Connected where it counts.

Our knowledge and relationships run deep. We are the only firm in the country that boasts a former gubernatorial press secretary and a former White House correspondent and AP bureau chief.

We are public affairs pros. Certified crisis counselors. Issues management experts. Media and digital strategists. No one has more – and more relevant – experience.

Our Team

Our team opens doors to business leaders, policymakers, power brokers and respected media outlets to drive your story throughout Michigan and beyond.

John Bailey

Business Strategist

After growing John Bailey & Associates into one of the largest and most respected public relations firms in Michigan, John joined the TR team in 2015. He served clients in the automotive, health care, professional services, retail and public affairs segments for decades and brings deep expertise and insight to the firm.

Cathie Blumer

Personal Assistant to the CEO

If you rely on John Truscott’s expert counsel, you will probably meet Cathie Blumer. By phone, email or text she will smooth the way for John and the Truscott Rossman team to meet your needs.

Chad Cyrowski

Director of Digital Media

Chad is a gifted storyteller and can help you tell the right story to the right audience at the right time – all to achieve specific, concrete objectives for your business or organization. He works on many statewide projects, boosting client visibility.

Sharon Emery

Senior Consultant

Sharon approaches each project with the same mission: make every word count! A seasoned journalist and writer, she has more than 20 years of experience in covering government and business news. Sharon draws on her extensive journalism career to assist clients in reaching the right reporters and editors at the right time.

Farah Fayz, MA

Account Executive

Farah Fayz returned to Truscott Rossman in 2022 as an account executive, after having interned with our firm in 2020. She applies her writing expertise and background in diverse industries to support a wide range of clients. She focuses on using interpersonal communications to build meaningful relationships that help our clients connect with their communities.

Ron Fournier

Senior Advisor

After leading Truscott Rossman as president through a five-year period of growth and transition, Ron now devotes his energy to high-level client strategies and storytelling. With Michigan roots and national reach, he serves major corporations, government agencies, and philanthropic groups.

Lindsay Hart

Director of Corporate and Executive Communications

Lindsay is poetry in motion. Her video and graphic design skills help TR tell powerful visual stories for our clients. She is a superb writer who will work around the clock for a client.

Kate Kelly

Senior Account Executive

Kate is a skilled, strategic communicator with experience in Democratic political campaigns, local and international labor unions, and agency work.

Nina Knauf

Senior Account Executive

Nina is a skilled and dynamic digital storyteller with experience across automotive, political campaigns, healthcare systems, nonprofits and small businesses. 

Kate Lauderbaugh

Director of Corporate Communications

Kate’s passion lies in captivating storytelling, which she conveys through print, digital and lens-based media. Her expertise in public relations, team leadership, project management and relationship building complement her skills as a storyteller.

Amy A. LeFebre

Senior Director, West Michigan

Amy is a public relations powerhouse with nearly three decades of corporate, nonprofit and agency experience. Whether her clients need counsel in a crisis or in announcing their next big initiative, they trust her to get the job done right. She is a certified crisis counselor and, in 2017, was recognized as the Public Relations Professional of the Year by the West Michigan chapter of PRSA.

Rachel LePoudre, MS, APR

Director of Digital Media

Rachel holds a national APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) and has more than a decade of corporate, nonprofit and agency experience. She integrates sound digital and social media strategy into her public relations work and is sharply focused on staying abreast of the latest trends to help clients navigate new proven tactics into their initiatives.

Mikayla Lier

Chief of Staff to the CEO

Mikayla Lier joined the Truscott Rossman team in February of 2022 as the chief of staff to the CEO, John Truscott. From scheduling to business development, Mikayla has always been a go-to individual.

Ellen Monti

Office Coordinator

From managing the phones to juggling calendars and tracking projects, Ellen helps keep Truscott Rossman’s account team on track.

Davi Murray

Senior Account Executive

Davi Murray joined Truscott Rossman in 2021 as a recent graduate of Central Michigan University. In her position as senior account executive in the firm’s Detroit office, she uses her broad skill set in public relations, advertising and integrated marketing to support a wide range of clients. 

Josh Pugh

Senior Director, Public Affairs

Josh is a talented, creative communicator with over a decade of experience in a wide variety of roles at a wide variety of organizations in Michigan Democratic and progressive circles.

Kelly Rossman-McKinney, APR

Founder, In Memoriam

"Don’t be a member of ANYTHING in name only. Step up, speak up, act up, give of yourself – your time, your money, your name, your support." - Kelly Rossman-McKinney

Kylie Rydjord

Account Executive

Kylie transitioned from intern to full-time account executive at Truscott Rossman in January 2023 after earning a Bachelor of Applied Arts in integrative public relations with a minor in event management -- and after proving herself as a skilled, insightful and well-grounded member of our team.

Crystal Taylor

Senior Account Executive

Crystal is a strategic communicator with a strong background in healthcare, corporate and agency work and a love for all things digital. She enjoys becoming an extension of her clients’ teams and strives to deeply understand their “why” to help advance their communications goals.

Chris Tippett

Operations and Strategy Officer

Chris manages Truscott Rossman’s financial and operational needs to ensure our PR team has the resources they need to serve our clients.

Jeff Tippett

Chief Operating Officer

Responsible for TR’s “back of house,” Jeff brings more than 40 years of business development, HR and financial management experience to the firm. Skilled at strategic planning and business expansion strategies, Jeff is committed to providing high quality services to our clients.
John started his own public relations firm after serving as director of communications and press secretary to Michigan Gov. John Engler. In 2011, he merged his firm with the Rossman Group, creating Michigan’s most respected public relations firm. John was named the most effective public affairs professional in the 2019 and 2021 MIRS/EPIC- MRA survey of Capitol insiders.

Allie Walker, MA

President

As president, Allie leads Truscott Rossman’s day-to-day operations, ensuring firm-wide excellence and creativity. She supports local, statewide and national clients with integrated strategies and client service management, plus an attention to detail and knack for organization that earns her accolades from colleagues and clients, alike.

John Whetstone

Director of Public Affairs

A gifted storyteller and advocate with more than 25 years experience working with Republican lawmakers in the Michigan House of Representatives, John created and implemented effective communications plans for some of the state’s most groundbreaking public policy initiatives. With keen insight, he delivers sound strategic counsel and messaging and effectively communicates with a variety of stakeholders to help clients reach goals.

Truscott Rossman Diversity Statement

Truscott Rossman is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace that values diverse talent. Our company is driven by authentic ideas and by the passion to elevate our profession, our colleagues, our communities and the clients we represent. Those principles should be reflected in all that we do. As storytellers and communications counselors, it is important that we value and amplify the unique voices and experiences of our team. Only then will we cultivate an environment that empowers all employees to deliver the most innovative and highest quality services to our clients and our communities.