Seriously?  “Bike cop, really! Beef cattle showmanship, oh yes. Interested in people? Always!”

BUSINESS

Cindy is the visionary Founder and CEO, who leads with conviction and commitment to the betterment of business, family, and the community. She created a culture where serving others happens every day; it’s a lifestyle and the core of what CEL does. She is known for building relationships and helping communities thrive.

She has co-authored numerous articles and is a frequent presenter on branding and creative integrated marketing. Whether presenting to groups at the Million Dollar Roundtable in Hawaii or corporate gatherings in Las Vegas, the audience leaves inspired and walks away with practical, effective tactics. Cindy tackles every project with the innate understanding and belief that “The process is as important as the end result,” balancing strategy with creativity to offer insightful communications solutions to diverse markets and demographics. This is evident in hundreds of client brands, community programs, campaigns and strategies. Her company’s work is seen locally, nationally and internationally.

FAMILY

Cindy and her husband Darrell can be found spending their free time spoiling their two grandsons, trying not to make their two grown children jealous. As the baby of six children, Cindy’s family spans the country and she looks for any opportunity to see them all.

COMMUNITY

Awards

• Best CEO Giving Back in 2016 – Lake Minnetonka Magazine
• Person of the Year in 2015 – Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce
• Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011 – TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
• Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist – TwinWest Chamber of Commerce

Volunteer Positions – Past and Present

• Wayzata Education Foundation Co-chair
• Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair
• Wayzata Rotary Club President
• Wayzata Athletic Boosters President
• Business Education Partnership Committee Co-chair
• TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Chair
• TwinWest Chamber of Commerce

SOCIAL MEDIA

Seriously?  “Lambeau. The LA Collesium. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Three of my favorite places to have fun!”

BUSINESS

Company Strategist: Janet is most often described as strategic, results-oriented and committed to excellence. A systems-thinker and keen observer of what differentiates your business, her favorite question is “What if?” She will help you see around the next corner, avoid potential obstacles and deliver a unique strategy to achieve your goals. When Opus College of Business at St. Thomas shifted its focused expertise from retail and real estate to the business of health care, principled leadership and entrepreneurship, Janet and her team faced a challenge: 75 percent of Opus’ media coverage had been on retail and real estate studies with a 15-year history and reputation. Breaking into three new business sectors required research, insights and a focused strategy. Within one-year total media placements outperformed year-over-year results and shifted to 77 percent alignment with the new priorities. Her team also worked closely with the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, featured its highly regarded Family Business Center, and supported budding entrepreneurs and social innovators through storytelling and media relations. Janet will help you uncover your compelling stories and connect with your most important stakeholders.

School Adviser: For our school clients, Janet understands the complexities and constraints of your world. She began her career in a small Wisconsin district of 4,000 students, before moving to Wayzata and then Minnetonka Schools. In each district, she started as the only person in the communications office and built the program over time. She’s developed national award-winning internal and external communication and community engagement programs. From adopting new curriculum and technologies to explaining school funding, to engaging parents, staff, community and alumni in support of our kids, Janet understands what keeps school leaders up at night and how strategic communication plans can help you achieve your goals. She is a passionate advocate for equity and excellence in education so that every student is inspired to achieve–with hope and confidence– more than they thought possible. She believes that schools hold the future of every community, and are a vital foundation of our democracy. She will work collaboratively with you to engage the hearts and minds of parents, staff and communities to make decisions in the best interest of children.

FAMILY

Janet and her husband Kurt have been in love for more than 30 years. They have two wonderfully independent adult children, Luke and Michelle. They enjoy traveling, boating and spending time family and friends.

COMMUNITY

• Public Relations Society of America, College of Fellows (Class of 2019)
• Minnesota PRSA Board Member
• MinnSPRA and WSPRA past-president; Dawn K. McDowell Leadership in Communications Award recipient
• National School Public Relations Association – presenter at the national seminar 21 years and counting
• Actively involved in PR Accreditation mentoring and coaching since 1999; served on the national governing board for accreditation from 2006-2014
• Former Advancement Chair for Boy Scout Troop 283 (Wayzata); proud mom of an Eagle Scout

SOCIAL MEDIA

“Seriously? I completed a triathlon at 7 months pregnant! 

BUSINESS

Company Collaborator: Chelsea approaches each client with care and combines her attention to detail with overall implementation skills for effective outcomes. She’s been with CEL for over 10 years and is the resident technology wizard, often found training colleagues and clients. She puts her skills to the test helping to create creative, effective and lasting campaigns and brands, by focusing efforts on integrating marketing communications, website development, social media and online marketing services. 

