daniel j. cherrin 313.300.0932 | dcherrin@me.com | www.danielcherrin.com LinkedIn. Twitter. Instagram.
Strategic Communications + Public Affairs + Stakeholder Engagement PROFILE Daniel Cherrin has the unique ability to blend business insight and legal strategy with legislative affairs, media relations and public policy, helping organizations enhance their reputation and profile among key stakeholders. Cherrin, an attorney, was appointed by Detroit Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel, Jr. as the Communications Director and Press Secretary for the City of Detroit in September 2008, and served until the end of the Mayor’s term. He also served as the lead federal lobbyist for the Detroit Regional Chamber where he led a bi-national coalition of government and industries to ensure people and commerce crossed the border efficiently. Cherrin is the founder of a public strategies firm offering public relations, public policy facilitation, public affairs and crisis management services. He serves on a number of nonprofit boards, is married and is the father of three.
ACHIEVEMENTS MEDIA RELATIONS • •
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Served as spokesperson for the City of Detroit, Mackinac Island, Detroit Bulk Storage, The Ann Arbor Art Fair and an 1,800 MW off shore wind farm proposal in southwest Ontario. Secured pre and post national media exposure for The New York Times Salute Our Heroes career fair and job expo, with national and local news outlets, including: The Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Paul Harvey, the Voice of America and others. “Salute Our Heroes” realized outstanding attendance by more than 5,000 veterans and more than 175 blue-chip exhibitors. Developed and implemented communications strategies and plans to support The District Detroit, a 55-block, mixed-use development, anchored by a new hockey arena for The Detroit Red Wings and an expanded corporate campus for Ilitch Holdings.
CRISIS MANAGEMENT • • •
Led a bi-national coalition of business and political leaders to keep the U.S. Canadian Border open shortly after 9.11.01. Protected the reputation of The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) after a nurse accidently disposed of a kidney during a kidney transplant surgery. Minimized any damage to the reputation of The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority following a federal investigation by Department of Homeland Security.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS + PUBLIC AFFAIRS • •
Secured language in the FY08 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1585, House Rpt 110-477) prohibiting the Department of Defense from not only selling F-14 parts, but also “any tooling or dies used in the manufacture of such aircraft or parts.” Successfully lobbied the Department of Homeland Security to add two NEXUS lanes at the Detroit Windsor Tunnel.
FACILITATION •
Facilitated an urban transit strategy as part of a countywide transit plan for Washtenaw County (Mich.), including a series of meetings with locally elected officials. For a full portfolio of experience & results visit: https://seelio.com/danielcherrin
26694 Humber, Huntington Woods, MI 48070
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daniel j. cherrin 313.300.0932 | dcherrin@me.com | www.danielcherrin.com LinkedIn. Twitter. Instagram.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE President, North Coast Strategies | Partner, M10 Marketing, 2007-2010; 2013-Present Cherrin established a boutique public affairs agency providing public relations, crisis management, government relations and dispute resolution services to organizations ranging from corporations, universities, international border crossings, quasi-government agencies, governments and individuals. Cherrin also is a partner in M10, an integrated marketing agency. Select Accomplishments: • Worked to resolve issues and concerns involving the storage of petroleum coke along the Detroit River, that gained national media attention (MSNBC, Politico, The Daily Show, CBC and The Wall Street Journal), in addition to the interest of the United States Congress and Canadian Parliament, by developing strategic relations with community activists and serving as the company’s spokesperson. • Advised the Detroit Windsor Tunnel on key messages and legislative outreach during their voluntary bankruptcy, which included coverage in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CBC, Maclean’s and others. • Successfully represented the University of Toledo through a crisis involving the Medical Center’s kidney transplant program that gained national media attention on Fox & Friends, ABC News, Good Morning America and Chelsea Lately. • Secured national media for a global glass manufacturer products and projects. • Worked to minimize any damage to the reputation of the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority following a federal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security. Attorney-Lobbyist and Marketing Director, Fraser Trebilcock, 2010-2012 Cherrin served as a member of the firm’s management team, leading the marketing and communications efforts for a 55-member law firm, while maintaining an active public affairs, crisis management and public relations practice. Select Accomplishments: • Served as an attorney and spokesperson for the Mackinac Island city government during a dispute with the ferry operators servicing the Island and created a media relations plan to support the litigation team representing Mackinac Island before the courts and Public Service Commission. • Successfully advised the VFW National Home for Children after a government investigation uncovered an unfortunate pattern of actions by one of their employees that eventually led to her arrest. • Developed a national PR strategy for Vistage International, positioning their CEO as a national thought leader on small business issues, through the release of a quarterly CEO index, leading to consistent coverage in The Wall Street Journal, FOX Business News and CNBC. Communications Director, City of Detroit, Press Secretary Mayor of Detroit. 