Jay Verner

Jay Verner

Greater Chicago Area
828 followers 500+ connections

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About

Seasoned communications leader with two decades of experience moving stakeholders to…

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Experience

  • Thrivent Graphic

    Thrivent

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  • -

  • -

    Normal, Illinois

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    Bloomington/Normal, Illinois Area

Education

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

  • Telethon co-host and volunteer

    Children's Hospital of Illinois

    - 2 years 1 month

    Health

    As a parent with two children who are "graduates"​ of the Children's Hospital NICU, I am tremendously grateful to the kind, caring staff. I am committed to giving back to this wonderful organization by raising money and speaking at fundraising events. Because of my broadcasting background, I was asked to co-host the annual telethon on the Peoria, Ill. NBC affiliate.

  • Zoo Do Planning Committee (Chair in 2017)

    Miller Park Zoo

    - Present 9 years 7 months

    I served with other volunteers to organize and publicize largest fundraising event for local zoo. From soliciting donations from local businesses to running audio/visual to designing cupcakes, my wife and I were ready and willing to help however we can.

Honors & Awards

  • Bronze Quill Award of Excellence

    International Association of Business Communicators

    I was awarded the Bronze Quill in the Communication Skills/Writing category by the Chicago chapter of the IABC.

  • Clarion Award - Best Corporate Blog

    Association for Women in Communications

    Our six-person Public Affairs and Media Relations team received the Clarion Award for Best Corporate Blog.

    The Clarions honor excellence in more than 100 categories across all communications disciplines.

  • Clarion Award - Best Crisis Communication Campaign

    Association for Women in Communications

    Our six-person Public Affairs and Media Relations team received the Clarion Award for crisis communications for its response to the Nov. 17, 2013 tornadoes in central Illinois.

    The Clarions honor excellence in more than 100 categories across all communications disciplines — winners in other 2014 categories include USA Today, Wall Street Journal and American Public Media.

    The Clarion Award identifies PAMR for its strong communication, volunteer and donation coordination, and media…

    Our six-person Public Affairs and Media Relations team received the Clarion Award for crisis communications for its response to the Nov. 17, 2013 tornadoes in central Illinois.

    The Clarions honor excellence in more than 100 categories across all communications disciplines — winners in other 2014 categories include USA Today, Wall Street Journal and American Public Media.

    The Clarion Award identifies PAMR for its strong communication, volunteer and donation coordination, and media pitching during and following the disaster.

  • Distinguished Alumni

    Heartland Community College

    Veteran Broadcaster-PR Professional is HCC's 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

    Normal - HCC Alum Jay Verner, a public relations professional for COUNTRY Financial and a former broadcast journalist, is the College's 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient.

    Verner will deliver the address at this Saturday's commencement ceremony, sharing his personal achievements and demonstrating how Heartland Community College positioned him for a rewarding career and success in his…

    Veteran Broadcaster-PR Professional is HCC's 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

    Normal - HCC Alum Jay Verner, a public relations professional for COUNTRY Financial and a former broadcast journalist, is the College's 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient.

    Verner will deliver the address at this Saturday's commencement ceremony, sharing his personal achievements and demonstrating how Heartland Community College positioned him for a rewarding career and success in his philanthropic activities. Verner is the sixth recipient of the annual award, which recognizes individual career achievements and positive community impact while exhibiting Heartland values.

    "I feel extremely honored to receive this award,” Verner said. “I also feel very lucky to be part of a community that understands the value of a strong educational resource like HCC. I owe so much to Heartland for giving me the tools to be a contributing member in the community I love."

    Verner earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1997. A former news anchor and reporter for WJBC Radio and WMBD-TV, Verner currently serves as the Public Affairs and Media Relations Manager for COUNTRY Financial where he assists the company’s administration with their philanthropic initiatives.

    Giving back in his professional and personal life is important to Verner. “Not only has Jay used his knowledge and experiences gained at Heartland to better himself, he’s used that to give back to groups he’s passionate about,” said COUNTRY Financial Interactive and Social Media Analyst, Katie Eades, who nominated Verner for the award.

    Verner is passionate about raising money and awareness for Children’s Hospital of Illinois, where both of his children were patients. Additionally, he has been involved with the expansion efforts of the Community Cancer Center, volunteering his time to honor his grandparents who were affected by cancer.

  • Associated Press Award

    Associated Press

    Best Radio Newscast

  • Silverdome Award

    Illinois News Broadcasters Association

    Best Radio News Series

Organizations

  • Page Up Society

    -

    - Present

  • International Association of Business Communicators

    Member

    - Present

  • Insurers Public Relations Council

    Past president

    - Present

  • Insurance Information Institute

    Communications Subcommittee

    - Present

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