1. JOHN GARDNER, APR
SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL
(414) 943-2423
jgard087@yahoo.com
Milwaukee, WI
SKILLS
Public Relations
Media Relations
Community Outreach
Social Media
Crisis and Reputation
Management
Strategic Planning
Govt/Public Affairs
EDUCATION
Univ. of WI – Stevens Point
BS – Communication
Public Relations Emphasis
ACHIEVEMENTS
Accredited in Public Relations (2011)
PRSA member (since 2000)
2014 PRSA Bronze Anvil for design
unveiling of NM’s HQ expansion
8x PRSA Paragon Award recipient –
2010 BEST IN SHOW for govt. affairs
campaign re: MMA safety regulations
UW-Stevens Point Alumni Association
Board member; chair of
Communication Committee
UW-Stevens Point Chancellor's
Leadership Award
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Accredited public and community relations professional with 15-years of experience
executing strategic internal and external communications, coordinating targeted media
relations strategies and providing professional counsel.
EXPERIENCE
SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT
Northwestern Mutual/August 2012-present
FORTUNE 100 financial management and life insurance giant with $238 billion in assets,
$27.9 billion in 2015 revenue serving more than 4.3 million clients
• Drive external communications for NM’s new $450 million Milwaukee
headquarters expansion that has captured widespread community support and
positive media coverage for the company’s commitment to driving economic
impact and job creation.
• Increase visibility of NM’s $35 billion real estate portfolio through sustained
media relations outreach highlighting prominent investments that include the
company's new $100 mixed-use development real estate investment in
downtown Milwaukee and the future arrival of Wisconsin's first IKEA location.
• Provide strategic counsel to business partners in marketing and technology
division re: corporate sponsorships (NCAA, Rose Bowl), STEM education, and
innovation and FinTech initiatives.
• Work closely with company executives and directors and top financial
representatives on national and regional media outreach around NM’s
proprietary research findings, national awareness month campaigns and
product/planning opportunities.
• Maintain strong relationships with Milwaukee public officials and business and
community leaders related to NM’s presence in southeastern WI.
• Serve as external communications partner on NM’s crisis action team and
provide counsel on individual reputation management issues.
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Zeppos & Associates/November 2005 - August 2012
Milwaukee-based PR, government affairs and crisis management agency. Acquired by
Laughlin Constable in August 2012
• Executed local, regional and national consumer- and industry-based media
strategies for clients in education, financial, manufacturing, employee wellness,
environmental and entertainment sectors.
• Provided strategic counsel to clients in crisis situations, including media training
and proactive development and implementation of crisis management plans.
• Served as a registered lobbyist for national and WI organizations, including
working with lawmakers to establish comprehensive safety regulations for the
sport of mixed martial arts in WI that was ultimately signed into law.
• Developed strong working relationships with Milwaukee business and
community leaders and public officials.

2. JOHN GARDNER, APR
SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL
(414) 943-2423
jgard087@yahoo.com
Milwaukee, WI
PROFFESIONAL
REFERENCES
Jeff Buhrandt
Dir. of State Relations
University of WI System
(608) 262-1312
jbuhrandt@uwsa.edu
Andrew Halverson
VP of Business Development
Ellis Stone Construction
Stevens Point, WI
(715) 345-5000
andrew@elliswi.com
Brenna Sadler
Exec. VP – Public Relations
Laughlin Constable
Milwaukee, WI
414-270-7266
bsadler@laughlin.com
Peter Balistrieri
Sr. Comm. Consultant
Northwestern Mutual
Milwaukee, WI
(262) 510-8082
peterbalistrieri@northwesternmutu
al.com
EXPERIENCE CONTINUED
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
Executive Director, Inc. (EDI)/August 2002 – November 2005
A top five association management firm servicing national and international medical,
certification, and scientific associations, including the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the American Society of Gene Therapy (ASGT).
• Executed a sustained asthma/allergy education campaign that included
seasonal news releases, news conferences at organization’s annual
conference and targeted media pitching.
• Secured national media coverage for groundbreaking journal research in
peanut allergy treatments and childhood asthma.
• Managed AAAAI's online newsroom that served as the organizations key
media channel (Before the dawn of social media)
• Managed network of leading allergists and immunologists to serve as national
and regional spokespersons.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR
The Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Museum of Art/March 2002 – August 2002
Art museum on the Marquette University campus that houses the school’s permanent
art collection and features approximately 10 exhibitions annually.
• Captured media outreach around museum’s permanent collection and
rotating exhibitions.
• Coordinated donor events, grade school visits.
MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Narada Productions/November 2000 – December 2001
Independent new-age and world music label formally based in Milwaukee.
• Captured media coverage in music industry publications for release of new
music from label’s artists.
• Coordinated interviews, meet-and-greets with artists during regional tour
stops.