State and Federal Communications is very active in our community. I serve on the Board of the Akron Roundtable, a community lunch program who has a mission of “Bringing the World to Akron.” Today, a special program was held featuring Michael Morell, former interim CIA Director, who happens to be from Northeast Ohio. I have asked Team Intern to submit a paragraph about the program.

1. Costa Janos—Sophomore at The Ohio State University—Michael Morell is a local hero to all of us living in Akron, Ohio. He went to Cuyahoga Falls High School and also attended the University of Akron where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Economics. From what he remembers serving as the director of the CIA on September 11, 2001, was very intense as he was briefing President Bush. According to Morell, his list of challengers to the United States are 1) China; 2) Russia; and 3) Middle East. His list of threats to the US are made up of Al–Qaeda and ISIS. The reason he wrote the book was to share with us the amount of time and sacrifice the CIA puts in to help keep our country secure.
2. Sophia Avouris—Freshman at Kent State University–Mr. Morell answered a lot of the questions I had in regards to what exactly was being changed by the Freedom Act and its implications in the surveillance field.  I learned while phone records are available to the government, they are kept by the phone companies and a court order is required for the government to access them.  I was also not aware Al–Qaeda was still considered the biggest threat, as I was under the impression they had lost a lot of their power and their spheres of influence were being taken up by other organizations.  In addition, Morell’s opinion that Snowden was motivated by hubris to be very interesting, and an opinion I have not heard widely discussed in his more recent broadcasts.
3. Nikolas Frazier—Junior at Kent State University—Michael Morell, former CIA Deputy Director, spoke at today’s Akron Roundtable luncheon about his book, The Great War of Our Time. Not only focusing on his book, Morell spoke candidly about his time in the CIA and more specifically, speaking about working as President George W. Bush’s daily briefer and his memory of September 11, 2001. His talk went quickly but all the while was very interesting. I would have liked more time of him especially on his views on North Korea and Iran. Morell also talked about Edward Snowden and attributed his leaking of classified documents as “the greatest loss of secrets in the history of the country.” I look forward to reading the rest of his book.
4. Elizabeth Scozzaro—Junior at Baldwin Wallace—I enjoyed Michael Morell’s words on current events happening in the world. He was a part of the commission that proposed to President Obama to leave monitoring phone calls to the phone companies only. The government can only get phone call data if they have an important reason to ask a phone company for it. Morell also talked about how the TSA recently failed to detect weapons in a passenger screening. He let the audience know the TSA has taken this very seriously and will make improvements. Another current piece of information he shared was mentioning the importance of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills required from younger people who wish to join the CIA in the future.
5. David Jones—Sophomore at Stark State– Michael Morell former C.I.A Deputy Director was the speaker today. The speaker format was question and answer with Brouse McDowell Partner David Hunter interviewing. When Morell was asked what he considered the biggest threat to national security was he replied, “Al–Qaeda”. Which really surprised me considering the media attention on ISIS. He spoke on how the biggest issue concerning ISIS was instability in the Middle East, but the bigger threat to national security was Al–Qaeda because of its resources and connections. He also hauntingly said if Al–Qaeda were to bring down a plane in the US tomorrow it would not surprise him. He spoke at great length on many topics from cyber security to Snowden, and I will be eagerly listening to it again on June 11^th when it airs on WKSU (wksu.org).
6. David Trujillo—Sophomore at the University of Akron—Michael Morell is an informative and magnetic personality. I have absolutely nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the service he has offered to our country. National Security is a hot button topic with myself and many other service people and to listen to Morell’s take on the state of our national security as well as myriad security threats and challenges are both fascinating and at the same time motivating to get involved in the process of protecting the Homeland. He speaks sternly about serious issues but it is not without his own sense of humor. I have enjoyed reading his book so far and would like to extend my gratitude for allowing me to attend this event today.

I think it is important to hear what our young professionals think about issues affecting us. I travel to DC a lot and am always concerned about these issues.

Thank you for taking the time to read about the Akron Roundtable program. Stay tuned, on June 18^th, we will have NPR Morning Edition Host David Greene in Akron.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

@elizabethbartz

Photo of Michael Morell by Nikolas Frazier.

We were excited to see Laura Brelin from United Way of Summit County this morning. Laura dropped by to present a framed “Campaign Excellence Award” to State and Federal Communications.

