Bios
Mara Woloshin, M.A., APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal
In addition to leading the Woloshin Communications team, Mara Woloshin maintains a diverse client roster, providing strategic counsel and consulting services as well as training and workshops in new business development, workforce change, integrated market planning, research and nonprofit partnership programs.
Mara is an in-demand speaker and seminar presenter (not surprising for someone who once majored in drama!). Her keynote presentation - "Growing Up Goldberg" - is an entertaining look at real-life applications of change in the work place based on the observations of her eccentric family members. Mara has also taught at Oregon universities since 1989 and holds a master's degree in communications.
Mara is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, the American Marketing Association and the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy. She is a past president of the Portland Metro Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and received PRSA's William Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. She was admitted into PRSA's College of Fellows in 2005. Her work in public relations research and planning has received numerous awards.
When Mara isn't gardening with questionable results, she is busy helping others. She has assisted 25 refugees get their U.S. citizenship. She is also the Universal Accreditation Chair of the Portland chapter of PRSA.
Jan Thenell, M.A., APR, Senior Writer and Executive Writing Coach
Writer/writing coach Jan Thenell wears two hats. As a writer, she puts together the words that promote the goals of Woloshin Communications clients -- with news releases, web site copy, customized speeches, newsletters, annual reports or whatever else needs to be consigned to the printed or electronic page. When asked to use her skills as a writing coach, Jan also helps busy professionals and/or their staff members write better, faster and easier.
Jan honed her media/communication skills as a news reporter, as a writer in the fast-paced press communications office of former Oregon Gov. Victor Atiyeh and as a trainer-educator in her former role as director of public relations for the nationally recognized Multnomah County (Oregon) Library System. Jan retired in 1999 to devote herself to writing full-time.
An instructor in the Communications Department at Marylhurst University since 1989, Jan has a master's degree from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications. She is the author of Library's Crisis Communications Planner: a PR Guide for Handling Every Emergency, a textbook on crisis communications.
When Jan isn't traveling to exotic places like Nepal, China, or Europe to teach English, she lives in Tigard.
Bruce Varney, Business Development
With his broad marketing and promotional experience in the wholesale and retail food, beverage, furniture and distribution industries, Bruce Varney brings a visionary but practical approach to the Woloshin Communications team. His successful 15-year career as a corporate marketing executive includes working with Forbes 150 corporations like Smart & Final, United Grocers, Inc., and Vistar Corporation.
Whether it's special events, media coverage, advertising, trade communications, employee training and meetings, branding, product development or even logistics, Bruce has done it. Organized, analytical, straightforward and experienced, Bruce is a strategic thinker who keeps the team grounded in the "business at hand." He has successfully and consistently grown sales by double-digits for every organization he has served.
Bruce, who is on assignment in San Jose, Calif., lives in Tualatin with his wife, Pam, and his two dogs, Emily and Lucy. He enjoys old cars, jazz and numismatics.
