“We’ve always felt that Matt would be a strong addition to the bench strength of our team,” said Maril Gagen MacDonald, CEO.  “We serve highly sophisticated global companies. Matt brings the thought leadership and collaborative approach to execution that they’ve come to expect from our firm.  In addition to our complementary strategic capabilities, we share the same values and desire to do work that has a real impact on our clients’ businesses. Our team’s been recruiting Matt for years; we’re delighted to have finally succeeded!”

“After running communications and marketing functions in four major global companies for the past 19 years, now is a great time to apply those lessons serving multiple clients,” said Gonring. “I have the utmost respect for the brand and reputation Maril and her team have built. As a client, I’ve experienced first-hand their superior strategic thinking and client service.  I cannot imagine a better fit for me personally and professionally,” he added.

Gonring has led the marketing and communications function at Rockwell since 2002. His experience includes communications and marketing leadership roles with Baxter International, Arthur Andersen, and USG Corporation. He also spent eight years in the airline industry with United and Northwest earlier in his career. He’s been a 12-year graduate faculty member in Northwestern University’s Integrated Marketing Communications program and a Board member in a variety of not-for-profits and industry associations including the Arthur W. Page Society and The Institute for Public Relations.

About Gagen MacDonald

Gagen MacDonald, formed in 1998, consults and partners with leadership teams and their employees to drive business results. The firm is recognized as a leader among many of the Fortune 500 for its key competencies and industry-leading capabilities in employee engagement, organizational design and development, professional development, and training. The firm counsels many of the world’s largest corporations and global brands across all industry segments.

In 2005 the Holmes Group named Gagen MacDonald "Best Agency to Work for," an award the firm has received consecutively for the last several years.  In 2006 Gagen MacDonald became certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, based in Washington, D.D., in partnership with the Women's Business Development Center, Chicago.  Th WBE credential is nationally recognized amoung key decision makers in corporate supplier diversity and procurement.  For more information about Gagen MacDonald, contact the firm at 312/640-9100 or visit the website, www.gagenmacdonald.com.