16 new hires at Weber

The Minneapolis-St. Paul office of Weber Shandwick today announced the new hires of 16 employees in the interactive and emerging media, financial services, corporate, community and public affairs, technology, consumer marketing and health care practices.

After completing her internship, Leslie Sorum joined the interactive and emerging media practice as junior designer. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Sorum interned at several companies gaining experience in media buying, promotions, and Web development. A native of New Richmond, Wis., Sorum graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications with an emphasis in advertising and design from the University of Wisconsin- Madison.

Roman Gaponenko joined the interactive and emerging media practice as a digital strategy supervisor. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Gaponenko was an account supervisor of digital marketing at Fleishman-Hillard in Washington, D.C. Gaponenko holds a bachelor’s degree in regional studies from Moscow State University, and has also studied at University of Northern Iowa and Georgetown University.

Tony Saucier joined the consumer marketing practice as an account supervisor. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Saucier was a senior associate at Exponent PR. A native of Bangor, Maine, Saucier graduated from the University of Maine, and holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Marie Kurth joined the consumer marketing practice as an assistant account executive. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Kurth held three communications internships abroad in Germany. A native of Maple Plain, Minn., Kurth holds a bachelor's degree in English print journalism and German from Concordia College.

Amy Tieder joined the health care practice as an account supervisor. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Tieder was the media relations and marketing specialist at Mayo Clinic. A native of Rochester, Minn., Tieder holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Minnesota.

Sarah Stakston joined the health care practice as a senior account executive. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Stakston work in the health care and medical device practice at Padilla Spear Beardsley. A native of Woodbury, Minn., Stakston holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and business management from the University of Minnesota. Stakston is currently pursuing an MBA at Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

After completing her internship, Rebecca Wright joined the health care practice as an assistant account executive. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Wright interned at Ryan Partnership. A native of Edina, Minn., Wright holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and communication studies from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

After completing her internship, Helga Radio joined the health care practice as an assistant account executive. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Radio was a public relations and marketing intern at Fairview Partners. A native of Shoreview, Minn., Radio holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications with an emphasis in public relations from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Anne Torkelson joined the technology practice as an assistant account executive. A 2007 cum laude graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., Torkelson holds a bachelor’s degree in English and religion with a media studies concentration. Before joining Weber Shandwick, she interned in internal communications at Wells Fargo Business Credit. Anne has also interned at Minneapolis Downtown Journal and Southwest Journal, City Pages and at publishers Milkweed Editions and Fairview Press. While at St. Olaf, Torkelson held multiple leadership positions on the staff of both the college newspaper and literary journal.

April Nelson joined the financial services practice as a senior account executive. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Nelson was a public relations specialist at Education Minnesota. A native of Langdon, N.D., Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations with a minor in English writing from Concordia College.

Amy Reasoner joined the financial services practice as an account supervisor. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Reasoner was in charge of grassroots initiatives at the Office of Government and Community Relations at the University of Minnesota. A native of St. Paul, Minn., Reasoner holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wis.

After completing her internship, Sarah Rydland joined the financial services practice as an assistant account executive. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Rydland interned with the Charities Review Council in St. Paul. A native of Chanhassen, Minn., Rydland holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and journalism from the University of Minnesota.

After completing his internship, John Poferl joined the financial services practice as an assistant account executive. A native of Oakdale, Minn., Poferl holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a public relations emphasis from St. Cloud State University.

Michelle Holford joined the corporate, community and public affairs practice as an account supervisor. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Holford was the community relations director at the Burnsville Eagan Savage School District. A native of Gresham, Ore., Holford holds a bachelor's degree in communications/public relations from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., and holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse.

Ben Maurer joined the corporate, community and public affairs practice as a senior account executive. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Maurer worked for the Minnesota Vikings for six years. A native of Pierz, Minn., Maurer holds a bachelor's degree in communications from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

Meg Paschich joined the corporate, community and public affairs practice as a senior account executive. Paschich is based in Chicago, but works for the agency's Minneapolis-St. Paul office. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Paschich worked on financial, investor relations and corporate clients at Edelman. A native of El Paso, Texas, Paschich holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas in Austin and a master's degree in public relations from DePaul University. Paschich is also actively involved with the Junior League of Chicago.