PRINCIPALS & ADVISERS

John Buckman

A consultant for more than twenty years, Buckman has developed and implemented successful communications initiatives for corporate clients in North America, Europe and Australia. He understands how the power of communications helps management achieve strategic goals and has the skills and experience to put that power to work for the client's success.

Buckman is highly skilled at messaging and positioning. A former journalist, he is a Golden Quill-winning writer and communicator with a diversified portfolio of high-quality work across various media (print, e-marketing, Web management, and more). He also is adept at harnessing the tools of Web 2.0 to foster collaboration, enterprise knowledge sharing and ongoing community building with customers, employees and other stakeholders.

Buckman has been particularly successful in helping companies leverage both external and internal communications as a platform for organizational change. He has worked with both established and emerging companies in such industries as manufacturing, information technology, content/publishing, life sciences and health, transportation, and financial services. Examples of Buckman's client work include:

Implemented a social media strategy for an online tutoring company that has created new channels to reach and influence school administrators, teachers and students across the U.S.
Supported a global chemical company's initiative to improve workplace quality and individual zeal. Buckman produced a magazine-style corporate publication with profiles of the client's employees in a number of different business units and regions. The project involved interaction with senior management worldwide.
With its growth through large acquisitions, a well-known financial services giant faced the challenge of creating a "One Enterprise" corporate culture. Buckman developed a North American communications program that reached more than 80,000 employees and cultivated a shared vision for the company.
Reporting directly to the CEO, Buckman helped a pioneering aggregator of online news and research cast an outsized shadow worldwide through innovative marketing and public relations. Buckman helped bring to market the first online business intelligence service geared toward a mass audience and built strategic alliances including in Australia, China and Europe. In the fast-changing IT and knowledge-services arenas, a leading online research retrieval provider used in more than 100 countries perceived that its reputation did not accurately reflect the company's innovation and new product development successes. Buckman managed a worldwide media relations campaign, involving numerous outreach efforts in major domestic and international markets.

Another area of Buckman's professional strength is crisis communication. For a client that transports hazardous chemicals and waste byproducts, for example, Buckman was on the team activated, according to the company's crisis management plan, to manage ramifications from an overturned tanker truck and possible leakage of toxic materials. Buckman's specific assignments included dealing with the media and preparing ongoing statements concerning cleanup efforts. Another client, a manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment, was the subject of incorrect reporting from a newspaper concerning the safety of one of its products. Because of the viral nature of online news, the company was concerned that the misinformation published by the newspaper would influence customers and regulators, and indeed one competitor did relay the news on to its customer base. Within hours of original publication, Buckman had prepared a management statement that was distributed online and a CEO letter that was e-mailed to customers one business day later. He also worked with the CEO on direct outreach to key trade press editors and the company's major investors. Buckman also briefed the offending newspaper's editors, leading to a published retraction.

Prior to becoming a consultant, Buckman worked in New York City as director of marketing for PR Newswire, a news release distribution service, and as a communications manager for Union Carbide.

As a business writer, Buckman has been published widely, including producing special sections for Fortune, Forbes, Business Week and other publications. For many years, he wrote a column for a British magazine, Investor Relations, about technology and its impact on capital markets and investing.

Buckman started his career working for Time magazine in Washington D.C., London and Johannesburg and later also reported for South Africa's The Financial Mail. He grew up in Western Pennsylvania, did his undergraduate work at The George Washington University and graduate work at The London School of Economics. Buckman has been involved in numerous community and professional groups, including board membership at the Software and Information Industry Association. He and his family now live in Pittsburgh.

An accomplished media, journalism and public relations professional with profound expertise in various communication disciplines, Ms. Chase is also an experienced management consultant, trainer, presenter, and writer.

Ms. Chase’s broadcast journalism career includes positions throughout the Carolinas as news director, anchor, and reporter at the top news radio stations. She is the winner of numerous local, state, regional, and national broadcast news awards and the Executive Editor of ‘North Carolina Police Officer’, the official publication of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, the Asheville, NC native was the founding partner of several media relations consulting firms.  Ms. Chase has broad experience in helping individuals and companies of all sizes deal with the informational needs of the media and other important stakeholders.  Her work for C4CS has included immediate on-the-scene response to critical situations as well as ongoing strategic communications advice and media and crisis communication training for senior managers. 

