|
OUR TEAM
I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.
- Woodrow Wilson
Glance at the credentials
of any one specialist within The Rodgers Group and you're likely
to find a broad spectrum of professional experience. With the
flexibility to bring together the most appropriate team for any
given project, we offer a versatile scope of talent and skills
to meet the objectives of any communication program.
Practical experience has taught us that before we can provide
effective communication solutions, we need to understand the
day-to-day challenges from our client's perspective. What distinctly
separates us in providing value through our services is not only
our ability to wear many strategic and creative hats, but our
willingness to walk in our clients' shoes.
Vicci Rodgers, founder and president
After establishing her firm
in 1987, Vicci served as onsite communication counsel for companies
such as Borg-Warner, General Dynamics, Hobart Corporation, Asea
Brown Boveri and Whirlpool. Since then, Vicci has grown her company
to provide clients with communication strategy, tactical support,
research and evaluation services. Vicci leads all research projects
for the firm. She has put together a senior-level team of communication
professionals with broad industry experience to meet the needs
of a diverse client base. Vicci started her communication career
as a journalist in the Washington, D.C., area before moving to
the corporate sector. She worked for the Mead Corporation before
joining Borg-Warner's chemicals and plastics group. She moved
on to Borg-Warner's corporate headquarters in Chicago, where
she was responsible for coordination and development of communication
processes at all seven of Borg-Warner's subsidiaries. Vicci is
a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism
and a member of the International Association of Business Communicators
(IABC), for which she has held local, regional and international
leadership positions including as a member of the board and chairman
of the research foundation. Vicci also received IABC's coveted
Chairman's Award in 1998. Awards recognizing Vicci's work and
the accomplishments of her firm can be found in the File Room
of our web site. |
 |
Mike Pfeifer, art director/webmaster
In addition to providing overall design direction, Mike serves as The Rodgers Group's expert in the electronic world. His unique ability to combine creative skills and technical expertise allows him to provide clients with complete web services from design to hosting to eCommerce. Mike has worked on projects for clients such as Xerox, Easter Seals, The American Medical Association and Kraft Foods. His corroboration with Amdur Productions, Chicagoland’s largest art festival producer, showcases Mike’s work all over the art scene each summer festival season. Mike has an extensive background in publication work as well, having served as art director for Connelly Design, production artist coordinator for JSR Advertising and a member of IBM's corporate design team in Detroit. Mike holds a journalism degree from Michigan State University.
More
on Mike ... |
 |
Tom Wolferman, senior writer and creative counsel
Through the years, Tom's
versatile and lively writing style has been applied to creative
concepts and marketing campaigns for clients ranging from Northwestern
University to Baxter Healthcare. Tom has collaborated with The
Rodgers Group on communication programs for Sears and scripted
a feature video that was presented at The Chicago Lighthouse
1999 Gala; he also is the creative writing talent behind The
Rodgers Group's own web site. He coordinated with nationally
acclaimed comedian and management expert Claire Berger on her
recent book, "Funny Works! 52 Ways to Have More Fun at Work."
Tom's background includes a wide range of writing assignments
for businesses, corporations, ad agencies and graphic designers.
While with Eisaman, Johns and Laws Advertising, he managed print
and radio projects that promoted client WGN-TV. Tom's columns,
feature stories and commentaries have appeared in publications
including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Lerner
Newspapers. More
on Tom ... |
 |
|
Bill Petersen, designer/illustrator
During a career that has
spanned more than 30 years in advertising and publishing, Bill
has worked with many of Chicago's top agencies and has illustrated
numerous children's learning books. With a focus in humorous
illustration, Bill has been called upon to render such recognizable
characters as Tony the Tiger, the Jolly Green Giant, Ronald McDonald
and the Keebler elves. In addition to storyboard development,
he offers conceptual input on projects ranging from brochures
and posters to point-of-purchase and packaging needs.
Bill's work with The Rodgers
Group has included illustrations and a CD-ROM for communication
materials introducing Material Sciences Corporation's economic
value added (eva) program to managers and employees. He has been
responsible for creative development of several key cartoon "spokescharacters"
for Sears Tire Group, including Axel Lugnutz and Captain DieHard.
Bill also has created illustrations, cartoons and caricatures
featured throughout the RGL virtual communication office. Bill
received his bachelor's degree in fine art from Cornell College.
More
on Bill ...
|
 |
Bill Cunnea, strategic communication counselor
In the course of what has
to be described as an eclectic career, Bill has taught communication
and photojournalism in the University College curriculum at Loyola
University of Chicago; improvisational theater at various venues
throughout the Midwest, served a two-year stint as an "ad
hoc" director of community affairs and communication in
a steel mill and oil pipe company in Texas, was manager of communication
at an insurance company in Evanston, IL, for 10 years, and had
his work in international communications featured as a case study
for the Harvard University Graduate School of Management while
working for an agricultural chemical manufacturing subsidiary
of Northwest Industries, Inc. He created and developed the concept
of "business theater," using his improvisational training
and business background, founding Urban Folk Art business theater
which worked with corporations training their HR staff members
on various compensation and benefit plan issues. Bill was president
of the Chicago IABC chapter and served as district vice president
of IABC, representing the eight-state mid-western area. |
 |
Barbara
Puffer, public
relations/development consultant
Recipient of more than 100
awards for her work in publications, communication programs,
media relations, audio/video, community relations and non-profit
leadership, Barbara brings marketing, public relations and not-for-profit
development expertise to The Rodgers Group. Her corporate communications
work spans several large, well-known companies including Union
Trust (now First Union), Phoenix Home Life Insurance Co., SNET
and the international manufacturer Barnes Group Inc. Barbara
has brought years of not-for-profit leadership experience to
bear on strategic development plan and case writing for significant
multi-million-dollar fundraising efforts. Her work for the not-for-profit
world has primarily been with organizations that
aid children, people with disabilities and women. Barbara serves
in a lead position for media and public relations assignments
and is a member of The Rodgers Group's research team. Barbara
is a member of IABC for which she has held local, regional and
international leadership positions. She is a past chairman of
IABC's Research Foundation and was named a Lifetime Friend of
the Foundation in 2000. |
 |
Amy Salmon, senior communications consultant
Amy is a senior consultant in communication and training with specialized expertise in analyzing accessibility issues. Her extensive experience includes providing access technology training and services for people who are blind and visually impaired. She also has provided consulting services regarding accessibility to web sites – and mainstream products – to corporations, non-profit organizations and state and federal government agencies. Amy has developed and implemented customized training programs for various access technology including mainstream computer programs and access computer software. Previously, she managed the computer training department for the Guild for the Blind and served as director of communications at The Chicago Lighthouse. Amy also has lead the development of communication tools, training materials and public relations programs for accounts such as the Alzheimer’s Association and IBM. She received her master’s degree in rehabilitation teaching for the blind from Northern Illinois University and holds a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication/journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. |
 |
|
773-282-0571