News Release
March 7th, 2011
Contact: Lu Ann Stoia, 614-273-9259 mobile luann@steinerstrategy.com
COLUMBUS, OHIO—Connect. Communicate. Succeed. The Steiner Strategy Group announces the launch of a high-performance communications and public affairs firm uniquely qualified to deliver powerful results.
Leading the Columbus-based firm, Curt Steiner is well known in business, government, media, and higher education circles. Steiner says his boutique firm will offer a unique blend of experience and skill to a select group of blue-chip clients.
Steiner recently stepped down after more than six years as senior vice president at The Ohio State University. “In addition to a deep knowledge of public higher education in Ohio, I have a 30-year track record advising top statewide public officials and successfully managing some contentious issues,” Steiner said. “My two very seasoned associates and I will bring clients decades of successful engagement in the public affairs and communications arenas—no second stringers here. We are uniquely able to help clients communicate powerfully and effectively.”
The Steiner Strategy Group offers senior strategic counsel, public and media relations, issues and reputation management, crisis communications, public affairs engagement, and event coordination.
Steiner will be joined by Communications Director Lu Ann Stoia and Public Affairs Director Suzanne Whisler. Stoia, a long-time broadcast journalist, was an Emmy Award-winning news reporter for WBNS TV and News Director for Clear Channel Radio in Columbus. She also served as Director of Community Relations for New Albany-Plain Local School District. Whisler has previously worked for three Columbus-based government affairs firms. Whisler has also served in administrative positions for two Ohio Governors. Most recently she worked on the successful campaign of Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor as the Court’s Chief Justice.
Steiner himself served as a senior vice president at Ohio State under two presidents, leading the university’s efforts in communications and government relations. Prior to coming to Ohio State in 2004, he headed Steiner/Lesic Communications and HMS Success Public Relations, with a clientele that included Ohio State, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, Ohio Business Roundtable, AT&T, Nationwide Insurance Company, Goodrich Corporation, UBS, ACS State & Local Solutions, Ohio Municipal League, Inter-University Council, and the Ohio Telecom Association. Steiner led coalitions with members including The Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, the University of Cincinnati, OhioHealth, Mt. Carmel Health System and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Earlier, Steiner served as Chief of Staff, Communications Director and chief political strategist for Ohio Governor and Senator George Voinovich and Chief of Staff to Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson. Steiner has been a senior advisor to many other government leaders, including Senator Rob Portman, Attorney General Mike DeWine, Congressman Steve LaTourette, and Congressman Patrick Tiberi, as well as numerous other members of the Ohio General Assembly and the state and federal judiciary.
“We look forward enthusiastically to developing and implementing winning strategies for our clients during this dynamic period of Ohio’s history,” Steiner said. The Steiner Strategy Group is already working with clients. Our offices will open in early March, located across from the Ohio Statehouse at 88 East Broad Street, Suite1220. www.steinerstrategygroup.com