Through the Noise

Emilio Alonso-Mendoza has served as AG Bell's chief executive officer since 2014. He brings with him an extensive history in the nonprofit sector, assisting organizations such as the Catholic Community Foundation and Children's Home Society of Florida raise their national profiles Lori Bobsin is the Coordinator of the Aural Habilitation Program for University of Virginia Cochlear Implant Program in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is also the AG Bell Virginia Chapter President. Lori has over seventeen years of experience in providing listening and spoken language therapy, as well as consultation and training to individuals, schools, and to families. The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) educates parents about this communication option for their children who are deaf or hard of hearing and serves as a resource for those who choose the listening and spoken language (LSL) methodology. AG Bell facilitates the connection between families of children with hearing loss and qualified professionals who assist the children in mastering spoken language.

Thomas J. (Tom) Snee is the Twelfth National Executive Director for the Fleet Reserve Association, headquartered in Alexandria, VA. In his scope of many responsibilities, he serves over 50,000 Sea Service and family members on various boards and committees for military and Veterans benefits. He is the managing officer of the National Headquarters Staff, National Board of Directors, and Co-Chairs the Military Coalition representing over 33 veteran organizations/associations, of 3.5M Active Duty, Reserve, Veterans and Retirees. The Fleet Reserve Association is a congressionally chartered, non-profit membership-based organization that represents the interests of the Sea Service community before the U.S. Congress. The FRA was founded by Navy Chief Yeoman George L. Carlin and was chartered November 11, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Mandigo is the current US Advanced Ceramics Association (USACA) Executive Director. He is also the President of Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI), which is the executive agent for USACA and also represents over 100 clients with interests in advanced materials and science and technology. Mr. Mandigo has 23 years experience working in Washington, DC on advanced materials and technology issues with federal agencies, Congress, and companies, universities and associations. USACA was established in 1985, and is the principal trade association representing the business interests of advanced ceramics producers and end-users.

Gordon Lambourne serves as Vice President of Communications at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, leading the NRAEF's overall communications strategy, including media relations, campaign development, social media and digital storytelling and content creation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lambourne served as Senior Vice President of Global Public Relations for Marriott International, Inc., the world's largest hotel company, where he held leadership positions in all aspects of communications, including brand and consumer PR, corporate communications, social and digital PR, campaign and event strategy, multicultural PR and issues management. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today's and tomorrow's restaurant and food service workforce. To learn more, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.

Dani Mackey Communications is an independent woman-owned public relations consultancy based in Washington, DC and Reston, VA. Dani and her team serve associations, nonprofits and for profits, helping them communicate what matters most about their organizations and businesses to a variety of audiences, including consumers, policymakers, members and other stakeholders. Dani is a native Washingtonian who lives in Reston, Virginia, with her husband and son. She supports the DC Divas women's tackle football team and Calvary Women's Services in the District.

Chuck Johnson is the President of the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), serving as strategic adviser to the association's members, and advancing the safety products industry's interests in Washington DC and abroad. Chuck has over 18 years of association leadership experience, and holds a B.A. from the University of Mississippi and an M.A. in international environmental policy from The American University. ISEA is the leading association for safety products and technologies that enable people to work in hazardous environments, and an ANSI accredited standards developing organization.

Donna Grande, MGA, is the Executive Director of the American College of Preventive Medicine, continuing her passion for advancing prevention and population health throughout health care. Ms. Grande has over 25 years experience managing high-impact disease prevention and health promotion initiatives to achieve measurable outcomes, and a proven track record impacting health leadership with the American Nurses Association and Healthcare Businesswomen's Association. The American College of Preventive Medicine is a medical society advancing the practice of preventive medicine in public health and health systems, and advocating for health policies that work to prevent disease, promote health, and avert health crises.

Whitney Pennington is a public health professional currently serving as the Manager of Communications and Public Education for the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Whitney is passionate about injury prevention, health literacy, and plain language communication. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) is a 501c3 non-profit trade organization that represents the 55 US poison control centers.