School Educator: Chelsea is a master of helping schools bridge the gap between communications and technology while ensuring the integrity of their brand and best practices are upheld. She is described as “a valued advisor and advocate,” respected within the field for helping public school districts and private schools tell their story and interact with stakeholders, using effective communication tools and technology. As an accomplished speaker, Chelsea presents to diverse groups from School Boards to professional association members (MinnSPRA, NSPRA and others) to annual conferences and administrative staff events. 

FAMILY

When not servicing clients, Chelsea is surrounded by testosterone and can be found scheduling her husband Jon, wrangling their two sons Matthew and Mark, and making sure their dog Charlie is entertained! 

COMMUNITY

• 2019 Board Vice Chair – Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Board Member (2017 – Current) – Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Member – MinnSPRA (Minnesota School Public Relations Association)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Seriously?  “I lived in Scotland for one month when I was 18 to play soccer and educate myself on pubs and lagers.”

BUSINESS

At the helm of all branding and design, Scott oversees and pushes beyond limits on every graphic element created for clients. He strategically designs brands for launch into the marketplace and supports them with creative design and images that speak to the target market, supporting marketing, sales, revenue generation and brand reputation. 

Scott’s award-winning portfolio includes more than 70 brands for small and midsize businesses, large corporations and non-profit organizations. His brands also span across public and private schools from Minnetonka to Minneapolis, Princeton and Winona. He played a vital role in the rebrand of a local television station and branding The Roots Jam Session, an annual pre-Grammy party, hosted by The Roots, Jimmy Fallon’s Late Show band. Scott has also designed packaging for ESPN’s award-winning show, 30 for 30.

FAMILY

A Connecticut native, he can be found listening to improvisational music and playing golf, soccer or running, trying to counteract his love for craft beer. He and his wife, Jenna have 3 beautiful boys Noah, Oliver and Maven. 

COMMUNITY

As co-founder (with wife Jenna) of Noah’s Memorial SIDS Foundation, they created the foundation to support SIDS research and help families who have lost a child. He is also the co-founder of Noah’s Memorial Classic, an annual golf tournament with proceeds benefiting the CJ Foundation for SIDS, Faith’s Lodge, and a funeral fund at the MN Children’s Hospital. 

Seriously?  “I had a hand in recruiting players for the University of Minnesota Women’s Basketball team!”

BUSINESS

Erin is an award-winning designer whose logos and ad designs have been featured in print publications and branded on Habitat for Humanity events. She is recognized for her attention to detail, creativity and timeliness in meeting project deadlines.

From direct mail and print collateral to web and social media graphics, Erin shines with creative ideas, with an eye on target markets. Her fresh perspective and pulse on Generation Z and Millennial consumers is an asset to CEL clients.

Erin is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she earned a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Journalism/Strategic Communications. She enjoys learning about our clients and providing them with high-quality graphic design and service.

FAMILY

Erin is originally from Wisconsin, where her sense of adventure began. She was known as the “daredevil” child, riding up and down on garage doors and climbing tall trees in her church dress. This early behavior eventually led to skydiving, which she claims was so intense that it took her breath away, leaving her with the desire to jump again!

Photography, drawing, watercolor (especially painting flowers), and baking are Erin’s passions. She loves exploring and capturing the perfect photograph and has a reputation for making deliciously addicting chocolate chip cookies.

COMMUNITY

• Habitat for Humanity
• Feed My Starving Children

Seriously?  “You may have seen my face plastered on the side of a bus or my house in a commercial on the TV!”

BUSINESS

Karen’s role expands way beyond Finance Manager. She handles the daily administrative operations and financial management for CEL with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, a positive attitude and great customer service. Her 18 years of consumer and mortgage banking experience and ability to work with numbers, payables, receivables and invoicing helps keep us all in balance.

FAMILY

When Karen and husband Steve, are not working on home projects, they can be found up nort’ at the cabin, or hanging out with their grown children, Andrew, Evan and Emily and son-in-law Scott. More importantly, they have their golden retrievers named Sophie and Ridley, who love going for long walks on the Luce Line!

COMMUNITY

• After her children left the nest, Karen spent several years working as a para in the public schools, guiding and helping elementary children in the classroom and on the playground.

Seriously?  “I am an international recording artist.”

BUSINESS

Darrell serves as the General Manager utilizing his years of corporate experience managing multi-million dollar private and government contracts. He has a knack for effective proposals, accurate projections, and a proven track record for staying in budget and on schedule.

In his past life, Darrell worked as a Program/Logistics Manager and has 30 years of experience in development, production and logistics management of highly technical electro-mechanical products for government and commercial business.

COMMUNITY

• Vote Yes Committee Co-Chair – Wayzata Public Schools
• Oakwood Elementary PTA President
• Member PMI (Project Management Institute)
• Wayzata Rotary Member

SOCIAL MEDIA