Tom Nardacci, founder and principal of Gramercy Communications, recently took part in a panel discussion for the 2011 Leadership Tech Valley class entitled, “Working with the Media for Maximum Impact.” Nardacci joined local journalists and other PR professionals at WMHT in the Rensselaer Tech Park for the discussion. He spoke of his experience working with the media and shared some best practices on how to ensure that your message is clear, concise and memorable. Nardacci also advised the Leadership Class that a constant and sustained interaction with the media will pay dividends when, not if, a crisis situations arises. Leadership Tech Valley is a shared initiative of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Schenectady County which provides skill development to enable participants to grow professionally as they explore issues and opportunities in the Capital Region.

Eric Wohlleber recently participated in a panel discussion at the 2011 Career Day hosted by Columbia-Greene Community College. Wohlleber spoke about his professional experiences in the fields of journalism, public relations and marketing, as well as the opportunities these fields have to offer students. Also on the panel were current and former journalists, a communications professor and a former senior advertising executive. The annual event draws hundreds of students and is sponsored by the Columbia and Greene County Guidance Association.

Gramercy Communications Adds Eric Wohlleber as Vice President

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gramercy Communications, a Downtown Albany public relations firm founded by Tom Nardacci in 2005, is proud to announce the hiring of Eric Wohlleber as Vice President. Wohlleber, a former broadcast reporter turned PR practitioner, brings over a decade of senior-level communications experience in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Wohlleber is an East Greenbush native and a graduate of the Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where he earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

“Gramercy Communications is very excited to add Eric Wohlleber to our team,” said Thomas Nardacci, founder and principal of Gramercy Communications. “He brings a wealth of experience both as a journalist and a public relations professional and will help us to continue to provide excellent service our existing clients, as well as play a large role in our continued expansion. An added plus is that, like me, his heart bleeds Syracuse Orange.”

Nardacci said that he has worked closely with Wohlleber for several years through their involvement with the regional chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Nardacci served as the group’s President in 2008 and Wohlleber succeeded him in 2009. They teamed up to create the association’s highly successful monthly Wednesday Workshop PR skills-building series and the annual Empire Awards. Nardacci added, “Eric and I have the same attitude towards the regional public relations industry, that the aphorism ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ is true. By making the industry stronger we are creating more awareness about the profession as a whole and generating more business as a result.”

In just five years Gramercy Communications has built a reputation as one of Upstate New York’s premier boutique strategic communications firms. The firm represents a variety of economic development, energy, corporate, government and not-for-profit clients. Gramercy recently reported that despite the uncertain economic and political climate, their current clients have over $1 billion in active economic development projects in New York State.

Wohlleber worked as a broadcast reporter and producer in several media markets including locally at WTEN. He joins Gramercy from the New York State Senate, where he managed communications, marketing and direct mail campaigns. He formerly worked at Zone 5, a local marketing firm where he worked with a wide range of clients. Prior to that, he served as spokesman for the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office and was previously Statewide Public Relations Director for the New York State Special Olympics.

“In five years Gramercy Communications has enjoyed marked and steady success in Tech Valley by building a reputation as the kind of firm that not only delivers great results, but one that truly works in partnership with clients,” said Wohlleber. “I am very excited to be joining Gramercy and I look forward to building on this solid foundation as well as assisting in the company’s continued growth and success.”

Wohlleber lives in Poestenkill with his wife, Kara, and their two daughters.