Stephanie York, former spokeswoman for retired Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, has a new job.
York will be leaving her job as director of communications and public relations for Cleveland Clinic Akron General to join a crisis communications firm and open an Akron office.
She will become a vice president of Cleveland-based Hennes Communications.
The firm already has clients in Akron, but sees a lot of opportunity to grow, said Hennes Vice President Thom Fladung.
“Akron has everything Cleveland has. With that comes problems with crisis management and reputation management,” said Fladung, who served as managing editor at the Beacon Journal and the Plain Dealer before joining Hennes last July.
York was appealing to the firm because of her deep ties to Akron, Fladung said.
She will leave the hospital after a year in the job on June 17 and begin with Hennes later this month.
York, 45, brings her years of experience as director of communications for the city of Akron, Fladung said. She also served in the city’s law department and will bring in-house legal expertise to Hennes, he said. York worked for the city for 23 years.
York said she has long admired managing partner Bruce Hennes and his techniques.
“His approach to crisis management is known nationwide. I am privileged and honored to be joining his team. They’re just the rock star of crisis communications,” York said.
York said she “thoroughly enjoyed” her time at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and wasn’t looking to leave.
The hospital system tried to convince York to stay, said Eileen Sheil, with Cleveland Clinic’s corporate communications department, “but this was a good opportunity for her and good people get recruited.”
York’s position will be filled, Sheil said.
York had a sometimes tumultuous relationship with the media during her tenure with the city, especially before Plusquellic’s sudden retirement.
When asked about it, York said: “I was Mayor Plusquellic’s spokesperson. Everybody has to realize I can only give advice and then I have to do what is requested of me as the spokesperson. I was not talking as Stephanie York. I was talking as the mayor and as the city of Akron because that was my job.”
Fladung said he did not know details of the issue, but said he was not concerned. He said there are times when media and politicians get “crosswise” with each other, but “you do want to have a productive relationship.”
In addition to helping companies work with the media in a crisis, Hennes will also help clients work with customers, boards, shareholders and social media.
York will be working out of a downtown Akron office. No site has been selected yet.
Staff reporter Amanda Garrett contributed to this report. Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty