Biernacinski of Imagine Communications inducted into Women’s Hall of Fame March 28

Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes those who give back, assist women in realizing their potential, more

HENDERSON, Nev. – Imagine Communications’ director of media relations, Melissa Biernacinski, was inducted into the Women’s Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Hall of Fame in the Young Professional Leadership category. In honor of Women’s History Month, the event was held Friday, March 28, at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

The Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their chosen professions, who have given back to the community in a meaningful way and who have assisted women in realizing their full potential.

From the Imagine team, Biernacinski joins Imagine’s media relations specialist, Tiffannie Bond, who was inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame, also in the Young Professional Leadership category, in 2012.

Biernacinski uses her background in journalism and strong relationships with members of the media to lead Imagine’s media relations efforts. Serving as a critical component of public relations campaigns for local and national clients in industries across the board, Biernacinski’s experience includes local and national story pitching and coordination for print, TV, radio and online; award nominations; crisis communication; press conference coordination; legislative support; and more. A member of the American Copy Editors Society, she also serves as Imagine’s resident editor.

ALL 2014 INDUCTEES INCLUDE:

Women’s Hall of Fame Pioneer Award Inductee: Marlene Adrian, DPE, President, Women of Diversity Productions, Inc. Professor Emerita, University of Illinois at U-C.

Leadership Inductees are: Heather J. Allen, MD, FACP, medical oncologist for Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada; Dawn Metcalfe, CFO/VP, Nathan Adelson Hospice; Jennifer Cooper, communications director, NV Governor’s Office of Economic Development; Gigi Vega, VP and GM of Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace; Paige Candee, president, 10e Media.

Young Professional Leadership Inductees are: Patricia Lee. Esq, partner with Hutchinson & Steffen; Melissa Biernacinski, director of media relations, Imagine Communications; Tracy Skenandore, area director of marketing and public relations for Republic Service; Kathryn Joy Rineer, architect with Pugsley Simpson Coulter Architects; Jodi Tyson, government affairs director for Three Square Food Bank.

Minority Lifetime Achievement Inductee: Phyllis A. James, executive vice president – special counsel – litigation and chief diversity officer of MGM Resorts International.

Women in Entertainment & Media Inductee: Amie Jo Greer, TV producer/host/media, writer, and performer and Women’s Organization inductee, Women’s Leadership Council – United Way of Southern Nevada.

Established in 2000, Imagine Communications is a full-service marketing and communications firm that provides strategic business planning, public relations, advertising, video production, consulting and government affairs services to clients nationwide. The company’s 13-person team works with a diverse array of clients of all sizes and in industries across the board.

For more information, call 702-837-8996, visit www.weareimagine.com, follow the company on Facebook or Twitter, or check out the company blog or the company online newsroom.

Rouff serves as moderator for Local Authors Showcase

Photo credit: Jane Freese

Henderson Libraries hosted the Local Author Showcase Launch Party from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, near the 215 Beltway. The showcase included a book publishing workshop, an author meet-and-greet, a discussion panel, and the unveiling of the new Local Author Collection.

More than 40 authors were present at the March 8 event for a meet-and-greet as well as a local author panel at 12:30 p.m., hosted by Brian Rouff, author of “Dice Angel” and managing partner of Imagine Communications. The panel included local authors Matt O’Brien, Deborah Coonts, David Schwartz and Gerard de Marigny

Biernacinski of Imagine Communications a finalist in 10th annual Women’s Chamber Athena Awards

HENDERSON, Nev. – Imagine Communications’ director of media relations, Melissa Biernacinski, was a finalist in the Young Professional Leadership category for the Women’s Chamber of Commerce’s 10th Annual ATHENA Leadership Awards held Friday, Dec. 6, at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino.

The organization’s biggest fundraising event of the year, the Athena Awards’ raffle and silent auction net proceeds benefited Baby’s Bounty, Dress for Success and Safe Nest.

Established in 2000, Imagine Communications is a full-service marketing and communications firm that provides strategic business planning, public relations, advertising, video production, consulting and government affairs services to clients nationwide. The company’s 13-person team works with a diverse array of clients of all sizes and in industries across the board.

For more information, call 702-837-8996, visit www.weareimagine.com, follow the company on Facebook or Twitter, or check out the company blog or the company online newsroom.

Imagine Communications receives Pinnacle Award Nov. 13

Award presented by the Public Relations Society of America’s Las Vegas chapter

Imagine’s media relations specialist, Tiffannie Bond (left), and director of media relations, Melissa Biernacinski (right), pictured with PRSA Las Vegas’ president, James Stover, APR.

