LANSING – Credit the clairvoyance of the Department of Public Health for some clear-headed thinking.
That was 25 years ago, when Kelly Rossman went into business on her own after having worked for Gov. James Blanchard and in both the Michigan House and Senate. That first contract – courtesy of the health department’s Janet Olszewski and Raj Weiner – helped launch one of the capital city’s most successful public relations and strategic communications careers.
And it’s far from over.
“The more you get, the more you give is an adage that never gets old,” Rossman-McKinney said. “This business has been good to me, and I want to return the favor for a few more years … at least.”
Rossman-McKinney celebrated her silver anniversary Friday afternoon amid a gathering of colleagues, clients and well-wishers at Truscott Rossman headquarters on the eighth floor of the Boji Tower.
Rossman-McKinney’s business partner of two-plus years, John Truscott, issued the first of many salutations Friday saying, “Without a doubt, Kelly is Lansing’s best-known and most-accomplished communications expert. Every single year it’s unanimous: She’s the best around at message delivery and communications strategy.
“Around here, we learn something new every day. We’ve got a high bar at Truscott Rossman and Kelly sets it higher every day. Nobody works harder to get the job done for clients than she does.”
Rossman-McKinney, who pioneered issue management in Lansing and continues to pursue cutting edge work in public relations, is a certified crisis communicator, a nationally accredited public relations counselor (APR), and a member of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) distinguished College of Fellows — one of only three in Michigan.
She also chairs the Michigan Chamber Foundation and serves on several other boards, including the Michigan Political Leadership Program and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. She meets often with members of the Michigan State University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, advising and mentoring dozens of PR students every semester as one of the chapter’s professional advisers.
“So many people have helped along the way – Paula Blanchard Stone, the late, great Ned Hubbell, Patty Lloyd Barnas and Will Coultas – too many to mention. And I’m thankful for all of them,” said Rossman-McKinney. “My family has been so supportive, the TR team is a great bunch to work with … and we’re not finished yet!”
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