Now that we’re in that lull between Christmas and the New Year, the team here at Martin Waymire has been spending some quiet time reflecting on all the twists and turns 2021 brought us.
We began the year navigating how to successfully return to the office after working nine full months completely remote. Our team landed on a hybrid schedule that ensures we’re able to collaborate in-person when needed while also maintaining the flexibility that remote work allows. While we’ve always had a pretty flexible work environment, even before the pandemic, this permanent shift in our work schedule has helped reinforce our commitment to maintaining a positive work-life balance.
This also was a year where we welcomed several new members to our team and saw others take on new roles. Adam Bitely, Randy Hannan, and Wes Buskirk have all slotted perfectly into their roles providing expert digital and traditional communications for our clients. Hannah Lupi, Charlotte Taylor (official blog announcement coming soon!), Andrea Kerbuski and Angela Minicuci all received promotions this year to reflect their increased roles and responsibilities managing our clients’ communications strategies.
It’s important that we have such great talent, because we have some big shoes to fill with the retirement of founder and fearless leader Roger Martin. This year’s Rocktoberfest served as Roger’s official send off, and his 40-year career in journalism and public relations is recapped in this recent blog. Beyond being a great trip down memory lane, reading up on the impact Roger has made on the state has motivated the MW team to work harder than ever to ensure the company continues to live up to Roger’s legacy.
Fortunately, we have a great new leadership team guiding Martin Waymire into its next generation. New owners Andrea Poole, Angela Minicuci and Josh Hovey, combined with Vice President Andrea Kerbuski, have the mix of strategic thinking, digital savvy, media relationships and business and government connections to ensure our clients will continue to meet their goals and make Michigan a better place. This past spring, Angela was honored as the Pacemaker of the Year by the Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the chapter’s highest personal honor. And in November, Andie, Angela and Josh were all named in Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 Under 40, which recognizes the region’s top leaders under 40 years old. In addition, Founder David Waymire and Vice President Kathy Barks Hoffman continue to provide guidance as part of our management team.
We’ve spent the past year in the public relations trenches helping our clients communicate how to stay safe from COVID-19, advocating on behalf of our state’s top universities, advancing proposals to strategically invest Michigan’s American Rescue Plan dollars and supporting our hometown power company – just to name a few projects. As we head into 2022, we’re confident Martin Waymire is stronger than ever as we continue toward our goal of working with clients that are making Michigan a better place.