Christiane Maertens (Kris-tee-on-ah Mair-tens), as the Deputy Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), built a professional team that facilitates the largest and most diverse environmental education network in the world. In 2017, she was named a National Geographic Explorer for hosting the forthcoming Imagine If, a podcast that explores climate change resilience with her trademark moxie and optimism. For four decades, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has been accelerating environmental literacy and civic engagement through the power of education and networking, supporting over 20,000 educators and 56 regional affiliate organizations working in environmental education in more than 30 countries.

Caitlin Couture, CAE is the Director of Governance and Engagement at the Society of Interventional Radiology and has ten years of association management experience. In her role at SIR, Caitlin in responsible for ensuring consistency across 64 committees, task forces and manages five sections. She works to ensure members positively engage with SIR throughout their career through traditional committee engagement and ad hoc volunteer opportunities. The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) is a nonprofit, professional medical society representing more than 8,000 practicing interventional radiology physicians, scientists and clinical associates. SIR's members work in a variety of settings and at different professional levels—from medical students and residents to university faculty and private practice physicians. The society's mission is to work with our members to improve patient-centered care through image-guided therapy.

Steve Schwab serves as Executive Director of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, leading the Foundation organization, staff and programs. Prior to his service at the Foundation, Steve was head of external affairs for the National Cathedral, and served in three senior leadership roles in Rochester, NY as Vice President for Development at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Deputy Chief of Staff to Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy, and head of corporate development and relations for Rochester Institute of Technology. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation's 5.5 million military caregivers – the spouses, family members, and friends who care for America's wounded, ill, or injured veterans and service members – through a comprehensive advocacy approach, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers' service and promote their well-being.

Andrew Moore is the Executive Director of the National Agricultural Aviation Association and has been since 2002. He served as [N-Triple-A's] NAAA's Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs before that and continues to be NAAA's lobbyist in Washington, D.C., serving as the agricultural aviation industry's liaison to the federal government. Andrew has a background in government relations and agriculture. Founded in 1966, the National Agricultural Aviation Association supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators who use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and biofuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.

As senior vice president of government affairs for the Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA), Jenny Fordham is responsible for legislative and policy advocacy related to the competitive natural gas market. She specializes in creating strategic advocacy partnerships that broaden policymaker support for business-relevant positions. NGSA represents the largest producers and marketers of natural gas in the United States and focuses on promoting a healthy, competitive marketplace for buyers and sellers of natural gas.

Carlos Guevara serves as Senior Policy Advisor for UnidosUS's Policy and Advocacy department. In this role, Carlos is responsible for conducting research, policy analysis, advocacy, and communications activities to advance effective and humane immigration policies. UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization.

Jean Lee is the President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and prior to joining MCCA, Ms. Lee served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JP Morgan Chase & Co. where she worked on consumer litigation and regulatory matters. Before joining JP Morgan Chase & Co. in 2011, Ms. Lee worked on litigation matters at a boutique litigation firm in New York City and started her career as a law clerk to the Honorable John J. Hughes, United States Magistrate Judge (retired), in the District of New Jersey. MCCA is a national organization focused on hiring, promoting and retaining women and diverse attorneys by providing cutting-edge research, best practices, professional development and training, and through pipeline initiatives.

Katie Shepherd is the National Advocacy Counsel for the Immigration Justice Campaign at the American Immigration Council, where she focuses on legal advocacy and policy related to the asylum-seeking women and children detained in family detention centers around the country. Before joining the Council in August 2016, Katie was the Managing Attorney of the CARA Pro Bono Project in Dilley, Texas, where she managed a team of lawyers, advocates, and volunteers which provides legal services to asylum-seeking women and children detained in Dilley, Texas.

Jeffrey Shields, FASAE, CAE, has served as President and CEO of the National Business Officers Association (NBOA) since March 2010. Jeff, an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, is a member of the 2008 Class of ASAE Fellows (FASAE) and earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2002. He currently serves as a trustee for One Schoolhouse, an innovative online school offering supplemental education to independent schools and previously served as a trustee at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC, where his daughter Samantha attends. He holds a BA from Shippensburg University and an MA from The Ohio State University. NBOA is the premier national membership association serving the professional needs of business officers and business operations staff at PK-12 independent schools. The association has grown from 23 founding member schools in 1998 to over 1,350 US member schools, plus member schools in Mexico, Canada and 23 other countries around the globe during its 20-year history under Shields' leadership.

