Communica has added to its bench-strength, and its ability to meet client needs, with a number of recent staff additions. The additions reflect the rebounding economy, and the addition (and pending addition) of a number of new projects for us.

In Calgary we have added Michelle Harries as Senior Counsel. Michelle has more than 20 years experience in communications, as a journalist, a corporate communicator, and a consultant. Her experience spans oil and gas (including oil sands, which is an important part of Communica’s current client work) and heavy industry, politics, non-profit and environmental communications.

We have also brought Laurie MacDonald on board as a full-time Data-Management Specialist. Data management (and specifically data entry) has increasingly become a core competency and service pillar for Communica, supporting files for clients such as TransAlta, Enbridge, Northern Gateway and Encana.  Laurie will oversee the consistency of our overall approach and service delivery for this growing part of Communica’s suite of service offerings.

We have also strengthened our B.C. capabilities with the addition of two Senior Associates, who currently have their own consulting companies, but who will also be available to assist Communica clients, and bring their extensive knowledge and experience about the B.C. market to Communica. Kevin Brown, of Kevin Brown Communications in Prince George, brings 27 years of media and public relations experience to the table. Moss Giasson, of Montane Environmental Services in Victoria, brings 10 years of experience in environmental management, project supervision, regulatory process and public engagement.  Both have agreed to join the Communica team as Senior Associates.

“The addition of these four knowledgeable and talented individuals significantly strengthens Communica’s ability to provide quality and timely service to our expanding client base,” said Communica CEO Doug Ford. “We welcome them and look forward to their contributions as Communica enters a period of growth in Western Canada.”

Doug also took the opportunity to acknowledge the recent departure of Alan Roth, his partner in Communica since 2002. “We will miss Alan,” he said, “and his many contributions to the growth of the company.  We will also miss him as a friend. But the fact he is now at Enbridge Northern Gateway (a Communica client) means we do keep in touch.  And I think it is a tribute to the strength of the organization that he helped build that we have been able to continue to provide top service to all our clients, even with his departure, and to grow the company. With the new talent we have just added, we really do have an exciting future.”