Matt Kucharski
senior vice president, marketing, crisis and critical issues, and technology

Matt's communications experience and versatility make his counsel valuable to a diverse range of clients. Since joining the firm in 1989, he has successfully implemented strategic public relations programs for technology and manufacturing players including Rockwell Automation, Entegris, Vocollect, RSA Security, Valspar, Genesys/Alcatel, Microsoft, IBM, 3M, Iomega, Retek, Net Perceptions, CNT, Labseek, Plural, Artesyn Technologies, Weather Shield, Cycore, Sega, Shavlik Technologies and Solutran.

As leader of the Padilla Speer Beardsley technology practice and a key member of the firm's business-to-business marketing team, Matt has extensive experience in positioning and message development; marketing communications planning; media relations training; corporate, brand and product positioning; merger and acquisition announcements and issues management. He has conducted more than 150 Communicating for Action sessions - the firm's proprietary planning methodology. As a member of the Crisis Response Team, he advises clients on crisis and critical-issues communications and training.

Matt serves as the Padilla Speer Beardsley liaison to the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world's largest and most established network of independent firms, and helps Padilla Speer Beardsley advise clients on how best to extend their programs around the world. He was responsible for establishing Worldcom partner protocols to improve consistency and uniformity across the network, and is chair of the Americas Region.

Matt is an adjunct instructor in the journalism school at the University of Minnesota, a member of the board of directors of the Minnesota High Tech Association, a volunteer advisor for Pheasants Forever, a board member of the Fish Lake Area Residents Association, and an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. Matt was named to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's "40 Under 40" list of emerging business leaders in 2006. He frequently lectures at various colleges, universities and professional associations, and has authored several articles for local and national magazines.

Prior to Padilla Speer Beardsley, he performed marketing and employee communications at Cray Research and U.S. Bank. He graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in journalism and business.