Throughout his more than two decades as an award-winning journalist and public relations executive, Roger has been recognized as one of Michigan’s best communicators and has distinguished himself as a researcher, writer, strategist and tactician of integrity and high quality.

Roger earned a bachelors degree in journalism from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1981. After interning at The Detroit News Lansing Bureau, the paper hired Roger directly out of college to cover the southwest Detroit suburbs collectively known as Downriver. He was then dispatched back to The News Lansing Bureau, where he served for eight years as a reporter and eventually Bureau Chief.

At The News, he won many awards for writing and reporting — including being named Michigan's Best Reporter in 1986 by a Detroit magazine, and three times being nominated by The News for a Pulitzer Prize. He also co-authored "The Journey of John Engler," a 1990 book about then-state Sen. John Engler's upset of heavily favored incumbent Gov. James J. Blanchard. He appeared as a journalist commentator on radio and TV political and issue programs across the state.

In 1991, Roger left The News to become president and minority partner at the Lansing-based public relations firm of Rossman Martin & Associates. At RM&A, Roger specialized in advocacy communication, community relations, media relations, and crisis communications. He became nationally accredited in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

During his 13 years in public relations, Roger has won numerous regional and national awards for public relations excellence. In 1996 while with Rossman Martin, his firm won two Silver Anvils, the nation's top public relations award. Roger was the lead researcher and strategist for one of the winning campaigns. In 1998, Roger was again a finalist for a Silver Anvil for his work on behalf of Greektown Casino in Detroit. He has won “Best of Show” in the PRSA Mid-Michigan chapter Pace Awards contest. He was also named “Pacemaker of the Year” in 2001 by PRSA Mid-Michigan.

 

Advocacy Campaign Achievements

• Developed, opened and helped to manage the world-class Greektown Casino in Detroit.


• Helped pass Proposal E in 1996, which abolished a state law prohibiting casino gaming in Michigan and permitted three casinos in Detroit.


• Handled Greektown Casino’s media and public relations services for the $200 million temporary facility since its grand opening. A more luxurious permanent $400 million Greektown Casino will be constructed in the near future.


• Spearheaded advocacy campaign for medical malpractice/tort reform legislation in 1992, stabilizing Michigan’s medical liability marketplace and attracting physicians in high-risk specialties to remain in the state.


• Teamed with the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Michigan State Medical Society and Michigan Osteopathic Association to successfully prevent $900 million in state health care spending cuts for Michigan hospitals in late 2003.


• Oversaw media response efforts following 2001 explosion of a Flint-area nursing home that killed multiple patients and workers, attracting national media attention. Roger public relations response on behalf of the owner won a top Crystal Award for crisis communications from PRSA’s Mid-Michigan chapter.


• Coordinated the launch of the Health Care Association of Michigan’s Consumer Guide to Michigan Nursing Homes in the 1990s, a comprehensive source of information on nursing home care and consumer satisfaction.


• Helped Motorola win the largest contract in Michigan history. In the early 1990s, the Michigan Department of State Police accepted Motorola’s bid to replace the state’s 1940s-era public safety radio system. The system – the Michigan Public Safety Communications System – continues to perform nearly flawlessly. And Motorola continues to turn to Roger for public relations support in Michigan.