Paynter Joins Cleveland Crisis Communications Firm

Bruce Hennes of Hennes Communications today announced that Barbara Paynter, APR has joined the firm in an "of counsel" role. Hennes Communications is located in Cleveland, Ohio and specializes in crisis communications, media training and litigation communications.

Cleveland, Ohio ((PRWEB) May 3, 2006 -- Bruce Hennes of Hennes Communications today announced that Barbara Paynter, APR has joined the firm in an “of counsel” role. Paynter brings almost 20 years of public relations experience to Hennes Communications, which specializes in crisis communications, media training and litigation communications.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to focus on crisis work and other high-stakes client situations where I can have the greatest impact,” Paynter said. “Hennes Communications has built a strong reputation for helping clients who need crisis communications. I believe that our skills and experiences complement one another to offer clients exceptional strategic advice and tactical execution.”

“Crisis comm work requires a very specialized set of skills. Barb has those skills – and more,” said Bruce Hennes, Senior Partner of Hennes Communications.

Paynter specializes in crisis and environmental communications, media relations, media training and litigation support. She most recently served as senior vice president with Edward Howard & Co., a full-service public relations agency based in Cleveland. During her nine-year tenure with Edward Howard, Paynter worked with a number of high-profile clients including Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., The Hoover Company, 3M, PPG Industries, Akron General Hospital, Barberton Citizens Hospital and National City Bank.

Prior to joining Edward Howard & Co. in 1997, she was director of university relations for Walsh University in North Canton, where she was responsible for overall public relations for the university, recruiting and marketing publications, advertising campaigns, employee communications and media relations. She previously owned and operated a freelance writing business in Akron.

Paynter began her career as a newspaper reporter and editor, working for newspapers in Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Ohio.

In 2004, Paynter’s work on behalf of Barberton Citizens Hospital helped that organization earn a Silver Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She also led a team that received the Gold SABRE Award for business-to-business marketing from The Holmes Group, for work on behalf of the Wallcoverings Association. In 2001, the YWCA of Summit County recognized her with its “Women of Achievement” distinction, and in 1997, she received the Mary O’Neil Award for her work with the Akron Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications.

Paynter holds a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America and currently serves as President Elect of the Cleveland Chapter, having recently served as president of the Akron Area Chapter. She also serves on the Boards of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls.

About Hennes Communications

Headquartered in Cleveland, Hennes Communications provides crisis communications, media training and litigations communications support to their clients. Some of their clients include Westfield Insurance, The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, NASA, Forest City Enterprises, John Carroll University, Notre Dame College, The Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition and The Business Emergency Planning Association.

For More Information:

Bruce Hennes, 216-321-7774 or 216- 216-978-2047

Barbara Paynter, 216-227-0867 or 216-965-6543

http://www.crisiscommunications.com

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