Veteran Akron Communications Professional Stephanie York Joins Hennes Communications
CRISIS MANAGEMENT FIRM LAUNCHING SATELLITE OFFICE IN AKRON
CLEVELAND – Stephanie York, a communications professional with extensive experience and deep ties in the Akron area, is joining Hennes Communications as vice president. The firm, which specializes in crisis management and communications, is expanding its team and opening an office in Akron. York brings to that challenge years of communications work in Akron, most recently serving as director of communications and public relations for Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
York also was director of communications for the City of Akron, working with then-Mayor Don Plusquellic. She also brings in-house legal expertise to Hennes, having worked as assistant director of law for the City of Akron.
“Stephanie is the ideal person to add to our team as Hennes continues to grow and expand,” said Bruce Hennes, managing partner at Hennes Communications. “For years, we have worked with clients in Akron and the surrounding communities, so we know the area. But Stephanie brings to us a different, deeper level of knowledge about the issues and an intimate level of familiarity and trust with people in Akron that can only come from years of working and volunteering there.”
Hennes said York also brings a skill set that will both complement and enhance the Hennes team’s expertise, including governmental relations, social media management, strategic planning and implementation, community relations, disaster preparation and more. “And having an attorney on board, with the experience Stephanie has had with the Akron law department, gives us one more tool for clients who need help with crisis management,” Hennes said.
“Having served as an attorney, communications director, and spokesperson for the City of Akron and most recently as director of communications and public relations for Cleveland Clinic Akron General, I’ve handled scores of high-pressure, complicated issues and encounters,” York said. “I am looking forward to using the skills that I have developed over the past 25 years to help clients successfully navigate through reputation and image challenges. Throughout my career, I have been privileged to work with, and learn from, some of the brightest people in Northeast Ohio. Bruce Hennes has cultivated one of the most talented crisis management teams in the country, and I know that I will continue to grow personally and professionally as part of his team.
“I am also very excited to be opening a Hennes Communications office in downtown Akron,” York added, “where I can continue to work and support my community, in the heart of the city I love.”
York’s expansive volunteer work includes serving as current president of the board of directors for the Downtown Akron Kiwanis, president pro-tem of the board of trustees for the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund, board of directors member for the Akron Roundtable, board of trustees member for the Leadership Akron Alumni Association and board of trustees member for the Jewish Community Board of Akron.
York earned her bachelor of science degree in communications from Ohio University and her juris doctorate degree from The University of Akron.