June 11, 2012 •
Honoring the Graduates
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church holds annual spring event for its students
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, was recently the master of ceremonies for a parish banquet recognizing the achievements of the church’s recent graduates. The event was held on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, Ohio.
The keynote speaker for the banquet was Dr. Lester Lefton, President of Kent State University.
June 4, 2012 •
“We’re Walking” Update
Teams race to accumulate most steps, compete for grand prize
After dividing into three teams of nine, State and Federal Communications employees worked up a sweat, completing four weeks of the “We’re Walking” program.
The Myra Texas Walkers took the lead in the first week, successfully reaching 655,040 steps.
Team Winner proved worthy of its name after placing a victory in the second week by walking 607,187 steps. Team leader Jim Warner acknowledged the intended line of attack behind Team Winner’s sudden success.
“My strategy can be summarized in two words: sneak attack,” Warner said. “I knew Myra and Joe May would disregard Team Winner and become too confident. Team Winner started slowly, but we have tried to increase our steps each week.”
In retaliation, Team Happy Feet strode past its opponents in the third week by reaching 678,969 steps.
“We shall outpace them on the beaches, we shall outpace them on the landing grounds, we shall outpace them in the fields and in the streets; we shall never surrender,” Happy Feet team leader Joe May announced.
Although all three teams are striving for the win, Team Winner took the most steps in the fourth week, accumulating 781,808 steps.
With only two weeks of the competition left, team members are eagerly setting aside time to improve their scores.
“We’re treating this like a marathon, not a sprint,” Myra Cottrill, leader of the Myra Texas Walkers said. “Team Winner and Happy Feet may be in the lead, but I know our steady week-to-week improvements will result in a decisive victory.”
The competition rises as team members find themselves neck and neck on their way toward the finish line. To provide more motivation, Elizabeth Bartz is upping the stakes by offering a bigger prize to the winning team.
Stay tuned for more details as the competition heats up!
Selected as one of the top women-owned businesses in Ohio – and the only Akron Company recognized in the top 50 !
With the leadership of President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz, State and Federal Communications, Inc. was selected as one of the top women-owned businesses in Ohio. This is the fourth year the company has received this honor.
The award from the web-based publisher and business site, DiversityBusiness.com selected the company for its overall leadership and economic achievements, ranking 49th of 100 Women-owned businesses in Ohio in 2011.
Bartz and the company also won the award in 2007, 2009, and 2010.
“This is a testament to the hard work of our 30 employees and their willingness to adapt to change and meet the challenges of a competitive marketplace,” said Bartz. “I am very happy we are recognized by Diversity.Business.com.”
Congratulations to Elizabeth Bartz and to everyone at State and Federal Communications!
May 3, 2012 •
A Great Week in April!
Here are a few pictures from recent events.
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, IT Executive Director Ren Koozer, and Social Media Coordinator Joe May attended Campaigns and Elections’ CampaignTech Conference 2012 on April 19-20 in Washington, D.C.
On the very next morning Elizabeth Bartz, Compliance Associate Jim Warner, and Joe May participated in Kent State’s Fourth Annual National Alumni Day of Service. We were put to the task of washing dishes at Akron’s Haven of Rest rescue mission. Let’s hear it for the Kent State Alumni!
May 2, 2012 •
State and Federal Staff Celebrate Anniversaries
Best wishes to those amazing people
It was a happy time at our staff meeting yesterday as we celebrated the anniversaries of five employees! We recognized Nola Werren for 15 years of service, Nicolette Koozer for 11 years, Jeff Roberts for nine years, Steve Quinn for two years, and Sarah Kovit for one year. Our warmest congratulations to each of you.
As a special token of appreciation, Elizabeth Bartz presented Nola Werren with an American flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol. The flag was received through the office of U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton.
May 1, 2012 •
State and Federal’s May Photo Scrapbook
Here are some fun pictures from the SGAC Annual Meeting in Boston.
April 30, 2012 •
We’re Walking!
State and Federal Communications has started a walking challenge.
Certainly you have heard about the recommendation that each of us should be taking 10,000 steps every day for our health. As part of its wellness program, State and Federal Communications is taking up the challenge and today we kick off our “We’re Walking” program.
We have divided into three teams and for six weeks we will walk in the morning, at lunchtime, and after work – whenever we can. At the end of the six weeks, we will see which team has walked the most steps. The winners will receive bragging rights, of course, and a few prizes.
Good luck to all of the participants!