HENDERSON, Nev. – Imagine Communications, a Henderson, Nev.-based full-service marketing and public relations company, was awarded a Pinnacle Award (in the media kit category) by the Public Relations Society of America’s Las Vegas chapter.

Entries were judged by PRSA’s San Diego chapter. Imagine’s director of media relations, Melissa Biernacinski, and media relations specialist, Tiffannie Bond, accepted the award Wednesday, Nov. 13, during the organization’s annual Pinnacle Awards ceremony.

Established in 2000, Imagine Communications is a full-service marketing and communications firm that provides strategic business planning, public relations, advertising, video production, consulting and government affairs services to clients nationwide. The company’s 13-person team works with a diverse array of clients of all sizes and in industries across the board.

For more information, call 702-837-8996, visit www.weareimagine.com, follow the company on Facebook or Twitter, or check out the company blog or the company online newsroom.

Henderson Chamber announces 14th Leadership Henderson class

Twenty-eight leaders selected to participate in the program’s Class of 2014

HENDERSON, Nev. – Leadership Henderson recently announced its class of 2014, the 14th graduating class of the program offered by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The 28 community and business leaders will receive more than 30 hours of professional leadership development training, which began with a two-day kickoff event in October and will continue through May. During the next seven months, participants will meet with Southern Nevada’s decision makers and learn about Henderson’s key topics and infrastructure.

The Leadership Henderson program works to strengthen and educate community leaders by providing participants with in-depth insights into a variety of issues impacting residents of Henderson and Southern Nevada.

Class participants include Angela Brommel, director of community outreach and major events for Nevada State College; Dr. Carrie Buck, principal of Sewell Elementary School; Natasha Conner, property manager for Harsch Investment Properties; Keith Copeland, assistant director of document management for Opportunity Village; Chris Fortier, senior advisor to the 6th Recruiting Brigade Family Readiness; Tom Gathright, production manager for Olin Corporation; John Holmstrom, maintenance manager for Tronox; John Hughes, project manager for power origination for NV Energy; Brian Huse, chief information officer for Arroweye Solutions, Inc.; Chris Johnson, president of Real Capital Corp.; Jarrad Katz, senior vice president for MDL Group; Darlene Magolski, business development manager for Manpower Inc. of Southern Nevada; Justin Miller, general manager for A First Impression; David Ortlipp, financial advisor for Thrivent Financial; David Patterson, associate director of admissions for DeVry University; Micah Phillips, production management manager and vice president for Nevada State Bank; Huston Pullen, economic development specialist for UNLV; Sherry Ramsey, CFO for Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada; Jeff Robey, manager revenue integrity for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals; Lester Romero, small business manager for Wells Fargo Bank; Josh Ruter, interim campus manager for College of Southern Nevada; Thomas Sizemore, team leader telecom IT for NV Energy; Honorable Mark Stevens, municipal court judge for City of Henderson; Patrick Thompson, director of operations for National Healthcare Access Inc.; Caprice Thurlow, business development manager for Thurlow Wealth Management; Cindy Wallace, director of fixed route services for RTC of Southern Nevada; Anne Weber, image manager for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals; and Diana Weeks, client relations manager for Imagine Communications.

“Leadership Henderson delivers a unique network experience for the business elite,” said Rebecca Fay, director of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundation and a 2007 graduate “I am very proud to have been the director of this program for more than seven years. I very much look forward to working with such exemplary people.”

During the experience, participants will choose a local organization to partner with as part of their service to the community. The Class of 2013 aligned with the Brown Junior High, fundraising and purchasing new instruments for the orchestra program. Thousands of dollars have gone back into the community by way of the projects that have developed out of the Leadership Henderson program.

“The success of the program lies with the volunteers who support it,” Fay said. “This is an alumni-driven program.  We rely heavily on the talents and resources of our alumni to continue the program’s success.”

Leadership Henderson is governed by the Henderson Chamber Foundation Board and guided by a steering committee. The majority of the participants have been identified and recruited by alumni of the program and all were chosen through a selective application and interview process.

“Our alumni have a great grasp on the type of individuals who will not only benefit from this development program, but in turn, will ultimately lend their talents to the vision of Leadership Henderson, which is to continue building our community for years to come,” said John Harvey, Leadership Henderson steering committee chairman and a 2009 program graduate.

For more information on the Leadership Henderson program, contact Rebecca Fay at 565-8951 or www.hendersonchamber.com.