Ms. Chase has served as president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas and the Charlotte Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. She currently holds several board memberships with nonprofit and professional associations, assisting with communications, media, public relations, professional development, and event planning.

A recipient of the National Associated Press Broadcasters Enterprise Award, the Bishop Fulton J. Sheen Award, the South Carolina Associated Press Best Newscast award, Ms. Chase has also served as adjunct professor at UNC-Charlotte, Winthrop University, the University of Bucharest, Romania and Knoxville Business College.

Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM

Originally from Cameroon, Gideon F. For-mukwai, is a certified emergency manager who specializes in the design and delivery of emergency communication, crisis preparedness and resiliency training programs. His flagship training programs are Integration of Social Media into Emergency and Crisis Communication, Building a Corporate Culture of Crisis Resilience, and Turning Disasters into Opportunities.

Mr. For-mukwai is an award-winning speaker and trainer who has conducted trainings in Africa, North America, and South East Asia. He was previously a senior fire officer with the Singapore Civil Defense Force, for which he served in different leadership positions. In his last appointment as a senior instructor, he trained hundreds of officers from home team uniform agencies and coordinated international training programs for public safety officers from more than 20 countries across Asia and Central America. He also co-trained hundreds of corporate executives on crisis preparedness in the post-911 era.

In 2004, Mr. For-mukwai founded XtraMile Emergency Solutions to help corporations beef up their level of readiness. Five years later, XtraMile had trained over 8,000 executives from fields like banking, petrochemicals, hospitality and property Management. Prior to moving to the U.S., where he is currently a graduate fellow at the University of Nevada’s Reynolds School of Journalism, he helped to start a training division for CACH International in Fruitland Park, Florida.

Mr. For-mukwai has been very active within international emergency management circles for more than seven years. He currently serves as a Commissioner on the Certified Emergency Management Commission and as the President of the International Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). In 2006, Mr. For-mukwai was the first professional from outside the U.S. and Canada to earn the distinguished Certified Emergency Manager accreditation.

The author of “Facing Adversity with Audacity: Thriving in Odds, Obstacles and Opportunities”, which was published in 2008, Mr. For-mukwai is fluent in English and French and also speaks some Mandarin Chinese and German.

Dr. Alan R. Freitag, APR, Fellow PRSA

Dr. Freitag is a professor with the Communication Studies Department, College of Arts and Sciences, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in public relations, and has held this position since August 1998.  He also advises the university's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.  UNC-Charlotte is one of 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina system, and has a student population of 20,000.  The Department boasts nearly 1,300 majors and minors. 

He earned an associate in applied science degree in television production and direction from the Milwaukee Area Technical College (1971); a bachelor of science degree in radio, television and film from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (1973); a master of arts degree in business administration and public administration from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri (1977); and a Ph.D. in mass communication, specializing in public relations, from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism (1999).

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Freitag retired in 1995 as a lieutenant colonel after 22 1/2 years of service.  During that time, he spent nearly 10 years in Europe and two years in Hawaii.  He began his career as a navigator aboard C-130 Hercules aircraft, then entered the public affairs career field.  He served in advertising and publicity for Air Force recruiting, on the operations staff of the American Forces Network - Europe, as director of public affairs for a U.S. air base in England, with Air Force legislative liaison in Washington, D.C., as director of media relations for the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization at the Pentagon, as director of media relations and press aide to the Supreme Allied Commander for NATO's military arm headquartered in Belgium, and as assistant director of public affairs for the Air Force's Pacific command.

His military duties included direct public affairs involvement in the return of the U.S. hostages from Iran in 1980, the raid on Libyan terrorist facilities in 1986, and the invasion of Panama in 1989.  During three critical years with NATO, Freitag was closely involved with Alliance media activities surrounding the reunification of Germany, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, the restructuring of NATO's military, the opening of NATO to Eastern Europe, the Russian coup, the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, and NATO's involvement in the Gulf War.

Civilian experience includes production and direction work in public and commercial television prior to his Air Force service, and teaching courses in journalism and public relations during his three-year doctoral program at Ohio University, as well as serving as faculty adviser to the school's Public Relations Student Society of America chapter.