Ryan Conrad is CEO of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR), an organization comprised of approximately 12,000 real estate professionals in the Washington, D.C. metro area. As CEO, Conrad oversees a 34-person staff in two locations, as well as a Realtor® school and store. He serves as publisher of NVAR's bi-monthly RE+VIEW magazine. NVAR promises its members to "Take You Further" by providing a variety of services, including educational opportunities, professional standards enforcement, market statistics, legislative reviews, issues lobbying, multiple listing and lockbox services and more.

Behzad Rassuli is the SVP, Strategic Development, overseeing marketing and communications, membership, communities, market intelligence and data innovation at the Auto Care Association. Prior to joining Auto Care, he served in strategic roles at CARFAX and CEB, where he conducted market research and competitive intelligence to guide corporate strategy. The Auto Care Association represents the entire supply chain of the automotive aftermarket, the size and scope of which covers over 500,000 manufacturers, distributors, retail and repair shops. Our members provide parts and services designed to make vehicles last longer and keep drivers safer.

Darrell K. Smith is President & Chief Executive Officer of the National Waste and Recycling Association. Since 2002, Darrell has been active in the public policy arena in Washington, DC. Previous to his current position in the waste industry, he represented the mining, petroleum and chemical industries. Darrell has a reputation of assisting heavy industry in the promotion of a positive, progressive image. Prior to his public policy career, Darrell worked in the environmental and safety compliance fields for a number of industries including hazardous waste, telecommunications and electronics. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. Darrell resides in Washington, DC. The National Waste & Recycling Association is the trade association representing private-sector U.S. waste and recycling companies, as well as the manufacturers and service providers.

As Director of Client Success at Gravitate Solutions, Rebecca draws upon her decade of experience as a business analyst and project manager to create smooth implementation experiences for clients. As clients journey into data analysis and reporting, Rebecca takes pride in guiding them toward tools and strategies that cultivate data-driven decision making. Gravitate Solutions is the creator of Nucleus, the first data analytics platform built specifically for associations and nonprofits. As of the publication of this recording, Nucleus is GDPR compliant

Dr. Barbara P. "Barb" Glenn is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Barb is a scientist with decades of experience as a policy researcher and advocate for agriculture. NASDA represents the Commissioners, Secretaries, and Directors of the state departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories.

Raz is a business, technology, and information governance attorney. His practice focuses on privacy and data security, information technology transactions and licensing, and data management. WTP is a full-service law firm with clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, including domestic and international nonprofit organizations and associations.

Gary Shapiro is the president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association. He also an author CTA's New York Times bestsellers "Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World's Most Successful Businesses" (Harper Collins, 2013) and "The Comeback: How Innovation will Restore the American Dream" (Beaufort, 2011). He is a frequent guest MSNBC, FOXNEWS, CNN, and with many editorials in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post. The Consumer Technology Association is a trade association for over 2,200 companies within the consumer technology industry. They produce CES (Consumer Electronics Show) with more than 3,200 exhibitors, including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more; a conference program with more than 300 sessions; and more than 150,000 attendees from more than 150 countries.

Julie Riggs serves as the Maryland Program Manager for Serving Together. She has over 20 years in the nonprofit sector; spending the past 10 years working for the military and veteran-focused nonprofits in both San Diego and the National Capital Region. ServingTogether, a program of EveryMind is dedicated to creating a more coordinated system of care and easier access to services for military, veterans and their families.

Michael France is the Managing Director of Safety & Training for the National Air Transportation Association, overseeing the Association's Safety 1st program. Michael has extensive experience throughout the general aviation ground handling industry in safety, training and fuel quality management and is a frequent instructor of many of NATA's in-person training events. The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for over 75 years. Representing nearly 2,300 aviation businesses, NATA's member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.

We haven't delved much into the world of the arts and the nonprofits that support them but we're thrilled to branch out with our guest from the Houston Arts Alliance. John Abodeely is the CEO of the Houston Arts Alliance and we're also joined by Ed Spitzberg, the Principal of Spitzberg Advisors who has provided strategic planning and other services to bolster the staff of small arts organizations. As a former nonprofit executive, Ed Spitzberg understands what nonprofits need -- and don't. While it may not always be possible to hire a full-time staff member to solve a problem, many consultants bring a wealth of nonprofit experience and can help address your problems on a project basis. Join us for this look into a local arts organization and how they make it work.

