Jayna Kliner, Vice President
As Vice President, Jayna oversees the account teams at Welz & Weisel Communications and ensures the quality of performance and results across clients. With over 13 years of tech PR experience in both corporate communications and agency environments, Jayna has developed expertise in the areas of strategic planning, media and analyst relations, writing, crisis communications and message development.
From launching start-ups to providing public relations counsel to some of the nation’s best-known technology brands including AOL, VeriSign, Qualys and Verizon Business, Jayna focuses on delivering results that help her clients build industry awareness and market credibility.
Jayna graduated Cum Laude from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She is a member of Women in Technology and has a black belt in Taekwondo.
Wayne Schepens, Vice President
Wayne Schepens brings over 16 years of technical and government experience to Welz & Weisel Communications. As Vice President, he delivers product and corporate messaging, business strategy and positioning, as well as thought leadership services to innovative technology companies. Wayne has expertly advised companies through all phases of business from fund raising and start-up status to product launch and strategic acquisition.
His government service culminated with the National Security Agency (NSA) where in his most recent position he served as Chief of the Office of Global Network Awareness within the NSA Threat Operations Center. In addition, Wayne has worked with the U.S. Military Academy and Naval Surface Warfare Center.
He earned a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Engineering from SUNY Maritime College in Electrical Engineering. Wayne played semi-professional baseball and continues to coach and run clinics with Ripken Baseball.
Kristine Gager, Account Director
Kristine Gager brings over 10 years of public relations experience both internationally and in the United States to Welz & Weisel Communications. She has a strong focus in IP communications and security. Her media campaigns have led to successful placements across broadcast, print and online media including Computer Business Review, eWeek, Federal Computer Week, InfoWorld, News Channel 8 (Washington, D.C.), Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and WTOP radio to name a few. Kristine has also developed trusted relationships with analysts at top organizations such as Aberdeen, Forrester, Gartner and IDC.
Prior to Welz & Weisel Communications, Gager held various positions at Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm, most recently serving as an account manager in the Sydney, Australia office and leading the Samsung Electronics Australia account.
Chris Leach, Account Director
Chris Leach successfully drives public relations and social media campaigns for both public and private business-to-business and business-to-government clients in the areas of IT services, security, satellite and telecommunications. His has worked closely with clients to create messaging that resonates with key vertical and mainstream media outlets including Bank Systems & Technology, Businessweek, CIO, Forbes, Military Information Technology, PC World, Washington Technology and USA Today. Chris has also created speaking programs from the ground up, successfully positioning clients as industry and thought leaders at top industry tradeshows including CTIA, FOSE, Satellite 2009 and N+I.
In addition to past agency experience supporting technology clients across the country, Chris supported internal corporate communications as a member of the department of corporate affairs and communications for Iridium LLC, a satellite communications company in Washington, D.C.
Joyson Cherian, Account Director
Joyson Cherian has diverse public relations experience in telecommunications, network and Internet security, open source, software and wireless communications. With a passion for social media, Joyson creates strategies and implements communications programs for clients using Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Delicious. By leveraging these tools, Joyson is able to track client-specific news and insight, develop relationships with key industry influencers, media and analysts and provide counsel on the best ways to leverage social media to tell a story.
Previously, Joyson was with Cavalier Business Communications, where he oversaw new business acquisitions and renewals, as well as created awareness of company brand and products through inside and outside marketing techniques. Prior to Cavalier, Joyson worked with several agencies, including Ketchum Pubic Relations, handling public relations for various technology and government clients.
Nicole Nolte, Account Director
Nicole Nolte serves as an account lead working to support companies within the security, government, telecommunications and wireless industries. Nicole works with clients to communicate a message that resonates with their audiences and as a result is able to secure media coverage with outlets such as the AP, Government Computer News, Informationweek, Investors Business Daily and Wireless Week. In addition to managing accounts, Nicole provides strategic guidance across the agency as how to best implement today's social media tools for building communities, increasing brand awareness and creating relationships that matter. Nicole is a frequent speaker at industry events on the best use of social media tools for public relations and communications.
Prior to joining Welz & Weisel Communications, Nicole worked with Weber Shandwick Worldwide where she supported the Microsoft Mobile and Embedded Devices Group and OfficeTiger, an R.R. Donnelley company.