JONATHAN LEHRER COMMUNICATIONS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Editorial Board of the Joliet

Bob Herrick is a communications professional with nearly four decades of experience in newsroom, foundation and association settings. He has directed media, community and corporate communications programs focusing on economic development, manufacturing and workforce development. Herrick served as vice president of communications and government affairs for the Will County (Ill.) Center of Economic Development, cited on three occasions by Site Selection Magazine is one of the top 20 economic development organizations in the U.S. He provided similar support for Three Rivers Manufacturers' Association, representing petrochemical companies and heavy industry, an affiliate organization. Herrick played a key role in drafting a federally mandated risk management plan for a consortium of chemical companies in Will and Grundy counties in Illinois. A registered lobbyist in the State of Illinois, Herrick facilitated grass roots initiatives in support of South Suburban Airport, the southern extension of I-355, communities hosting riverboat gaming and local school referenda. He has lobbied at the local, state and national levels on issues impacting economic development and manufacturing. In his prior career, Herrick spent 21 years in broadcast news as a reporter, news director and talk show host, working in Indiana and northeast Illinois. Herrick is a member of the editorial board of the Joliet (Ill.) Herald News, a daily paper owned by the Sun-Times News Group; and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority's Local Advisory Committee for the southern extension of I-355. Herrick periodically facilitates classes on contemporary issues, politics and religion at First Presbyterian Church in Joliet. He has volunteered with numerous civic and charitable organizations. Herrick holds a journalism degree from the College of Saint Francis.

Job Titles:

• Communications

Friedmann Lehrer Communications | Healthcare Public Relations Consultants

Ray Valek heads Valek & Company, Inc., a firm that provides a full range of marketing and communication services through a team of senior-level consultants, writers and designers. Valek's experience and expertise is centered primarily in healthcare and medicine; higher education; and science and technology. Since starting his company in 2003, Ray Valek has worked with 15 professionals to provide "big agency" expertise at a lower cost structure and with stronger senior-level experience. Services have included annual reports, branding, communication strategy, design, internal communication, marketing communication and advertising, media planning, public relations, research, TV and multimedia production and Web development. Also working as a writer, Ray has completed a range of editorial/Web content assignments including: Annual Reports Speechwriting/Scriptwriting News and Feature Writing Ad and Direct Mail Copywriting Valek & Co. focuses on three industry sectors: Health and Medicine Higher Education Science and Technology These sectors have at least one thing in common: smart leaders who understand and appreciate the importance of clear and insightful communication about important issues and services. To both professional and consumer audiences in these industries, Valek & Co. brings the ability to communicate concepts and technicalities in a meaningful way.