Water is everywhere -- until it's not. On the East Coast, we tend to take water for granted, we rarely have droughts and clean, safe, water is seemingly always available with a flick of the wrist. Water conservation is a critical issue today for billions of people around the world and we've invited Ian Lyle, the Executive Vice President of the National Water Resources Association to the show to give us some perspective. Think about dinner last night? Did you have wine? Beer? A single glass of wine requires 28 glasses of water to produce! Like this show? Leave us a review on iTunes!

As we get closer to tax season and people begin fretting about their deductions and refunds, we thought we'd speak to someone in the world of finance who is making a big difference for financial professionals and their clients. James Kaitz is the President and CEO of the Association For Financial Professionals and under his leadership, the organization has pursued a standardization of the profession by creating an offer an exam to measure knowledge and competency. The AFP represents 15,000 individuals globally and holds regular conferences. If your organization's financial professionals are looking for a community or a credential, the AFP is the place to start.

We constantly talk to representatives from major national and international organizations and today we're thrilled to speak with two people who put their energies towards organizing for their profession on a local level, through chapters. Brent Hayhurst and Stephenie Sikorski join us from the DC Chapter of the American Marketing Association where he is the current and outgoing president and she is the incoming president of a very active and all-volunteer board. They engage with professionals around the DC area and provide mentoring, networking, and educational opportunities for members across all levels of the profession. Don't miss this episode to learn how the marketers market to other marketers.

David LaBahn is today's guest on Through the Noise and he is the President and CEO of The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Like many of the listeners of the show, his membership is comprised of mission-driven individuals using their talents to create a better world. There are 3,000 prosecuting attorneys around the United States that participate in the vast and varied criminal justice system. Their membership can be appointed or elected and they operate in systems that are based entirely on discretion. Check out this episode to find out how they communicate with their diverse membership and employ their talented members in their lobbying efforts. Have a second? Review us on iTunes!

Getting your message to the right people is a concern of all communications staff and we're pleased to welcome Andrew Sousa of Steadfast Communications to Through the Noise to talk about just how to do that. Working in public relationships for nearly 20 years, Andrew Sousa has honed his ability to focus on the details that need to be told to tell the right story. Your organization could be doing incredible, life-changing -- and life-saving -- work but if you don't have a way to convey that to the people who need to know about your services, what's the point? Don't miss this episode and the chance to refine your communications strategy so you're talking to the right people, about the right message, through the proper channels to reach them.

Ever wonder what happens to your old phone when you upgrade? What happens to all the components? What about your car or refrigerator? In most of the U.S. we have curbside recycling but beyond household waste, there's a tremendous number of products that can and must be recycled to save water, energy, and money and the members of The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries are making sure that our innovations in recycling keep up with our innovations in products. We sit down with Billy H. Johnson, the Chief Lobbyist of ISRI to chat numbers, saving energy, and the complicated computers in our pockets.

The TRSA supports an industry that people only notice when something isn't working. Unlike event planners, the members of the TRSA touch each of our lives each day. TRSA is the association for linen, uniform and facility services and they run the industrial cleaning services that keep our hospitals, firefighters, and other critical workers in clean uniforms. They are a massive industry with 30,000 delivery trucks on the road each day, delivering uniforms, linens, and other goods to keep things running smoothly. They work towards sustainability by creating processes that greatly reduce water and toxic materials. Don't miss this episode to find out how they're engaging their diverse membership online, in print, in person, and in advocacy.

Richard Tracy of the Global Cold Chain Alliance returns to the show to talk about his industry's multi-faceted approach to eliminating food waste. As he's said before on the show, they are part of the "industry that is feeding the world." The Alliance is comprised of four different associations involved in refrigeration, shipping, and transport of the food that makes it to your plate. They are deeply invested in supporting functional transportation systems around the world which enable farmers to safely and effectively move their goods to your home. With sustainable transportation and the right equipment, farmers are able to make a better living by getting more goods to the markets before they spoil.

