LANSING, Mich. — Crain’s Detroit Business has recognized three Martin Waymire staffers in its 40 Under 40 class of 2021. Josh Hovey, APR, Angela Minicuci, APR, and Andie Poole, APR, will be honored at a ceremony Thursday evening at the Detroit Opera House.
Hovey, Minicuci and Poole will assume ownership of Martin Waymire, a full-service public relations and digital marketing firm with a focus on public policy, starting Jan. 1, 2022.
Martin Waymire co-founder and partner Roger Martin, APR, will be retiring from the firm at the end of the year after a nearly 40-year career as an award-winning journalist, public relations practitioner and business owner. Firm partner David Waymire will continue full time at the firm for another year, with plans to retire at the end of 2022.
Since 1991, Crain’s Detroit has recognized the young leaders taking the region to new heights. This cohort of luminaries, now numbering about 1,200 people, includes governors, mayors, titans of industry, newsmakers, changemakers, lawmakers and at least two of Michigan’s richest people on the honor rolls.
“We are thrilled and honored to be included in this list of incredible leaders doing great things for their communities and industries,” said Poole. “And to be recognized alongside my soon-to-be business partners Josh and Angela makes this even more special.”
“We are elated with this recognition for the new ownership team we have developed over the years,” said Roger Martin, who founded the firm with David Waymire. “David and I know the firm and our clients are in extraordinary hands as Martin Waymire moves forward.”
Hovey has earned a reputation as an exceptional public relations counselor in nearly two decades managing brand reputation, digital media, community relations, crisis communications, ballot campaigns, and other strategic communications services for dozens of clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local nonprofits. He served as spokesperson and communications director on the winning 2018 campaign to pass Proposal 1 on the statewide ballot legalizing and regulating marijuana for adults 21 and older in Michigan. He also helped create the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, the state’s largest trade association for businesses in the licensed cannabis industry.
Minicuci led communications for the largest state government agency in Michigan — the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — for nearly a decade. She helped launch Michigan’s I Vaccinate campaign, which in 2020 won a Silver Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America — the top PR award in the nation. She manages earned media and coalition development related to COVID-19 for several clients, including MDHHS and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, and has led strategy for clients such as the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, Michigan Virtual, Capital Area Transportation Authority, and more.
Poole has more than 15 years of communications management experience in the technology sector, higher education, and government relations, and has managed award-winning social and digital media campaigns for Martin Waymire clients, from large corporations to statewide associations. Her work was instrumental in growing Bridge Michigan’s digital presence, which has been crucial in its fundraising efforts and ability to reach readers across the state through social media. Poole was also Martin Waymire’s lead consultant on the I Vaccinate campaign to boost childhood immunization rates in Michigan. She has continued to oversee strategy on a variety of vaccination-related campaigns, including on Michigan’s COVID-19 response and efforts to increase flu vaccination rates. She also works with Michigan’s University Research Corridor and Waste Management, among other clients.
Hovey, Minicuci and Poole are all Martin Waymire vice presidents who have earned their accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society for America. All three are also proud alumni of Michigan State University. Hovey holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Minicuci earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a specialization in public relations. Poole has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in public relations. Like both Martin and Waymire, Hovey and Minicuci have been honored by the Central Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society for America as “PACE Maker of the Year,” the award given for the chapter’s PR practitioner of the year.
Founded in 2004 in Lansing, Mich., Martin Waymire principals and staff have a long track record of effectively managing public relations, advocacy and issue campaigns for small to large corporations, coalitions and associations in industries and policy areas including health care, public health, utilities and energy, high tech, insurance, casino gaming, K-12 and higher education, public transportation, telecommunications, local, county and state governments, the beverage industry and more. With a passion for making Michigan a better place, Martin Waymire team members have won five Silver Anvils – the “Pulitzer Prize” of the public relations profession.
