WASHINGTON, D.C. – Crosby~Volmer International Communications, a Washington, D.C. based public relations and public affairs firm, today announced a series of promotions including a new partner and two new vice presidents reflective of the firm's continued commitment to build and maintain a strong and dynamic team.
The promotions include Larry McAlister, promoted to Partner; Jennifer Elena and Luke Punzenberger, promoted to Vice President; Ashley Dos Santos and Jason Schneider, promoted to Account Supervisor; Jordan Hassin, Andrea Kurys and Dan Woodley, promoted to Senior Account Executive; and Patrick Moore promoted to Director of Online Media.
"Today's promotions are a combined result of their hard work, the respect they have earned from our clients and their peers, and their significant contribution to our firm," said Rob Volmer, President of Crosby~Volmer.
Employees promoted:
Partner
Larry McAlister joined Crosby~Volmer in January of 2006. In his new role Mr. McAlister will be responsible for day-to-day management of the Oklahoma City office, and actively involved in creative and strategic development, counsel and message development for a wide range of company clients. Most recently Mr. McAlister was President and Editor-in-Chief of Sportspie Publications. Mr. McAlister graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and from The Ohio State University in 1982 with an MA is Athletic Administration.
Vice President
Jennifer Elena joined Crosby~Volmer in February of 2007. In her new role Ms. Elena will be responsible for new business development, strategic counsel and overseeing day-to-day client activity for U.S.-based clients and for Crosby~Volmer: Enfoque Latino, the Hispanic and Latin American affairs division of the firm. Prior to joining Crosby~Volmer, Ms. Elena served as a Corporate Development Executive for a Hispanic social-marketing and media firm dedicated to educating Latinos audiences in the United States. Ms. Elena graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has received her Master of Arts in Language and Literature from Marymount University.
Luke Punzenberger joined Crosby~Volmer in February of 2007. In his new role, Mr. Punzenberger will be responsible for developing outreach strategies targeting the federal government and public policy community. Most recently Mr. Punzenberger was Press Secretary to former Congressman Mark Green of Wisconsin's 8th District – a post he also held during Green's 2006 gubernatorial bid. Mr. Punzenberger graduated from Marquette University with majors in public relations and political science, and is currently pursuing his Master's degree at Johns Hopkins.
Account Supervisor
Jason Schneider joined Crosby~Volmer in August of 2008. In his new role Mr. Schneider will be responsible for media strategy, brand positioning and account operations focusing in the health care and finance industries. Most recently Mr. Schneider was an account executive at The Dalton Agency in Jacksonville, Florida. Previously Mr. Schneider worked as a reporter for the Associated Press. Mr. Schneider graduated from Florida State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Ashley Dos Santos joined Crosby~Volmer in February of 2007. In her new role, Ms. Dos Santos will be responsible for media relations and Hispanic affairs. Most recently Ms. Dos Santos was a Public Affairs Specialist at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Ms. Dos Santos graduated from Dartmouth College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Women & Gender Studies and Romance Languages.
Senior Account Executive
Jordan Hassin joined Crosby~Volmer in June of 2008. In his new role Mr. Hassin will be responsible for implementing government, non-profit and private sector awareness campaigns in addition to directing Crosby~Volmer's Middle East and North African Affairs division. Most recently Mr. Hassin was Deputy Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. Mr. Hassin graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in communications.
Andrea Kurys joined Crosby~Volmer in October of 2007 as an Account Executive in the firm's Oklahoma City office. In her new role as Senior Account Executive, Ms. Kurys will be responsible for generating media outreach strategies and providing public relations support for existing clients, as well as researching, planning and developing comprehensive public relations campaigns. Recently, Ms. Kurys was Chief Oklahoma Bureau Reporter for KTEN News in Denison, Texas. Ms. Kurys graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor's degree in journalism.
Dan Woodley joined Crosby~Volmer in July of 2007. In his new role Mr. Woodley will be responsible for day-to-day client relations in the Washington, D.C. office, and actively involved in government relations, counsel and business development for a wide range of company clients. Most recently, Mr. Woodley served as a legislative aide to Senator Richard Burr (NC). Mr. Woodley graduated from Western Carolina University in 2003 with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration.
Director of Online Media
Patrick Moore joined Crosby~Volmer in February of 2007 as Senior Web Developer. In his new role as Director of Online Media, Mr. Moore will be responsible for all client online outreach including design, web site development and database architecture. Most recently Mr. Moore served as Chief Technology Officer at social networking start-up My Closet My Life. Mr. Moore studied Computer Information Systems at the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.