With a broad base of experience in health care and education, among his 17-year career, Joel has helped turn a feminine medical device into a hot consumer brand, led an integrated market visibility campaign for a publicly traded wellness company, helped a local assisted care facility through a major media crisis, and re-branded a prominent social services nonprofit, among his successes at Risdall. His work touches health care clients such as Allina Health System, Baxter Worldwide, Buyer’s Healthcare Action Group, GoGirl, Healthways, Metro Dentalcare, the Minnesota Hospital Association, SurModics, and more. Other clients include Northwestern College, Northwest Youth & Family Services, Rethink Recycling, and a host of education and government-related entities.
Prior to joining RPR in mid-2007, Joel led strategic public relations for several areas of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, where he was involved in the launch and promotion of such notable brand initiatives as the “do.” campaign, Fitness Fever, and Champions of Health, as well as national efforts around the dawning of disease management, launch of consumer-driven health plans, and consumerism in the health care marketplace. Joel previously led internal communications and media relations for Bethel University, where he launched the university’s intranet and first strategic media relations plan. Before that he coordinated the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program — including a National Teacher of the Year winner — among his outreach for Education Minnesota, the state’s teachers union.
Joel shares his passion for strategic communications as an adjunct professor at St. Cloud State University and in various leadership roles in PRSA and volunteer/nonprofit organizations. He earned his accreditation in public relations in 2000, and has earned numerous awards for his work, including IABC Bronze Quills, MAGC Awards of Excellence, MSPRA Campaign of the Year, PRSA Classics, WICI Crystal Clarions, as well as industry-specific honors. Joel currently serves on boards of directors for Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest, Irondale Baseball League, Irondale Youth Hockey Association, and more. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, public relations sequences and a bachelor’s degree in business management at St. Cloud State University in 1994. Joel earned a master’s degree in Christian thought from Bethel Seminary in 2002. He resides in Shoreview with his wife and four sons.