Advisory Board

AMCP programs are administered by an Advisory Board. Each board member contributes a specific real world expertise that enhances the knowledge of the board as a whole. Board members participate in and oversee judging, and help establish the goals and direction of the organization.

Ed Dalheim

Dalheim Communications

A 30-year veteran of all aspects of marketing and communication, Ed Dalheim is the director of AMCP and oversees the day-to-day operation of the organization. Ed's vast experience includes work as vice president of a major public relations firm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, corporate communication practitioner, political consultant, Dallas television reporter/anchor, radio sportscaster, and newspaper columnist. His agency duties range from writing and design of collateral materials, to media relations, to strategic communications.

Past and present marketing and communication clients include Waste Management, Comerica Bank, 7-11, State of Texas, SMU School of Law, numerous state and local politicians and environmental and real estate concerns.

As a media consultant and video producer, Ed performed a variety of functions for high profile clients like Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright, Texas House Speaker Gib Lewis and Southern Methodist University.

Ed is a winner of numerous industry awards, is a longtime member of IABC, PRSA and a former judge in Addy, Bronze Quill and Silver Anvil competitions. Ed is active in the community and regularly donates his time and skills to organizations such as American Cancer Society, YMCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Mission Arlington and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Mike Stern

Writer/Communication Consultant

Mike Stern is an award-winning writer, teacher, communication consultant, former public relations executive and community volunteer. With over 25 years in the communications industry, Mike has a broad background in corporate and free-lance work with extensive experience in banking and real estate.

Mike is also a highly regarded communications instructor and is a judge in a variety of communication competitions.

Mike has a long history of volunteering and working with nonprofits in their marketing and communication efforts. He currently gives his time to the Little Elm Area Food Bank and the YMCA. His corporate, volunteer and nonprofit experiences prepared him for his role as director of the Communitas Awards.

Steve Narisi

Media Consultant

A versatile, 4-time Emmy award winning broadcast and communication veteran, Steve Narisi is a key administrator of AMCP. Steve's experience ranges from network news staffer, to corporate communication consultant, to college lecturer.

Steve spent most of the past two decades traveling the world as a NBC Network News staff producer and contributing producer to ABC Network News. Internationally, Steve worked for BBC, SAT-!/N-24 German Television and NHK Japanese network. In addition, he produced and wrote numerous documentaries for PBS and commercial television stations and created programming on cable networks like National Geographic Television and The Discovery Channel.

As a broadcast journalist Steve produced and reported on 9-11, the Oklahoma City bombing, forests fires, national trials, earthquakes in Turkey, humanitarian aid drops over Afghanistan, refugee camps in Pakistan, terrorist cells in the Philippines, and MIA's in Vietnam. He was an embedded journalist during the invasion of Iraq during "Operation Enduring Freedom" and produced live events for ABC Nightline and WNBC-TV in New York.

As a corporate communication consultant, Steve has worked for such companies as American Airlines, Newell-Rubbermaid, Volunteer Hospitals of America, Belz Enterprises (Peabody Hotels) and Markel Insurance. Steve is a frequent guest lecturer for college journalism classes.

Henry Saine

Core Pictures

A member of the Directors Guild of America, Henry Saine is a veteran director/cameraman with an international client list. Henry oversees the administration of AMCP's video entries and uses his experience and contacts in the video industry to select judges.

For more than 20 years, Henry has worked with the most recognized businesses and nonprofit associations in their industries, and produced thousands of films, television commercials, corporate and independent documentaries and interactive works. Henry's award winning company Core Pictures recently produced and shot more than 180 corporate documentaries for Broad News Corp., filming throughout North and South America. The projects aired on MSNBC.

In 2006, Core Pictures produced six films for the American Heart Association for worldwide viewing by hospitals, businesses and individuals. Working with a $2.5 million budget and a cast of more than 150 actors and over 1,000 pages of script, the project was shot in more than 40 locations.

Core Pictures' past and ongoing clients include BBDO, Bozell Worldwide, The Richards Group, J. Walter Thompson, Blockbuster Video, Broadcast News Corp., Frito-Lay (Pepsico), Miller Brewing Company, Nokia, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), U.S. Information Agency, Zale Corp., and automobile manufacturers, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan and Toyota.

Mark Wiskup

Wiskup Communications

A well-known author, communicator and journalist, Mark Wiskup is in great demand as a communication specialist to international organizations and Fortune 500 companies. Through executive coaching, speeches and seminars, Mark teaches the essentials of good communication and how it impacts business relationships and productivity.

Mark's first book, PRESENTATION S.O.S. published by Warner Books, was featured in TIME, USA TODAY, and CBS Radio. Mark's follow up: THE IT FACTOR published by AMACOM, was featured in Investor's Business Daily. His third book, DON'T BE THAT BOSS: How Great Communicators Get the Most from Their employees and Their Careers will be published shortly.

Mark has degrees from UCLA and Northwestern University. In previous lives, Mark founded a nationwide video and live event production company, was an award-winning television journalist and served without incident as a driver for Ian Anderson and the band Jethro Tull during several Florida tour dates.