The awards are presented to those organizations whose employees demonstrate outstanding excellence with at least 75% participation and either $100 per capita in giving or a 35% increase over last year’s campaign. We can proudly say our company had a $724 per capita giving in 2014!

State and Federal Communications is a proud supporter of United Way of Summit County. Aside from working hard each year on our annual campaign, we have had staff participation in the Board of Directors, the Corporate Volunteer Council, Day of Action, and the Corporate Derby Challenge.

Thank you, United Way! We look forward to many years of partnership.

State and Federal Communications is excited to be a sponsor of the Women In Government 18th Annual Western Regional Conference on May 14-16, 2015, in Denver, Colorado.

Take a look at the amazing agenda here.

State and Federal Communications’ Client Specialist Nola Werren was a presenter at the State Legislative Leaders Foundation DC Dialogue: A Conversation about Ethics and Campaigns on May 7, in Washington, D.C.

Werren discussed “The View from the Legal Perspective: What are the Rules?” with Robert Bauer of Perkins-Coie LLP, former White House Counsel to President Obama.

Congratulations, Nola!

State and Federal Communications is excited to be a sponsor of the Women in Government Relations (WGR) Spring Reception: Celebrating 40 Years of Advancing and Empowering Women on May 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Connect with our compliance experts Nola Werren, Rebecca South, and Gamble Hayden at this premiere event.

We are always looking for ways to support the work of WGR, such as sponsoring the Friday Forecast and the WGR Empowerment Network.

Amber Fish Linke, Director of Client and Product Operations at State and Federal Communications, will be offering her expert advice for the Public Affairs Council webinar The Do’s and Don’ts of State-Level Compliance on May 7, at 2:00 p.m.

The program will cover how to remain compliant with pay-to-play, campaign finance, lobbying, PAC management, and procurement laws in the 50 states.

State and Federal Communications is proud to be a sponsor of the WKSU John Hockenberry event, which is coming to Akron and Kent on May 7! The award-winning journalist and host of The Takeaway will be appearing at WKSU for the morning broadcast of the radio program and at the Actors’ Summit in Akron at 7:30 p.m.

Here is our May calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello!

April 27, 2015   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

May 6, 2015   WGR Spring Reception at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC

May 7, 2015   State Legislative Leaders Foundation’s DC Dialogue: A Conversation about Ethics and Campaigns, Washington, DC

May 7, 2015   John Hockenberry at WKSU, Akron, Ohio

May 11, 2015   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

May 12, 2015   Go Red for Women, Akron, Ohio

May 14-16, 2015   Women in Government – Western Regional Conference, Denver, Colorado

June 4-6, 2015   NCSL Executive Committee Spring Meeting, Denver, Colorado

More than 26,000 Summit County (Ohio) residents and their families turn to the ADM (Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health) Board for treatment and support. The care runs through their lifespan: from services and programs for toddlers to older adults. ADM provides preventive and treatment services, housing support, employment assistance, transportation, respite, peer support, recreation, and education services.

How does State and Federal Communications, Inc. help ADM? We contribute annually to its ADM Recovery Challenge 5K. The campaign helps raise money for when ADM has to go to the ballot and ask the Summit County voters to vote to support the levy. The State of Ohio allows the County Board of Elections to charge the groups going on the ballots so ADM needs to raise even more money.

Why am I bringing this up? Because your county has some form of an ADM program helping those who cannot help themselves. The road to recovery is challenged by many obstacles. In recognizing the challenges of recovery, ADM provides this obstacle course for fun competition for athletes of all ages and abilities. The obstacles included in this race course metaphorically represent the challenges persons often face during the process of recovery from an addition or mental health condition.

There are always ways to help in your own community. Help those less fortunate. It is amazing how appreciative the group is towards your involvement. Until next month, make a change for yourself and for your community.

Thank you,
Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

We are excited to be a Gold Sponsor of the Public Affairs Council Spring Executive Meeting 2015 this week in Washington, D.C.!

It was a big day for the United Way of Summit County and State and Federal Communications had a big presence at the event. Many of our team were there to celebrate another record-breaking campaign. Elizabeth Bartz, our president and CEO was among the Board Members being honored as they finish their 6 years of amazing service, and she addressed the crowd on their behalf.

For the seventh year in a row, State and Federal Communications received an award for “Highest Per Employee Corporate Giving” in the category of 49 and fewer employees. We love the United Way of Summit County and look forward to more opportunities to Live United!