Susan Shelby, CPSM founded Rhino PR and is actively involved with every client. She is supported by an outstanding team of senior professionals whose diverse expertise spans marketing, public relations, research, web development and maintenance, design, and copywriting. Susan also works with a network of exceptionally talented and reliable partners to supplement her team’s expertise and provide her clients with a one-stop resource for all of their needs.

Susan Shelby, CPSM Principal Twitter: @RhinoPRBoston

A Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) with over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and public relations, Susan founded Rhino Public Relations in December 2004. Responding to a growing market need for cost-effective, results-oriented, and smart PR services, the firm focuses its PR program offerings in the A/E/C market. Current clients include Acentech, Environments at Work, GEI Consultants, HMFH Architects, Hobbs Brook Management, Margulies Perruzzi Architects (formerly Margulies & Associates), and Payette.
 
Previously, Susan held the role of Director of Marketing and Business Development for Mount Vernon Group Architects where she oversaw the launch of a new corporate identity for the firm and managed marketing efforts for the firm.

As Director of Corporate Communications with Vanderweil Engineers, Susan spearheaded the company's first PR campaign and performance of all day-to-day communications for the firm’s four offices. 

Prior to joining the A/E/C industry, Susan spent six years managing public relations for a variety of technology companies, both on the agency side and in-house.

While an Account Supervisor at Mullen, she introduced Altiga Networks as a pioneer of a new product category (VPN Concentrator), created and launched the company’s first PR program. The client increased its monthly retainer by 50 percent after nine months under her leadership. For NewsEdge Corporation, she built the company’s reputation following a merger, prepared market for product sales and strengthened connection with all stakeholders. She assisted SAGA Software in establishing credible leadership in the middleware space following its spin-off from parent company and IPO. The client consolidated all PR activity with Mullen and doubled account retainer after six months under her leadership.

As an Account Manager at the Neva Group, Susan served as primary client contact for several high-profile clients and supervised a staff of three. Working with Aptis Communications, she counseled this start-up company on corporate and product positioning, and spearheaded a launch campaign resulting in acquisition. For Cascade Communications, Susan managed media and analyst relations. She developed a campaign and conducted a follow-up image audit that demonstrated above average campaign recall. She rebranded the corporate identity and product category for DAGAZ Technologies and increased leadership positioning in the networking category for VideoServer.

Susan is a past president of the Boston Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS Boston), and served on the Outreach Committee, the Communications Committee and the host committee that organized the 2010 SMPS National Conference (Build Business 2010) held in Boston.

She has served on the Career Preservation Task Force (CPTF) and the communications committee for IFMA Boston. A member of New England Women in Real Estate (NEWIRE), Susan helped handle PR for the 2010 CREW Convention which took place in Boston and is currently Co-Chair of the Communications Committee. Previously, she served on the board of directors of the Publicity Club of New England. She was named one of the "Top 10 PR Specialists" by Women's Business Boston two years in a row.

Susan is president of the board of directors of the Franklin Square House Foundation whose purpose is to support women and families by making bricks and mortar grants for two kinds of projects: the provision of transitional and permanent housing primarily for women, and the support of daycare centers accessible to all. Also, she served as a member of the board of directors of the Child Care Resource Center, supporting the adults who care for our children.

Jennifer Shelby, CPSM Account Director Jennifer and Susan are not directly related. They just happen to share a similar passion for PR, marketing and working with great clients. Twitter: @RhinoPR_Jen

A Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM), Jennifer Shelby has more than twelve years of experience in the architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) industry. Her career has included all aspects of marketing, including proposal and marketing activity coordination, graphic design and desktop publishing, database administration, and public relations writing and account management.

Jeff Lavery Account Manager Twitter: @RhinoPR_Jeff

Jeff Lavery started his career as a journalist for publications like the Poughkeepsie Journal and the Worcester Business Journal before moving in-house at Consigli Construction. Responsible for all corporate communications, Jeff oversaw the firm’s public relations and the content for the web site, marketing collateral and direct mail. His efforts resulted in regional and national press coverage of Consigli projects. Most recently, Jeff worked at the public relations firm Matter Communications where he was responsible for multiple clients.

Michele Spiewak Account Manager Twitter: @RhinoPR_Michele

Michele Spiewak is a public relations and marketing professional with 15 years of experience in the architecture/design and high-tech industries. Prior to joining Rhino PR in 2008, she was senior public relations manager at Art Technology Group (ATG), where she was responsible for corporate communications, customer-centric public relations, and event and trade show publicity. Previously, she held the position of senior account executive at Shandwick International, a high-tech public relations agency where she managed the public relations activities for a variety of high-tech clients. Michele’s professional experience also includes marketing and public relations work for Sasaki Associates, a multidisciplinary architecture and design firm.

Heather Ukstins Special Projects

Heather joined Rhino Public Relations with 10 years of public relations, marketing and writing experience, with more than five years specifically focused in the architecture industry.

Most recently she served as the director of marketing for Margulies Perruzzi Architects (previously Margulies & Associates), where she led the firm’s marketing strategy and implementation.

Tania Buonopane Account Coordinator Twitter: @RhinoPR_Tania

Tania is a communications professional and former English teacher who supports all of Rhino PR’s clients. A graduate of Salem State University, Tania is responsible for coordinating speaking engagements, editorial opportunities, and awards submissions, along with providing a fine eye for proper grammar and style. She also leads research efforts to identify new public relations initiatives for Rhino PR clients. Previously, she helped manage the day-to-day operations of a family business while promoting its latest offerings across various social media platforms.

Barbara Hicks Graphic & Web Specialist Twitter: @BarbHicks508

Barbara has ten years experience with marketing and graphic design in the architecture, engineering, construction, pharmaceutical, financial, and advertising industries, as well as for non-profits. She provides print and web design and maintenance services for Rhino PR, and specializes in identities, logos, proposal design, web design, posters, advertisements, and special event pieces.