Mark has long been involved in using his skills to help civic and community organizations. Learn more about Mark and his communication ideas at wiskupcommunications.com, wiskup.blogspot.com and twitter.com/wiskup.

Gregg Ellman

Columnist, Technophile, Photographer

Gregg Ellman is a nationally syndicated columnist, media technophile, photographer and writer who helps companies understand and implement the latest communication tools.

As a media technology director for major corporations and newspapers like the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Gregg introduces new programs and media to web sites and other communication efforts. In addition to selecting and maintaining electronic equipment and installing software, Gregg serves as the intermediary between communicators and the ever changing equipment they work with.

Since 2005, Gregg has shared his knowledge of gadgets, cameras and media technology through a nationally-syndicated column published online and in McClatchy owned newspapers. Gregg's knowledge of cameras and technology, and his notoriety as a weekly columnist, make him a popular seminar instructor for Canon Cameras.

Gregg is also a long-time professional photographer for major newspapers, the automobile racing industry and corporate projects. He and his wife Sharon have a photography business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (www.ellmanphotography.com).

Follow Gregg's blog at www.endlessyears.com. It features information on photography, video and gadgets for boomers and their families.

Gail Cooksey

Cooksey Communications

Gail Cooksey founded her own public relations agency in 1994 after more than 16 years in the corporate PR/marketing world. She is a former journalist with more than 25 years experience as a public relations professional. Gail and her agency are known for results-oriented, highly creative solutions to all types of marketing and public relations challenges for a wide variety of clients.

Prior to owning and managing her own firm, Gail served as senior vice president of statewide marketing for Comerica Bank-Texas. Prior to that, she was senior vice president and director of marketing for NorthPark National Bank, the largest independent bank in North Texas. She also has served as manager of customer relations for General Dynamics (now Lockheed Corp.) and manager of public relations and corporate communications for Texas American Bancshares (now Bank One) and Fort Worth National Bank.

Gail and her agency have received numerous awards, including the TPRA Silver Spur, the IABC Bronze Quill, and a Katy Award. She received a Presidential Citation for Private Sector Initiative. Her extensive community and media work includes: the Greater Dallas Chamber Marketing and Communications Advisory Council; the Dallas Chamber International Advisory Council; the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Committee; the Dallas CVB Hotel PR Committee; and the Metroplex Brand Initiative Task Force. She is active in the Public Relations Society of America, the PRSA Counselors Academy, Texas Public Relations Association and is former chairperson of the Bank Marketing Association. Gail has served as a board member of the American Cancer Society, Dallas unit, and previously served as its Chairman of the Board, Fort Worth unit and Chairman of its Metro Media Advisory Committee.

Ryan Watts

Watts Network

Ryan Watts, one of the principals of Watts Network, specializes in art direction, project management and production of print communication such as annual reports, newsletters and collateral materials.

Ryan's over 10 years experience in graphics and printing are valuable assets to his clients as he helps them build brands, communicate messages and manage creative personnel.

Ryan provides a broad range of services to a diverse clientele including Uniden, Practitioners Publishing Company, Tandy Corporation, Automotive Service Association, Burlington Northern, Thompson Publishing, Medical Plaza Hospital, Quality Trailer Products and Mastershield.

Greg Draper

Gregory Draper Design

For 25 years, Greg Draper has taken advertising and marketing messages and visually brought them to life through illustration and graphic design. His experience also includes production supervision, media placement and agency art director.

Greg is known nationally for his ability to meld artistic and communication skills into major corporate brand and identity projects. In recent years, Greg has been at the forefront of creativity and innovation in interactive design.

Greg's award winning career includes over 5,000 projects for corporate clients and agencies throughout the country including: Acme Brick, Alcon Laboratories, Atlanta Motor Speedway, The Bombay Company, Brinker International, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Daytona Motor Speedway, Lockheed Martin Corp., The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Pier 1 Imports and Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Co.

Diana Kern

Want a Better Website, Inc.

From concept to completion, Diana Kern has been involved in the design, development and marketing of websites since 1995, with an emphasis on site usability standards. The evolution of the Internet has presented many challenges for website developers, and staying abreast of the latest technology is a vital part of creating stunning designs and functional websites. The Want a Better Website team is at the forefront of developing new techniques and setting the standard for today's working websites.

Special thanks to the following for their expertise and service:

• Roger Immell
• Mardelle Riley
• Cary D. Simms
• Becky Simms
• Terry Immel
• Lloyd Anthony
• "Hollywood" Bob Elliot
• Harry Rundel
• Paul Beach
• Glen E. Ellman Photographer
• Sam Bogart
• Randy Garrett
• Vernon Garrett
• Micah Buehler
• Patti Tate
• Paul Mogendi
• Chris Burnett
• Cyndi Taylor
• Brian Nawrocki
• Avram Ben-Yehuda
• Joe Foster
• Steve Coryell