JohnstonWells.com

Chief Executive Officer
Gwinavere founded JohnstonWells in 1971. Even after 40 years in the business, she frequently acknowledges that she learns something new every day. Her work in strategic planning, media strategy, corporate social responsibility and crisis communications continues to grow.

She has established important relationships with Colorado’s business leaders, government officials, key nonprofit organizations and media. Under her leadership, JohnstonWells is recognized as a leading public relations firm, both regionally and nationally. In 2008, the firm was named one of the best public relations agencies to work for in the nation, ranking fourth in the small agency category, by The Holmes Report, one of the most prestigious recognition programs in the public relations industry. The firm received the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts 2003 Small Business Award of the Year and the 2003 National Philanthropy Day in Colorado Award for Outstanding Small Business. In addition, the brightly painted walls and colorful folk art collection brought JohnstonWells the Creative Work Space of the Year award from the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts in 2005.

President & Chief Operating Officer

As president and COO of JohnstonWells Public Relations, GG Johnston represents more than just the second generation of one of Colorado’s first public relations firms. She has spearheaded a bold progression in thinking that has changed the firm’s approach to strategic public relations planning.

GG’s commitment to leveraging changing media on behalf of the firm’s clients led to an expansion of services to include comprehensive emerging media development. Today, JohnstonWells is the only Denver PR agency with an in-house video production division. Blogger outreach, social networking and online video are now an integral part of nearly every program created at JohnstonWells, falling in line beside traditional services like media relations, crisis management and positioning.

GG’s progressive approach permeates JohnstonWells’ office culture as well. She created EPIC Journey, a job training and evaluation program that has received national attention. Three generations of public relations professionals give JohnstonWells a diversity in backgrounds and creative thinking with which few PR agencies can compete. Because of GG’s unique approach to management, JohnstonWells was recently named the nation’s No. 4 small PR agency to work for by the Holmes Report and one of the Top 10 overall places to work by the Denver Business Journal.

Senior Counselor
Director of Online Strategy

Mike built his first Web site in 1994, before much of the business world realized what an important tool the Internet could — and would — eventually become. Ever since, he’s been fascinated by and fixated on Web technology, developing, designing and managing everything from general Web sites to social networks to blogs.

Mike’s 15-year Internet immersion informs every part of his role as JohnstonWells’ Director of Online Strategy. He works with each of JohnstonWells’ clients, helping guide every public relations program to maximize online reach and make sure companies utilize the Web in the most effective ways.

Senior Counselor
Diane brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning and counsel, trade relations, brand and corporate positioning, product marketing and media relations to JohnstonWells Public Relations. In addition to developing new business and serving as the firm’s human resources director, she helps health care and consumer clients reach their business goals.

Before rejoining JohnstonWells in 2006, Diane was an independent consultant, helping local organizations, retailers, authors, chefs and artists reach multiple targeted audiences through small-business strategies.

Senior Counselor

Rodney began consulting with JohnstonWells Public Relations in August 2007 before joining the team as a senior counselor and director of business development in 2008. He brings the client-side perspective to the agency as a former corporate communications and marketing public relations executive.

Formerly, Rodney was vice president of corporate communications at First Data Corporation, the previously publicly held, Fortune 500 leader of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. At First Data, he led strategic public relations and employee communication programs that represented 40 percent of the company’s $8 billion revenue. In addition, Rodney completed a two-year project assignment as the communications lead during First Data's $6 billion acquisition and integration of Concord.

Senior Counselor

Christina joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2003, bringing with her more than 10 years of experience in public relations, communications, advertising and training. Her responsibilities at JohnstonWells include developing and executing public relations programs and leading teams for real estate, health care and corporate clients.

Christina is a member of the JohnstonWells executive leadership team and oversees the firm’s pro-bono and community outreach programs. A certified facilitator, she facilitates JohnstonWells’ signature message training and strategic planning sessions.

Senior Counselor
Director, Critical Thinking & Media Strategy
Ann has 25 years of experience in public relations, including 14 years with JohnstonWells. The firm’s media guru, she continues to develop her strong and successful track record with national, regional and local media programs. She is also an expert in community and consumer relations and audience development. Her current clients include Qwest Communications and Goodwill Industries.

Because of her extensive experience, problem-solving acumen and ability to recognize opportunities that benefit clients, she is the firm’s director of creativity. In this role, she consults with all account teams to help them develop strategies that produce outstanding results.

Senior Counselor

Kirsten joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 1997. She has 15 years of experience developing and managing multifaceted public relations programs that include trade and consumer media outreach, consumer education, community relations, new product launches and new facility openings. She has worked with numerous product manufacturers, including such national brands as Coors Brewing Company, Coleman Natural Meats, FitBall, Qwest Communications, Roche Pharmaceuticals, ServiceMagic.com, Soy7 pasta and Sunsweet Prune Juice.

Kirsten recently oversaw a national consumer education program for Boulder-based research firm Infoture about the importance of reading and talking to children from birth to age 3. She currently oversees a corporate positioning program for Qwest Communications to educate parents and teens about safe and effective use of technology.

