Through the Noise

13 million students attend the nearly 1,200 community colleges that are part of the American Association of Community Colleges -- and their positive impact is felt by the communities that are improved by their education. As SVP of Public Relations, Martha Parham communicates the benefits available to those considering an associate's degree. An increase in apprenticeship and workforce training programs plus the skills from a two-year degree can help set these students up for life.

Maybe you're not thinking about SARS or Zika but the people of the public health labs are constantly working to keep you safe from them. And they are represented by the Association of Public Health Laboratories. We've invited Scott Becker, their Executive Director to the show to chat about their work. Their members are on the front lines dealing with infections that we know and those that we don't. They've recently launched a podcast called "Lab Culture" and are experimenting with ways to communicate.

After Dave McCurdy’s tenure in Congress, he was CEO for a couple of other associations before accepting the role he has today -- President and CEO of the American Gas Association. The AGA has been around for nearly a century and will be celebrating the 100-year mark in 2018. They represent over 200 energy companies that deliver natural gas throughout the US. They are governed by a board of 46 CEOs from companies around the country. Half of their staff of 85 has been at the AGA for more than 20 years.

Do you know which fonts you should never use when making a professional presentation? Find out during our conversation with writer and educator Jonathan Rick. He's the president of The Jonathan Rick Group, a digital marketing agency offering ghostwriting services that create thought leadership. With a background in journalism, Jonathan Rick also teaches business writing workshops and university classes.

For 30 years Community Lodgings in Alexandria, VA has been helping local families out of homelessness by providing a variety of critical and stabilizing services, helping their clients into affordable housing. Beyond housing, they also help with financial and other educational opportunities for their client families. We speak with their Executive Director, Lynn Thomas and their communications consultant, Jane Collins. Collins was previously a member of the Community Lodgings staff.

The numbers are going up all the time and right now one in four Americans listen to podcasts. Even if you're one of the other three, it's time you start thinking about how podcasts can help you communicate with your current and potential members. Today's guest is Steven Valley, the CIO of the United Motorcoach Association, and they've recently launched a podcast to reach their diverse membership. Join us as we talk about the lessons they've learned along the way.

Healthcare and healthcare access are a constant debate in the United States and we've invited Mary Ellen Kleiman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to chat with us about the role pharmacies play in healthcare. Representing the legal affairs department of NACDS, Mary Ellen Kleiman manages a different role than many of our guests. She emphasizes the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system because they are one of the easiest members of the health community to access.

We're excited to welcome Dennis Goris back to the show today. He's the President and Creative Director of Goris Communications and helps nonprofits tell their story and refine their branding and messaging. Trying to raise money for your cause? Make sure your elevator is on-point. Trying to redefine your mission? An outside perspective can ensure it's succinct and coherent. It's important to tell your story, tell it well, and tell it in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd.

No one ever thinks about air conditioning until it's not working -- that's what our guest Paul Stalknecht of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America says. They represent 4000 member companies that work in residential and commercial air conditioning. The average age of the people working the technical jobs in HVAC are 50+ and so most will be retiring soon -- leaving the industry wide open for those who are interested in learning a trade that doesn't require a four-year degree and a boatload of debt.

Shawn Boynes is the Executive Director of the American Association of Anatomists, one of the oldest scientific societies in the United States. Since 1888 the AAA has been a resource for researchers and educators around the world who work in the field of anatomy. The organization is at a crossroads and coming to terms with a name that does not fully reflect the potential members that they could serve. Other names may appeal to their broader audience: all those working in the field of anatomy.

Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of the Human Resource Certification Institute joins us to discuss recent HR changes and why certified human resources personnel are so critical to a well-functioning organization. The HRCI produces a new certification test every year to verify workers' skills and knowledge. With the advent of applicant screening technologies, the process of recruiting has become quicker so there are more opportunities for those in human resources to work directly with the people in their company.

"The rapid loss of so many senior officers has a serious, immediate, and tangible effect on the capacity of the United States to shape world events," according to today's guest, Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, President of the American Foreign Service Association. We had the opportunity to sit down with her to talk about the work of AFSA which is the "voice of the foreign service" and the professional association for diplomats.

Did you know 33 million Americans see chiropractors each year? The American Chiropractic Association is the professional organization for practitioners of chiropractic medicine and represents 10,500 doctors and students. We've invited their Executive VP, in charge of the operations of the organization, Karen Silberman to the show. The ACA has been around since 1922 and plays a critical role in advocating for the profession on the hill.

Our population is aging, our health care system is crumbling, and our transportation system often isolates people who can no longer drive. Enter Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels makes it possible for people to remain independent and stay in their own homes by helping those who are unable to travel to grocery stores or prepare their own meals. With a paid staff of 100,000 (!) across the country and more than 2 MILLION VOLUNTEERS, Meals on Wheels is a massive operation.

With technology moving so quickly these days, it's easy to make changes to websites, campaigns, and programs at the click of a button. But that ease can also create complications and allow for the implementation of unvetted ideas so we've invited Merrill Shugoll to the show to talk about her expertise in market research.