Leadership Henderson s a non-profit organization that operates under the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Roadmap to Success workshop to explore creative brainstorming

Henderson Chamber series welcomes Alex Raffi Oct. 10

HENDERSON, Nev. – Alex Raffi, creative director and partner for Imagine Communications, will present “Business Brainstorming with Creative Courage” during the Henderson Chamber of Commerce’s Roadmap to Success workshop from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Henderson Business Resource Center, located at 112 S. Water St. in downtown Henderson’ Water Street District.

During the first half of the workshop, Raffi will discuss how to create an environment conducive to creativity. Brainstorming requires participation from all involved and business leaders will learn to encourage participation and lead a brainstorming session of their own. The second half of the workshop will include a creative team building exercise to test out what was learned during the first half of the workshop.

Raffi has been the creative director and partner for Imagine Communications, a full-service marketing and public relations firm, for the last 13 years. A Nevada Press Association award winner for his illustrations and editorial cartoons, Raffi is an accomplished artist and professional. Creator of Creative Courage, Raffi has presented the workshop to everyone from Foothill High School students to employees at Zappos. Raffi is actively involved in the community as a fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s, committee member for the Narrative Illustration Program at Orange Coast College, a big brother for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and as a mentor and presenter for the Children of the Arts program.

All chamber members and the public are invited to attend. There is no cost for Henderson Chamber members. Cost for non-members is $25. An additional $10 will be charged for walk-in attendees. Breakfast is provided by Marriott Munchables. To reserve a space, visit www.hendersonchamber.com/events by Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The Roadmap to Success Workshop Series covers all aspects of business critical for business owners to understand and properly execute to stay afloat, especially when times are tough. The series began in September and continues through May. It is comprised of 16 workshops covering topics including finance, human resources, law, marketing, and operations, sales and technology.

The workshop series is sponsored by the City of Henderson, Cox Communications and Prism Global Management Group LLC.

The Henderson Business Resource Center is a nonprofit organization under the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundation designed as a business incubator to strengthen and diversify the local economy.

For more information about the Henderson Business Resource Center or the Roadmap to Success Series, visit www.hendersonchamber.com.

Zerka, Fanous join Arab American Heritage board

Professionals’ mission is to serve as leaders for the community’s next generation

FLINT, Mich. – Imagine Communications’ Nadia Zerka and attorney Elias Fanous were named to the board of directors for the Arab American Heritage Council.

Zerka and Fanous, who were sworn in at the organization’s June 12 board meeting, have a passion for Arab-American issues and want to be leaders for the next generation.

Zerka, who serves as client relations manager for Imagine Communications, has more than 10 years of marketing and communications experience. At age 12, she joined her first Arab-American organization and in the years since, held various leadership positions for local and regional groups. She will bring this skill set to the AAHC, where she serves on the marketing and cultural committees.

Fanous graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and returned to Flint to start his own law firm in 2012. Fanous has served on fundraising committees for the AAHC in addition to serving as president of Theta Chi fraternity at University of Michigan, Flint and president of the Student Bar Association at Cooley.

The Arab-American Heritage Council (AAHC) is a non partisan, non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that strives to preserve and celebrate Arabic heritage, as well as support and unite all Arab Americans in the Greater Flint Area. Through a wide range of services and programs serving both Arab American and the community at large, the AAHC works diligently to broaden  understanding about and appreciation of Arabic culture and to encourage and recognize Arab American involvement in the Greater Flint Area community.

For additional information about the AAHC visit aahcflint.org or the group’s Facebook page, facebook.com/groups/86939116119.

Imagine Communications names Carbajal art director

Professional benefits firm’s clients with talents in digital imaging, design layout, illustration, typography, more

HENDERSON, Nev. – Imagine Communications, a full-service marketing and communications firm, has named Cynthia Carbajal art director.

Carbajal has been with the firm for just over a year. Experienced in everything from digital imaging and design layout, to illustration and typography and everything in between, her skills are an excellent fit for the needs of the firm’s local and national clients.
 
Prior to joining the Imagine Communications team, Carbajal served as a graphic designer for MGM Resorts International, where she designed collateral for 13 strip hotel and casinos.

Originally from Utah, Carbajal has lived in Las Vegas since 2000. She earned her bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Las Vegas and has donated her time and talent to designing marketing materials for local nonprofits such as Be the Example.

Established in 2000, Imagine Communications is a full-service marketing and communications firm that provides strategic business planning, public relations, advertising, video production, consulting and government affairs services to clients nationwide. The company’s 12-person team works with a diverse array of clients of all sizes and in industries across the board.

For more information, call 702-837-8996, visit www.weareimagine.com, follow the company on Facebook or Twitter, or check out the company blog or the company online newsroom.