He is a member and officer of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, for whose national conventions he has presented several research papers.  He is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America and serves as faculty adviser to UNC-Charlotte's student chapter.  He also holds memberships with the SHAPE Officers Association (NATO), the Air Force Association, the Armed Forces Broadcasters Association, and the Retired Officers Association.

His work has been published in Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of Communication Management, Public Relations Quarterly, Newspaper Research Journal, Airman, and Asia-Pacific Defense Forum.

Professional military courses completed include Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officers' School, the NATO Officers' Course, the Senior Public Affairs Officers' Course, the Broadcast Managers' course, the Public Information Officers' Course, and the Air Force Communications Short Course.

Dr. Stefan Lütgens

Dr. Stefan Lütgens looks back upon a career of almost 20 years in professional communications, with leadership positions in media and public relations, corporate communications, corporate and public affairs. Since the mid 1990s his primary focus has been on issues management, crisis management, and crisis communication.

Dr. Lütgens has gained broad expertise in leading cross-functional and cross-cultural teams. He is experienced in project management, in particular in developing and implementing new communication tools, processes and systems.

Dr. Lütgens earned both a master degree and a doctorate in Communication Science from the University of Salzburg in Austria. He began his professional career as a public relations consultant with Ketchum in Munich / Germany and subsequently worked in the global public relations strategy department at BMW world headquarters before moving on to the post of Head of Corporate Communications of Brose Group, a global automotive supplier, based in Coburg / Germany.

In 2000 Dr. Lütgens joined the German business of Kraft Foods in Bremen where he established Issues Management within Corporate Affairs, re-launched the consumer relations department and served as media spokesperson on the German crisis management team. He then was promoted to Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs with Kraft Foods International (KFI) in London. This role included
responsibility for the KFI issues & crisis management system, re-launching the international crisis management manual, leading trainings for country crisis teams and coordinating crisis communications across Europe. Additionally Dr. Lütgens developed and headed the media training program for KFI spokespersons in Europe, Asia, Africa and Central/South America. \

In 2005 Dr. Lütgens became Senior Manager of Global Public Affairs / Issues Management at Kraft Foods´ European Union Public Affairs office in Brussels. Reporting to senior management at Kraft Foods world headquarters in Chicago, he had a key role in developing Kraft´s global issues management process and led its implementation across Europe. He monitored emerging issues in the EU, developed corporate positions and set up a global online resource for issues communications. Through coordinating Kraft representatives in industry associations across Europe and serving as representative on several EU working groups, Dr. Lütgens also gained valuable insights into the complexity of trade association work in Europe.

Following his eight-year career with Kraft, Dr. Lütgens returned to Germany to become Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications for Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Cologne.

In 2008 Dr. Lütgens moved to Hamburg to start his own consulting business, advising selected clients on strategic communications, issues management, and crisis management. Since early 2009 Dr. Lütgens has partnered with C4CS to exchange professional expertise and to create synergies in consulting and training services around the globe.

Dr. Lütgens has been a guest lecturer at universities in Germany and Austria as well as a presenter and author. In 2001 his doctoral thesis on issues management received the “Scientific Award” from the Public Relations Society of Austria (PRVA). His book “Issues Management” was recognized as one of the first specialized books on this topic in Germany. Dr. Lütgens is co-founder of an issues management working group of leading European companies which is today known as the German Issues Management Society (IMAGE). He is also a member of the Working Group on Crisis Communication and Issues Management within the German Public Relations Society (DPRG) as well as a member of the Federation of German Spokespersons (BdP).

Born and raised in Austria, Dr. Lütgens has lived in several European countries. He is a strong believer in the value of cultural diversity and speaks German and English fluently. In his spare time he enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with family and friends. While his golf handicap is still lousy, he is, however, a passionate skier preferably exploring black runs in the Austrian Alps and in the Rocky Mountains.

Joey C. Popp

A professional broadcast journalist with over 20 years in television and radio news, Joey Popp uses realistic interview techniques to help build media and spokesperson skills for our corporate, not for profit and government client partners.