Senior Counselor

With 18 years of experience, Gina offers an extensive background in various public relations service areas including media relations, community relations, employee communications, issues management, crisis communications, special event planning, business-to-business communications and executive positioning. Gina has represented clients in numerous industries, including health care, construction, retail, consumer products, food products, financial services, professional services, technology, travel and tourism.

Gina began her career at JohnstonWells and then went on to build and operate a successful consulting practice from 1998 through mid-2007. She and her staff represented local and national clients including international media outreach for client DigitalGlobe, which provided the world captivating satellite imagery of both the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005; the national launch of the world’s first Microsoft-powered sewing machine for Bernina of America; and building award-winning online media rooms for several clients that led to her firm earning the “PR Innovation of the Year” distinction from PRWeek magazine.

Senior Counselor
Director, Broadcast Media

Marc joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2006 as director of the firm’s broadcast practice. He has more than 25 years' experience in broadcast journalism as an assignment editor, producer, manager and assistant news director.

Marc draws on his extensive background to provide strategic counsel on local and national broadcast outreach for such clients as Qwest Communications, SysTest Labs and Goodwill Industries. He specializes in producing video news packages for client Web sites and to support media outreach, media training and crisis communications for JohnstonWells’ clients.

Counselor

Elizabeth joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2006 with eight years of experience in public relations and marketing. At JohnstonWells, her responsibilities include developing and executing public relations programs for a variety of accounts, including Qwest Communications, Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association, D.H. Ruggles & Associates and AORN Works.

Prior to joining JohnstonWells, Elizabeth worked at Freeman Wall Public Relations and Wall+Aiello, in addition to two other Denver public relations agencies where she executed local and national public relations campaigns. Before moving to Denver in 2002, she worked as a senior account executive at Chaffee Group in Chicago, a full services marketing agency that specialized in commercial real estate. At Chaffee, she worked on media relations, advertising and special events planning. She started her career at Chicago’s Kendrick Communications, where she did media relations and trade show planning for the automotive aftermarket industry.

Senior Associate

Sarah joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2004 as an intern, was hired as an associate the same year and in 2008 was promoted to senior associate. She has experience in project management, media relations, employee and community relations, and event coordination.

Sarah is an integral team member on accounts including Qwest Communications, SysTest Labs, Vascular Disease Foundation and Goodwill Industries.

Senior Associate

Breanna joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2004 and plays a key role in developing public relations strategies, conducting media relations and planning special events for a variety of clients. She participates in client teams including Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association and Goodwill Industries of Denver. She also manages JohnstonWells’ own internal marketing efforts.

Breanna sits on the board of directors for Denver Urban Gardens, is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and serves on the communications committee for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She is a community mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado and volunteers at Brent’s Place, a hospitality house for children with cancer.

Senior Associate

Blake joined JohnstonWells in 2008, bringing a strong background in writing, blogging, social media and audio/video production. He currently provides support for Qwest Communications, SysTest Labs and AORN Works, in addition to producing video packages for several other clients as a member of JohnstonWells’ emerging media team.

Prior to joining JohnstonWells, Blake worked as a multimedia reporter covering University of Oklahoma football and basketball for The Oklahoman in Oklahoma City. In addition to print reporting, Blake hosted a popular OU football podcast on iTunes and produced videos for The Oklahoman’s award-winning Web site, NewsOK.com. He has freelanced for the Sacramento Bee and the Denver Post and served as guest host for two drive-time sports radio talk shows.

He double-majored in journalism and ministry at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Okla.

Associate

Lee joined the JohnstonWells team in January 2008 as an intern and was hired as a full-time associate in April 2008. Her experience includes sales, customer service and collaborative group work.

As an associate, Lee assists such clients as Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), SBIRT Colorado, D.H. Ruggles and Associates, and Goodwill Industries.

While attending the University of Colorado at Boulder she was the president of Kappa Kappa Gamma in 2005, where she volunteered for Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and numerous Boulder nonprofit organizations. Additionally, she was a member of the Greek Honor Society, Order of Omega. Lee is an active member of the University of Colorado Alumni Association, Denver Debutante Jr. Patrons Committee and LoDo Young Professionals.

Associate

Alexis joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2005, bringing experience in media, multicultural outreach and grassroots marketing. At JohnstonWells, Alexis plays a key role on such clients as Qwest Communications, Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association, R.W. Beck and the Regional Air Quality Council.

Prior to joining JohnstonWells, Alexis worked as a public relations coordinator for KLH Consulting Services in Golden, Colo. There, she assisted in the development and execution of Hispanic outreach campaigns for Coors Brewing Company and provided media strategy and support for multicultural events.

Associate
Manager, Social Media

Efrem joined JohnstonWells in 2007 with a background in emerging media, online communications and Web interfaces. He provides team support for several clients including Qwest Communications and the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). He brings a deep understanding of social media to JohnstonWells’ emerging media practice.

Prior to joining JohnstonWells, Efrem did custom typesetting and graphic design work at Leanin’ Tree in Boulder, Colo. He also has provided pro bono communications and design work for Intercambio de Comunidades, a local nonprofit organization.