2008-2009 Served as the official spokesperson for the City of Detroit and a senior member of the Mayor’s Cabinet. Cherrin also supervised a communications team that included public information officers from city departments and was responsible for creating and executing a comprehensive communications strategy and overall strategic plan for the city following the previous mayor’s resignation with only 14 days for the transition. Select Accomplishments: • Responded to every media inquiry from every media outlet, including international media, requesting interviews, comments or statements, on issues related to: the collapse of America’s Auto Industry, Detroit’s financial crises, the beginning of the 2008 recession and major media events such as: the NCAA Final Four, the ongoing government investigations of public officials, the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the North American International Auto Show. • Prepared statements, speeches, proclamations, letters and other communications on the mayor’s behalf, including the State of the City.
26694 Humber, Huntington Woods, MI 48070
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daniel j. cherrin 313.300.0932 | dcherrin@me.com | www.danielcherrin.com LinkedIn. Twitter. Instagram.
Vice President Caponigro Public Relations, Inc., 2005-2007 As a member of the executive management team for one of Detroit’s most respected public relations firms, Cherrin provided senior-level public relations and public affairs counsel to clients in a variety of industries. Select Accomplishments: § Secured national media attention for The New York Times and their Salute Our Heroes career fair in Chicago, including a segment on Paul Harvey’s, The Rest of the Story. § Secured language in the FY08 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1585, House Rpt 110-477) encouraging the Defense Department to destroy any remaining F-14s and sell the resultant scrap as appropriate. General Counsel to StartUpNation | Vice President of Public I, Sloan Ventures, 2003-2005 Cherrin served as the managing director of a venture-backed, boutique strategic communications firm. Portfolio clients included: technology companies; retail and restaurants; professional firms; non-profits; an international border crossing; associations; and, municipalities. Select Accomplishments: • Provided ongoing strategic legal counsel to a national multi-media start-up company, specializing in providing information and inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, with a nationally syndicated radio show in over 55 markets, including the negotiation of various contracts and revenue-sharing agreements, relating to radio, new media, strategic partnerships and general agreements between vendors and sponsors, with companies including: Microsoft, Legalzoom, the IRS, and the SBA. • Created and managed, 10 Steps to Open for Business, an on-line educational resource. Federal Lobbyist, Detroit Regional Chamber. 2000-2003 Cherrin managed the federal government relations program for the nation’s largest regional Chamber on issues including: border management, economic development, health care, trade, and transportation and infrastructure. Select Accomplishments: • Forged bi-national coalitions of civic and business leaders around legislative and media campaigns involving trade, workforce related issues, health care and economic development in Southeastern Michigan. • Coordinated a regional border initiative, resulting in 145 additional customs and immigration agents, and the deployment of the Michigan National Guard at the Michigan/Ontario border. • Established and led a federal PAC to advance the Chamber’s political support at a national level. Attorney Miller Schpiece & Andrews, P.C., 1998-2000 Cherrin managed all aspects of an active litigation practice, in state and federal courts at a boutique litigation firm. This included research and writing, court appearances, drafting and argument of substantive and procedural motions, discovery and deposition practice and, preparation for mediation and trial. Areas of practice include: • Appellate advocacy, no-fault automobile insurance, personal injury, brain injury, litigation, appellate law, collections, worker’s compensation, contracts, and probate administration, before Michigan District and Circuit Courts, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court and U.S. District Court.
26694 Humber, Huntington Woods, MI 48070
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daniel j. cherrin 313.300.0932 | dcherrin@me.com | www.danielcherrin.com LinkedIn. Twitter. Instagram.
