Our Team
For some reason, size seems to matter to prospective clients and employees. We’re often asked how big is Risdall McKinney Public Relations. The answer is simple – we’re exactly as big as you need us to be. Now if that sounds cryptic, it can easily be explained.
The Risdall McKinney Public Relations team includes a wide range of PR practitioners as well as marketing and creative experts with public relations experience and perspective. Should a client’s need require other skill sets, there are another 40 or so folks at Risdall Marketing Group ready to share expertise.
Meet the Crew at Risdall McKinney Public Relations
Amanda Draxton
In the unknown world of PR, many things can happen to affect a strategy or tactic. Amanda is a pro at going with the flow. Whether it’s living in a small village in Tanzania, Africa without running water or electricity, or dealing with last-minute arrangements for media kits, Amanda’s care-free and professional attitude makes her an exceptional asset to any crisis communication team. (Read Amanda’s bio)
Andrea Goodall
Andrea has a knack for telling clients’ stories with a fresh angle and is a devotee to understanding the details from top to bottom. From business-to-business manufacturing clients to promoting a “candy buy-back” with a local dental group, Andrea gets RMPR’s clients’ messages out loud and clear. (Read Andrea’s bio)
Brant Skogrand, APR, MBC
Come back to the dark side…. agency life is where you belong! Brant joined RMPR after living the ‘suite’ life of providing PR counseling, planning and implementation for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. He brings a diverse background of both corporate and agency experience to RMPR clients. (Read Brant’s bio)
Chris Peterson By definition, integrated marketing communications entails lots of moving parts including Web marketing. A Google-guru, Chris helps RMPR think outside the Google-box to identify other online media opportunities and assists RMPR with optimizing news releases, identifying hot blogs and anything associated with search marketing. (Read Chris' bio)
Erica Proper
Visualize it. That’s what Erica does best – convey ideas in a visual way. We tap Erica’s talents often to create high-impact layouts for all our PR materials. Additionally, she is always “in the know” on all the latest client news as we keep her busy scanning, archiving and cataloging media coverage secured for Risdall McKinney clients. (Read Erica's bio)
Eva Keiser, APR
An avid gardener, this green thumb has a nose for the news. With a keen eye on the industry, Eva keeps clients and colleagues in optimal performance mode. She sets – and achieves – high standards focused not only on outputs, but on outcomes. With an assertive yet respectful work style, Eva isn’t afraid to put her foot down and tell the client this is how the situation will shake down for them. (Read Eva’s bio)
Glenna Dibrell
When it comes to implementing strategic communications and marketing programs, Glenna is your gal! She is an experienced marketing professional who combines vision, strategy, business savvy and creative management disciplines to deliver bottom line results. An effective leader for a broad range of for profit and non-profit industries in U.S. and global markets, Glenna has worked in all aspects of communications - print, copyright and broadcast media. (Read Glenna's bio)
Jared Roy As the go-to person for integrating social media into our client work, Jared capitalizes on our ability to create new and tried and true strategies. He continues to cultivate communication with clients’ key audiences on the Web.(Read Jared's bio)
Jennifer Risdall
Optimize, optimize, optimize. That’s Jenn’s motto. A believer that online marketing is a whole lot more than banner ads and search engine optimization, Jenn works closely with the Risdall McKinney team to ensure we’re building links to reach our audiences online as well as offline. (Read Jennifer's bio)
Joel Koenigs
Need a Web site? Want to implement an online survey? Curious about new media applications? As director of web development, Joel can answer your questions – in plain speak – and help create PR-oriented Web strategies that help clients embrace the speed and interaction that shape reputations with the click of the mouse. Additionally, Joel is responsible for our IT systems including secure FTP sites for client access to review materials. (Read Joel's bio)
Joel Swanson, APR
‘Curious Joel’ is how he’s known at RMPR due to innate sense of curiosity and passion for learning. Joel encompasses the idea that it’s never to late to learn something new. While thinking outside the box, Joel helps move clients to the next level – always offering fresh and creative ideas to beef up their strategic plan. (Read Joel’s bio)
John Risdall
From the very beginning, John has always believed in offering clients whatever they needed to reach their marketing goals. With over 40 years in the agency business, John has launched hundreds of new products and scores of companies. Integrated from the get go, Risdall Marketing Group comprises multiple divisions including Risdall McKinney Public Relations. Agency founder, John serves today as CEO and vice chairman of Risdall Marketing Group. (Read John's bio)
Josh Dahmes
When it comes to all things online, Josh is the agency guru. Terms like social networking, blogging, podcasting, SEO (search engine optimization) are not just familiar but part of his everyday vernacular and his everyday media routine. Better yet, he makes it easy for coworkers and colleagues to engage online strategies with confidence. Wanna know who’s saying what about you on the net? Josh can tell you … and advise on whether or not you need to pay attention or simply ignore it. (Read Josh's bio)
Kelly Mapes