Getting heard "through the noise" is why we're all here and today's guest, Corey Petree has spent his career helping organizations and businesses amplify their stories and get them heard by the right person. Corey Petree is a returning guest on Through the Noise and he is the Founder of Story Store Media, a video production firm that also produces work for live audiences. What message will connect you to your next high-level donor? What tactic will resonate with your community? Are you wasting time, money, or effort with ineffective planning? Join us for this episode for ideas on taking your organization's promotions and communications to the next level.

Jim Kremidas, Executive Director of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals represents 13,000 researchers around the world who perform the clinical trials that keep us healthy and safe. Their members live in more than 70 countries and work in academia, hospitals, for corporations and in other settings. As Jim Kremidas says "Variance is the enemy of quality" and the ACRP is working to make the profession operate more smoothly with predictable and measurable standards.

Regular listeners of this podcast will know that we are huge advocates of podcasts for nonprofits. They're a fantastic way to reach your audience and 25% of Americans regularly listen to podcasts. So we've invited Dr. Lisa Greenhill to Through the Noise to talk about the podcast she got off the ground for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. Dr. Greenhill is an educator and skilled podcaster who brings the issue of diversity to the table on AAVMC's podcast "Diversity and Inclusion on Air." She is also the Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity for AAVMC. The organization is growing in their approach and are broadening their base by embracing new technologies. Don't miss this episode to learn more about incorporating podcasts into your communications program.

Joel Newman and Victoria Broehm of the American Feed Industry Association join us on Through the Noise to talk advocacy, membership and communicating with a diverse industry. Joel Newman is the President & CEO and Victoria Broehm runs their communications wing as the Director of Communications and ensures that they have messaging that resonates across their broad base and keeps their 670 members engaged in their mission. The feed industry keeps the animals safe that eventually end up on dinner tables across the world -- affecting the lives of nearly everyone. There are over 900 potential ingredients to be found in the feed that sustains the livestock -- and pets -- around the United States. Curious what your pup is really eating? The AFIA is helping keep them safe.

Many individuals use the new year as an opportunity to get fit -- and similarly, it's a great opportunity for your organization to get its advocacy program in shape. We've invited two experts to the show today to help you with that -- David Lusk, Founder of Key Advocacy and Brad Fitch, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. David Lusk is a returning guest who Ernesto called an "Advocacy Personal Trainer" and they are both committed to creating better advocates -- whether as individual citizens or as an organization. Over 50,000 people have taken the citizen advocate training offered by the Congressional Management Foundation and on this episode, you'll hear some myths busted about lobbying Congress. Think your voice doesn't count or your organization is too small or lacking the budget to hire a high-powered lobbyist? You need to tune in today to learn how you can direct the resources you have in the proper direction to getting what you and the members of your organization want.

In order to reach and move potential supporters, nonprofits need to be able to tell their story and describe why their mission matters. We've invited journalist and storyteller Simon Owens back to Through the Noise to chat about the transitions and growth within new media. Do organizations have the capacity to be heard? Is it worth it to pay for advertising on social media? How much does it take to be heard? Simon Owens primarily writes about media, marketing, and tech. Join us for a conversation about transitions in tech, getting and retaining subscribers, and the value of connecting with people through the intimate medium of podcasts. If you're a listener of Through the Noise, we'd definitely appreciate if you took a few minutes to let us know with a review on iTunes or your favorite podcast listening service. Have ideas to help us improve? We're into constructive criticism too.

Still using an excel spreadsheet to store your organization's donors? On the fence about your AMS? Join us on Through the Noise for a conversation with Patrick Dorsey of Impexium, an association management software. Patrick Dorsey is the Executive Vice President for Marketing at Impexium and he recognizes the challenges of operating a nonprofit in a world when people have become accustomed to the instant gratification of Netflix and Amazon. People aren't just working 9-5 anymore and the AMS community has to step up and address the disparity. If you like this topic, don't miss last week's episode with Teri Carden of ReviewMyAMS.

Association Management Software is critical for every nonprofit that intends to grow and be successful, yet there are many organizations that still juggle their information on Excel spreadsheets. If you use or manage an AMS, this episode with Teri Carden, the Founder of ReviewMyAMS, a business which provides real reviews of the software by users, is essential. Teri Carden has a background as an association executive and saw the problems on the ground facing the associations she worked with and decided to do something about it and ReviewMyAMS is the result. Want tips on how to find an AMS that will work for your specific situation? Want to know the right questions to ask so you don't pay thousands of dollars for something that won't work for you -- and hasn't worked for others? Don't miss this episode and if you find it helpful -- give us a review on iTunes!

