By Ryan Gueningsman
Managing Editor

ST. PAUL, MN – Delano native Jennifer Hellman was recently named the chief operating officer of Goff Public, formerly Goff & Howard.

Hellman has been with the company since 1998. She is a 1994 graduate of Delano High School, and also a graduate of St. Olaf College, with a major in communications.

She is the daughter of Bill and Sue Fink, and said she enjoys returning to Delano every year for the Fourth of July and to participate in the 5K run.

As the new chief operating officer, Hellman will set the overall direction for client activities, match clients with the right mix of Goff Public professionals, and ensure that they consistently receive the highest quality products and services.

Hellman said she originally planned to go into broadcast journalism, but said after interning with KARE11 and Fox 9, she felt pulled toward the public relations world.

“It was through those experiences and taking calls from the PR people that made me realize that was the side I wanted to be on,” Hellman said.

In her client service role, Hellman has helped organizations including the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and web development firm Ackmann & Dickenson incorporate community relations, employee communications, media relations, and social media into their communications strategies.

She counsels clients in crisis situations, identifies stories and frames them in compelling ways, and helps clients take advantage of media opportunities and minimize risks.

Hellman also conducts spokesperson and media training seminars. She started out as a writer at the agency, moved into media relations, and also became a shareholder about five years ago.

Hellman serves in leadership roles outside of the company, as well. She is the 2011 program chair of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Saint Paul and a 2008 graduate of the program.

She was also part of the 2009-2010 class of Leadership Minnesota through the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

In these capacities, she contributes to conversations on statewide issues and networks with business leaders across the state to enhance her knowledge of trends and issues that impact clients.

“This announcement is part of continued positive change within Goff Public as we work to better serve the current and future public relations and public affairs needs of our clients,” said Chris Georgacas, president of Goff Public.

Goff Public is a public relations and public affairs firm serving Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

Based in St. Paul, it is a mid-sized firm with a team of highly experienced professionals in strategic planning, media relations, social media, crisis communications, community relations, writing, and lobbying.

Clients vary from local non-profits to large international corporations that need to communicate with policy makers, the general public, community groups, internal audiences, and opponents.

The firm dates back to 1966, when Bob Goff co-founded Coleman and Goff, one of the first public relations firms in Minnesota. In January 2011, Goff Public changed its name from Goff & Howard.