Agencies tend to have a lot of right-brain folks, so when it comes to matters of higher math (aka accounting), we’re grateful for the left-brain mindset that Kelly brings to the team. Whether it’s assigning project codes, tracking timesheets, preparing invoices or paying vendors, Kelly keeps this agency organized and in the black. (Read Kelly's bio)
Kevin Deshler
Plain and simple, Kevin is downright passionate about public relations and marketing. He just gets it: the two disciplines are not only complementary but equally important. He loves a great brand. But even more, he loves helping clients create reputations that clearly convey the promise of their brands. Wow! With Kevin, it’s a brand-reputation love fest. His industry experience spans technology, bio-medical, education and retail. (Read Kevin's bio)
Laura Wightman
With precision like a ballerina, Laura is graceful and poised when developing and implementing media outreach. Attention to detail and accuracy drives Laura’s passion and care for the projects she works on. Cautious not to miss the next step or leap, Laura keeps the ball rolling on projects and is an essential member of the ensemble at RMPR. (Read Laura’s bio)
Len Mitsch
A seasoned ad guy that not only understands PR, but has become quite a fan of this power-packed discipline. He’s the first to say, PR is not shorthand for press release. Gosh, it makes our heart proud to know public relations is understood! Len serves on the alumni board of directors for the University of Minnesota school of journalism. (Read Len's bio)
Lisa Grimm Fear not; that’s Lisa’s motto. A true thrill seeker, Lisa likes doing what seems to be impossible. Whether flying a small airplane (a Cessna 172), riding a motorcycle or conducting media relations, Lisa loves to take on new and exciting challenges. (Read Lisa's bio)
Melissa Lochner
Melissa started her career on the other side of the tracks – you know, the side where you get to negotiate and buy time and space in print, broadcast and online. While she’ll never completely abandon the world of TRPs, DMAs, Claritas and other such ad terminology, we truly appreciate her perspective on matching audiences with media. (Read Melissa's bio)
Melissa Neill
Variety is what keeps Melissa passionate about public relations. Her experience includes working on both the corporate and agency side of public relations and she can describe thoroughly and succinctly the objectives, strategies, tactics and “results that matter” for client industries as diverse as aviation, technology and education. (Read Melissa’s bio)
Patrick Bettenburg
Food, glorious food. Patrick knows the food industry well having spent time in both marketing and operations for a variety of companies: Cargill’s Sunny Fresh Foods, Ecolab Food & Beverage division, and the Aristos Group. A self-proclaimed “foodie,” Patrick stays fit by leading several of the Agency’s sporting goods and outdoors account teams. (Read Patrick's bio)
Paul Presnail
One of the most down-to-earth, jargon-free writers we’ve ever worked with, Paul is adept at both helping readers understand both simple and complex B2B and consumer messaging. In fact, we wish he had written these bios! (Read Paul's bio)
Rose McKinney, APR
Aye, aye, captain! Rose runs the crew at RMPR and she runs a tight ship. She formed Risdall McKinney with a belief that employee and client satisfaction go hand in hand. Rose will be a team player and swab the deck if need be. Captain Rose has exceptional leadership and management capabilities and exemplary client service. Shiver-me-timbers! Who else would you want to steer your ship? (Read Rose’s bio)
Ted Risdall
As president of Risdall Interactive and chairman of Risdall Marketing Group, Ted has built an impressive group of technology, telecom and education accounts. He’s on the phone 98 percent of the time, doing what it takes to make clients happy. And while he doesn’t claim to have invented the Internet, but passionately believes it was made with public relations in mind. (Read Ted's bio)
Terri Lee
Terri calls herself a salesperson yet we know her as much more. Clients like Terri because she truly understands what drives sales of products and services. More importantly, Terri drives “results that matter” by translating this understanding into brand strategy and integrated marketing campaigns. (Read Terri's bio)
Tim Dillon
Perhaps it’s his Catholic upbringing, but Tim lives in fear of disappointing clients. So, he’s ever cognizant of setting client-agency expectations. He’s also mindful of including measurement criteria so everyone is clear on progress and value. Tim’s experience spans many industries including foodservice, financial services, manufacturing, technology, travel and utilities. (Read Tim's bio)
Tina Karelson
A bit quiet and reserved, yet an excellent conversationalist and an even better writer. Tina always knows the right word and the correct grammatical structure. She’s praised for taking the complex and making it easy to understand. Jargon just isn’t her style, which makes her a versatile copywriter who creates highly effective and memorable PR, marketing, interactive and advertising materials for clients as diverse as medical devices and cultural non-profit organizations. (Read Tina's bio)
Tom Wilson
What’s in a name? Or more specifically, the title, chief connectivity officer. While Risdall McKinney can’t claim credit for Tom’s title, we sure appreciate what it means. Tom partners with Risdall McKinney to ensure that Risdall Marketing Group clients get paired with the right agency divisions whether it’s advertising, interactive, search marketing or public relations. He brings big- and small-agency experience and has a broad background of helping clients of all sizes and industries reach business goals. (Read Tom's bio)