Over 13 million people are served by the work of today's guest, Martha Parham. 13 million students attend the nearly 1,200 community colleges around the United States (and world) that are part of the American Association of Community Colleges -- and their positive impact is felt by the families and communities that are improved by the education these students receive. As Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Martha Parham helps communicate the tremendous benefits available to those considering an associate's degree. An increase in apprenticeship and workforce training programs is making community colleges more popular and successful than ever and the skills from a two-year degree can help set these students up for life.

Want to know about SARS? How about Zika? Maybe you're not thinking about those particular infectious diseases at the moment but the people of the public health laboratories around the United States are constantly working to keep you and you and you safe from them. And the people working diligently on these and other emerging infections are represented by the Association of Public Health Laboratories. We've invited Scott Becker, their Executive Director to the show to chat about their work and how they communicate what they do. Their members are on the front lines dealing with infections that we know and those that we don't. They've recently launched a podcast cleverly called "Lab Culture" and are experimenting with ways to communicate with the public and their members -- join us for this conversation. Know someone who should be on the show? Get in touch to recommend them and if you like the show, leave us a review on iTunes!

Dave McCurdy has a fascinating background. He represented his home state of Oklahoma in the House of Representatives from 1981-1995 -- a time when Congress operated very differently than it does today -- and held several critical leadership positions. After his tenure in Congress, he was the chief executive for a couple of other associations before accepting the role he has today -- President and CEO of the American Gas Association. The AGA has been around for nearly a century and will be celebrating the 100-year mark in 2018. They represent over 200 energy companies that deliver natural gas throughout the United States. They host a number of smaller meetings and conferences each year and are governed by a board of 46 CEOs from companies around the country. Half of their staff of 85 has been at the AGA for more than 20 years. Check out this episode for insights on the natural gas industry and working in a field that is often the center of controversy.

Do you know which fonts you should never use when making a professional presentation? Find out during our conversation with writer and educator Jonathan Rick. He joins us on the show after an enthusiastic recommendation from a previous guest -- journalist Simon Owen. He's the president of The Jonathan Rick Group, a digital marketing agency offering ghostwriting services that create thought leadership. With a background in journalism, Jonathan Rick also teaches business writing workshops and university classes. When you or your organization are ready to clarify your message, check out his website! If, like Simon Owen, you have a friend, colleague, mentor, or inspiration who is making waves in the world of communication and you'd like to hear them on the show, get in touch.

For 30 years Community Lodgings in Alexandria, VA has been helping local families out of homelessness by providing a variety of critical and stabilizing services. The Washington, DC area is extremely expensive and they help their clients into affordable temporary and permanent housing. Beyond housing, they also help with financial and other educational opportunities for the adults and children of their client families. We speak with their Executive Director, Lynn Thomas and their communications consultant, Jane Collins. Collins was previously a member of the Community Lodgings staff. They are hosting their 30-year anniversary gala on February 17, 2018, and if you're in the DC area, you should consider attending and contributing to their work.

The numbers are going up all the time and right now one in four Americans listen to podcasts. Even if you're one of the other three, it's time you start thinking about how podcasts can help you communicate with your current and potential members. Today's guest is Steven Valley, the CIO of the United Motorcoach Association, and they've recently launched a podcast to reach their diverse membership. Join us as we talk about the lessons they've learned along the way so you'll have an idea what mistakes to avoid and which strategies might be worth adopting. Like our show? Rate us on iTunes and get in touch if you have an organization you'd like to hear from or represent, we're always booking!

Healthcare and healthcare access are a constant debate in the United States and we've invited Mary Ellen Kleiman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to chat with us about the role pharmacies play in healthcare. Representing the legal affairs department of NACDS, Mary Ellen Kleiman manages a different role than many of our guests who are often executive directors or communication directors of a trade association. Today's guest emphasizes the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system because they are one of the easiest members of the health community to access -- over 90% of Americans live within five minutes of a pharmacist.