Steve Mitchell is Chairman of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc., and oversees the company's Lansing headquarters.

His political consulting, public relations counseling and marketing research career spans more than 25 years and reaches across more than 40 states.

He has extensive experience in marketing research, from conducting focus groups to questionnaire development to data analysis. He uses the research data to develop and implement strategic management plans for political, governmental and private industry clients.

In addition, Steve is well versed in crisis communication management, (including guiding a Fortune 500 company in its internal and external communications during a bankruptcy filing), community relations programs, media relations, direct mail and coalition building.

Steve is nationally recognized for his successful work in preparing and implementing state-wide ballot referendums.

He is continually sought after to provide his political expertise, polling and on-air analysis to a host of television stations throughout the country and is regular political analyst for NBC affiliate WDIV-TV 4 in Detroit. He also is the pollster for The Detroit News. He has also served as a pollster and on-air analyst for KCBS-TV and KCAL-TV in Los Angeles.

He is a recognized speaker on trends in politics and polling.

He has also met the public relations needs of clients in a host fields; including banking, real estate, data information, automotive, waste management, environmental, manufacturing, advertising, federal, state and local governments, as well as for professional and trade associations.

He has served on the staffs of United States senators, congressmen, state senators and state representatives. Because of his familiarity with the inner workings of Lansing and Washington, D.C., he is able to cut through bureaucratic red tape and take issues directly to the source.

He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of American (A.P.R.) and is very active in the community.

He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Northern Michigan University.

Suzan Mitchell is President and Chief Financial Officer of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc. and is Chair of the firm’s Brand Marketing Practice.

In her 30 years in the communications industry, Suzie has built an extensive and varied background working with clients both in the consumer and business-to-business sectors covering economic development, health care, food/beverage, financial services, community mental health, emergency services, public safety, local government and waste management industries.

We understand the power of brand. We know how to impact behavior and choice both short term and long term while building brand loyalty. By employing creative planning, based on a brand’s strategy, we deliver powerful programs that reach targeted audiences that achieve measurable results.

Suzie also served as Director of the Department of Public Information for the County of Oakland in Michigan (pop. 1.1 million) from 1983-1992. She was responsible for all the County internal and external communications.

She spent the early part of her career as a journalist for the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, a twice-weekly suburban chain with circulation of 100,000 plus. Her background as a journalist helps her maintain hundreds of contacts with print, television and broadcast reporters.

In addition to her communications experience, Suzie is a nationally recognized fundraiser for major donor programs. She has served as a fundraising consultant to U.S. Congressmen and Michigan Supreme Court justices.

She holds a bachelor's degree in communication from Michigan State University and has completed specialized training in public relations from New York University.

Mort Meisner is president of the Media Relations Department of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc.

He has more than 20 years of news management and public relations experience including major positions at five network affiliates. He currently focuses on using his experience and “insider’s perspective” to provide media training and consulting for corporate, health care and entertainment clients, and for athletes and politicians.

With his unique mix of knowledge and experience, Mort has created a media-training program that helps clients develop real-life answers to real-life situations.

His proprietary system for “getting the message across to the media” teaches participants skills for:

• managing a crisis
• managing tough questions
• using emotions to reach an audience
• attracting positive media attention
• driving a point home

In addition, Mort teaches clients how to develop speeches and presentations; how to use visual aids; how to use effective body language; how to prepare for TV and radio interviews, and video news releases; and how to perform as a product spokesperson.

He also is a recognized speaker on the media and has been a guest lecturer for many University classes. His work is featured in a university level textbook titled Mass Media Writing by Elsie K. Parsigian.

He is also the winner of several prestigious awards, including an Emmy. He serves on a number of community boards and has a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Detroit.

Leslie Mangas is Director of the Creative Design Division of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc. She is a national acclaimed, award winning designer whose work spans two decades.

Her design expertise extends to publication design, new product design and development, corporate identity, direct mail and collateral materials. Leslie has worked in major markets including Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis, designing for clients such as The U.S. Woman’s Open, handling their publication design, Gerber Baby Foods, Upjohn Pharmaceutical Co., Libby McNeil & Libby, Kraft Foods, Johnson Products and Dupont/Kansi Automotive Coatings.

Leslie’s work has been recognized with awards of excellence from IABC Detroit, Se Habla Espanol, Chicago Art Directors Club and Art Direction Magazine.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Advertising Design and Textile Science from Iowa State University, College of Design.