April 27, 2012 •
State and Federal Communications Receives United Way Awards
Campaign Chair’s Award and Highest Per Employee Corporate Giving Award
The United Way of Summit County held their 2012 Annual Meeting at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio on Wednesday, April 25. After a very successful 2011 campaign, State and Federal Communications received two awards in recognition of its efforts.
Along with nine other organizations, the company was given the Campaign Chair Award. According to the United Way, this award was “presented to organizations for extraordinary achievement, outstanding increases and successful first-time campaigns.”
State and Federal Communications also received the “Highest Per Employee Corporate Giving Award” in the category of a company with 49 or fewer employees.
Thank you United Way of Summit County. We are thrilled to be a part of the amazing work you do each year. And thank you to everyone here at State and Federal Communications for their generous effort to make our campaign a success!
April 17, 2012 •
Elizabeth Bartz at the National Summit on Strategic Communications
Speaking on advocacy and outreach
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, was a presenter at the National Summit on Strategic Communications in Washington, D.C. yesterday.
The session was “Lobbying and Advocacy: Winning Strategies for Changing Times.” According to the conference agenda, the discussion consisted of the following:
“Thousands of political players, representing various causes, lobby on issues through diverse and fluid factions. Some research suggests that these factions often cancel each other out and prevent disruptive swings in public policy. Yet, this is no reason for organizations to step away from political involvement. As agencies and governments struggle with growing needs for services and large budget cuts, companies will be expected to play an even greater role in addressing society’s problems and advocating for solutions.”
The panel featured Elizabeth Bartz and Story Partners Chairperson Gloria Story Dittus, and was moderated by Tim Flaherty, Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton.
April 12, 2012 •
Our Own Cavs Honorary Captain for a Day!
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, was the Honorary Captain at Tuesday’s Cleveland Cavaliers game! We are quite certain the Cavs won that game…because Elizabeth shook Antawn Jamison’s hand!
April 5, 2012 •
Your Lobbyist Compliance Experts
The mission of State and Federal Communications is to make sure that your organization can say, “I Comply.”
We are the leading authority and exclusive information source on legislation and regulations surrounding campaign finance and political contributions; state, federal, and municipal lobbying; and procurement lobbying.
Contact us to learn how conveniently our services will allow you to say “I Comply” for your compliance activities.
Be sure to visit stateandfed.com and if you have any questions, you can contact us at 330-761-9960, or info@stateandfed.com.
April 4, 2012 •
State and Federal April Photo Scrapbook
Enjoy this picture from the Public Affairs Council Grassroots Conference:
March 30, 2012 •
See Us in Person!
Take a look at our April and May calendar. Say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
April 15-17, 2012 NASPO 2012 – How to Market to State Governments Meeting, Orlando, Florida
April 16-17, 2012 National Summit on Strategic Communications, Washington, D.C.
April 17-18, 2012 Public Affairs Council Spring Executive Board Meeting, Washington, D.C.
April 19, 2012 Kent State University, Washington Program in National Issues, Washington, D.C.
April 19-20, 2012 Campaigns & Elections Tech Conference, Washington, D.C.
April 27-29, 2012 Greek American Foundation – National Innovation Conference, New York, NY
May 2-4, 2012 Ohio State Bar Association Annual Convention, Cincinnati, OH
May 17-20, 2012 CSG Spring Leadership Conference, LaQuinta, CA
May 21-23, 2012 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit, Washington, D.C.
March 27, 2012 •
State and Federal Communications’ Expansion
A note from President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz
As I am sitting here in my office, movers are taking computers, desks, phones, credenzas, and printers upstairs at 80 South Summit. It’s an expansion and not a move for State and Federal Communications.
A year ago I thought this would be moving week out of the building, but we were able to take over available space after a Cleveland law firm downsized its Akron office. That’s good for a lot of reasons including letterhead and business cards stay the same.
State and Federal Communications will soon celebrate its 19th anniversary in Akron, Ohio. We started on Akron-Peninsula Road in a 900 square foot office. In 1996, we moved to Merriman Road where I thought the 3,500 square foot office would be home for a long, long time. We grew out of it and in 2002 we moved to Downtown Akron in the Courtyard Square building and now have 15,000 square feet of space. According to building developers, that amount of space can hold 50 staff people. We are almost there with 30 people on staff.
This expansion is allowing State and Federal Communications to increase our staff to help all of our clients. The changes in lobbying, political contributions, ethics, and procurement lobbying are changing all of the time in the states, cities, counties, and federal governments. Keeping up with it requires people devoted to research and understanding how they affect you—our clients.
You might not see changes, but I want you to know we are always making sure we are providing you with the resources you need for your government affairs work.
Until next month, stay off the eBay Political Collectibles site…I have wall space to cover!
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