Mr. Popp’s career includes both journalism and public relations. In the early 1980s, he left a stint with an Atlanta network affiliate to undertake a new and exciting adventure. As Director of Communication for the 1982 World’s Fair, Mr. Popp was interviewed by hundreds of newspaper, radio and television reporters from around the globe.  In this role, he added to his talent for covering the news the ability to effectively work with the news media as a PR professional. 

Following the conclusion of the World’s Fair, Mr. Popp returned to broadcast journalism in Charlotte, NC.  As an investigative and medical producer with WBTV, the CBS affiliate, he quickly gained recognition for his award-winning work.  A member of the NC Radio Television and Directors Association, Mr. Popp conducted numerous memorable interviews and wrote and edited many groundbreaking investigative pieces.  In addition, he produced “Doctor-On-Call”, one the first local television news segments devoted to medical research, which quickly became a respected feature on WBTV news.

Mr. Popp then moved on to WLOS, the ABC affiliate in Asheville, NC, where he worked as a general assignment reporter, reporting “live” about many breaking stories and providing in-depth coverage of the area’s judicial system.  He also filled in as co-anchor of the station’s highly rated Morning News before joining the NBC affiliate, WCNC, in Charlotte.  For WCNC he reported “live” from many crisis spots and prepared breaking news stories from the station’s mobile newsroom.  Always stable and unflappable before the intensity of the cameras, Popp was a highly recognized and popular member of the News6 team.

In 1996, Mr. Popp left full-time journalism to pursue an independent career.  In his role as Senior Partner and lead media trainer at C4CS, he has since worked with hundreds of individuals who routinely praise him as an outstanding mentor and coach. 

Together with his wife Catherine, Mr. Popp also produces television and radio segments and places advertising with various broadcasting media.  In addition, he continues to work as a TV journalist with WTVI, hosting the popular weekly one-hour call-in program “Healthwise”.  

An avid sports fan, in his free time Mr. Popp can be found at Bank of America Stadium cheering the Carolina Panthers, pulling for the Charlotte Bobcats, or broadcasting from various high school football games where he occasionally provides both play-by-play and color commentary.

Oliver S. Schmidt

A native of Berlin, Germany, Mr. Schmidt has more than 20 years of consulting, training and coaching experience in the areas of strategic communication, crisis management, and organizational leadership under his belt. He speaks several languages and has lived and worked in North America, Europe and Asia.

Due to his international background, Mr. Schmidt possesses a rare sense for cultural differences and their role in multinational corporations. He is capable of both quickly assessing complex business issues and guiding a comprehensive response while providing culturally diverse client partners with a depth of understanding and competence.

Mr. Schmidt routinely advises business leaders including the CEOs of large corporations regarding high stakes business problems. On the consulting end his focus is on working with domestic and international client partners in the areas of crisis and risk communication, litigation communication, employee communication, media relations, social media, issues management, reputation management, and crisis management.

In confidential executive coaching sessions Mr. Schmidt helps senior managers improve their interpersonal communication and public speaking skills as well as reach a greater understanding of what it takes to be a successful leader. This holistic approach is not only geared toward enhancing verbal and physical delivery, but also at learning how to win over audiences and becoming a more confident and effective leader.

Mr. Schmidt is frequently invited to make presentations and conduct customized management trainings. He has addressed professional audiences in several dozen countries on topics ranging from crisis and risk communication to issues management, business continuity planning, and leadership coaching.

A global affiliate of the Center for Global Public Relations (CGPR) at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mr. Schmidt has also been active in professional organizations such as the Association of Contingency Planners, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the German Public Relations Society (DPRG).

Mr. Schmidt's expertise extends to his educational career. He possesses a Master's degree in Communication Science and Business Management and has been a guest lecturer at universities in a number of countries. A Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Japanese Foreign Ministry scholar as well as the recipient of a Fulbright Grant, Mr. Schmidt has contributed to a variety of industry and peer reviewed publications including The Business Communicator, Disaster Resource Guide and Continuity Insights.

In his free time Mr. Schmidt enjoys biking, swimming and soccer with his wife and his children. His interest in learning about and exploring foreign cultures has turned him into a fan of travel literature. An avid fly fisherman, Mr. Schmidt can be found wading the streams feeding Lake Erie, preferably going after steelhead.