EDUCATION + CERTIFICATION + PROFESSIONAL LICENSES Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Mich., Juris Doctor, 1998 Pepperdine University School of Law - The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Coursework in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Malibu, Calif., 1997 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., B.A. Political Science, 1995 Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan Michigan SCAO Approved Civil Mediator
LEADERSHIP • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Yad Ezra, Board Member since 2014 Detroit Jewish News Foundation, Board Member since 2012 Congregation Beth Shalom, Vice President (2012-2014), Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee Michigan Society of Association Executives, Chair of their Leadership Committee, 2011-2013 Jewish Federation of Detroit, Government Relations Committee since 2011 Urban League of Southeastern Michigan, Board Member, 2010-2013 MS Society, Board Member, 2009-2014, Chair of PR Committee Detroit News Hub, Member of the PR Committee since 2009 Michigan Political Leadership Program, Board Member since 2008, Member of the Finance Committee Engineering Society of Detroit, Board member, 2007-2011 Childhelp-Detroit, President, 2006-2007 Downtown Development Authority, Berkley, Mich., 2003-2006 State Bar of Michigan -- Member since 1995, Elected to the Representative Assembly in 2010, Member of Law & Media Committee, ADR Section on Government Disputes and PMRC Committee
HONORS + AWARDS • • • •
Top Lawyer in Detroit for Government Relations Law, dbusiness Magazine (2013) George N. Bashara, Jr. Award, ADR Section, State Bar of Michigan (2011) MPLP Fellowship, Michigan State University (2003) Crain’s Detroit Business “40 Under 40” (2003)
MEDIA Cherrin appeared as a guest political analyst on Canada’s A Channel, "The Inquiry", which aired weekly in Windsor, London and Ottawa. Cherrin also has appeared on Let It Rip on FOX 2 News Detroit (WJBK) and is a periodic contributor to The Detroit Jewish News. Cherrin frequently posts advice and commentary on his own blog found at northcoaststrategies.com and is quoted in a variety of publications and blogs, including: Michigan Lawyers Weekly USA Today Detroit Jewish News The Christian Science Monitor
The Wall Street Journal Crain’s Detroit Business Metro Times NPR
The Associated Press Detroit News CBC Radio Pensions & Investments
26694 Humber, Huntington Woods, MI 48070
Reuters Detroit Free Press The Windsor Star Michigan Chronicle
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daniel j. cherrin 313.300.0932 | dcherrin@me.com | www.danielcherrin.com LinkedIn. Twitter. Instagram.
Results. “I appreciate what you have done to help open doors for us…” Dr. Alan Wildeman, President of the University of Windsor
“You think of things that we don’t, but raise our visibility. We have never had that, so it’s much appreciated.” John Kerr, Detroit Wayne County Port Authority
“Dan has very good economic development and political connections in Michigan and beyond, which he leverages well for strategic comm. & business connections for his clients.” Karolyn Hart, Vice President, Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation
“Daniel, Thank you for providing the data, explaining it, etc. It's much appreciated.” Sarah E. Needleman Small Business Editor & Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
"The article you published in the electronic newspaper went to the CEO of Shikun & Binui environment and the CEO of Shikun & Binui who was very satisfied from it and sent it to the entire management. It was very important!!!!" Eran Eizik, Shikun & Binui
"Dan, The article is beautiful. On behalf of the rest of northeast Ohio, thank you all for all your hard work. How incredible is it to see this move forward. I am in awe." Mayor Chris Conley, Grand River, Ohio
“Daniel is an effective communicator because he works at it. Its important that Detroiters know Mayor Cockerel’s position on the issues affecting city government and Daniel has been the point person, making sure that the Mayor's message is accurately conveyed. His energy, ability and communication style has been an asset during Mayor Cockrel's transition from City Council to the office of Mayor.” Darchelle Strickland Love, Chief of Staff to Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrel
Again thanks for all your help with our reporters at The News. It is indeed a breathe of fresh air after all the past turmoil and your professionalism is very much appreciated. Bill McMillan, Assistant Managing Editor Metro/Sports (Ret.), The Detroit News
26694 Humber, Huntington Woods, MI 48070
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