, the I-405 Congestion Relief and Bus Rapid Transit projects and King County Elections. A lifelong student of design, he is a graduate of the University of Oregon, holding Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and French.
John Voldal Business Development Manager
Mr. Voldal has adapted the skills he honed serving a variety of public and private sector clients to managing PRR's day-to-day business development endeavors. His past experience includes work on environmental issues for clients such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and King County's Department of Natural Resources, to supporting women's reproductive health issues for the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health, Plan B and Danco Laboratories. He is well versed in all aspects of business development, utilizing his graphic design talent to craft compelling proposals and his database development skills to manage PRR's extensive set of professional qualifications. Mr. Voldal is a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services.