EILER CHAIRMAN PROFILED
IN BUSINESS REVIEW
 Larry Eiler, chairman of Eiler Communications,
was featured as the Executive Profile in the December 23-29,
2004 edition
of the Washtenaw/Livingston
Business Review.
Executive Profile: Larry Eiler, Chairman, Eiler
Communications Background: Eiler founded Eiler Communications, an
Ann Arbor-based public relations, marketing and investor relations
firm
in 1987.
He operates the company with his wife, Sandy.
He moved to Ann Arbor in 1980 from Minneapolis,
where he was head of public relations for Minneapolis-based Honeywell
Regulator Co. While at Honeywell, he was recruited by Comshare Inc.
to move to Ann Arbor. He also was vice president of marketing at Machine
Vision International before starting his own business.
Eiler was born and raised in Syracuse, N.Y., and
attended Syracuse University. While in college, he attended classes
during the day and worked as a newspaper reporter at The Post-Standard
and Syracuse Herald Journal at night, which is how he paid his
way through both undergraduate and graduate school. It was around
that time that he met Sandy, to whom he's been married for 40
years.
Eiler Communications employs eight people and represents
companies throughout the United States, including Pittsfield Township-based
ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, Pfizer Inc., and Los Angeles-based Avery
Dennison Corp.
Outside of his business, Eiler is active in cancer
research. He is the author of "When the Woman You Love Has Breast
Cancer," inspired by his personal experience dealing with Sandy's
breast cancer diagnosis. He is writing two more books: one about cancer
and another one about heart issues.
Eiler also sits on the board of Seattle-based Haakon
Ragde Cancer Foundation, which helps raise money for different organizations
that study cancer.
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Syracuse
University; master's degree in journalism, Syracuse University.
Family: Wife, Sandy; seven children: Tracy, Jennifer,
Derek, Lauren, Jerrett, Sean and Meghan; four grandchildren: Luke,
Alex, Aaron and Ryan, plus two more grandchildren on the way.
Residence: Scio Township.
Insights
Essential Business Philosophy: I like to deal in possibilities.
I always try to see what's possible out of any situation... and
turn possibilities into
things that really happen.
Best way to keep your competitive edge: Be up to speed
on the latest techniques of the business that you have, which in our
case is helping our clients become more well known among key audiences
they need to reach. You have to know the PR business, and you have
to know how it changes and how technology drives it.
Guiding principle: Always try to find and say something
nice about everyone.
Yardstick of success: My family,
and how can I help them be successful?
Goal yet to be achieved: There's really two: number
one is a productive apple orchard. I put an apple orchard in my
property a few years ago, but it isn't productive yet and I want
it to be. The second thing is using creative ability to write more
books and essays.
Judgment calls
Best business decision: Starting my own business,
because I'm pretty independent and I like to be independent.
Worst business decision: None, because I deal in possibilities,
and any decision you make, if it's the wrong thing you find out and
you do something to put the thing back on a cement road.
Biggest missed opportunity: None.
Mentor: The Rev. Bob Thomas. He was a minister that
I knew for a lot of my earlier life and he was always a good mainstay
of anything that I did.
Words that best describe you: Creative and thoughtful.
Confessions
Like best about the job: Dealing with nice, fun people
who believe that business and doing business can be fun and enjoyable
and doesn't have to be all drudgery.
Like least about the job: There isn't anything I don't
like about this, because it's independence and you're always dealing
with how to fix things or help companies and clients.
What keeps you up at night: Nothing.
Pet peeve: Smoking.
What did you eat for breakfast? Mueslix and a banana.
Peanut butter - crunchy or smooth? Crunchy.
Most important lesson learned: Failing is not failure,
but failing drives you to succeed.
Person you'd most like to meet: Tom Brokaw
Most respected competitor: Anybody that does this
similar work to us, they're all good in their own way. So, I respect
every one of them.
Two great passions: Family and helping other people.
First choice for a new career: Giving lectures about
topics that I have something to say on, and that could be helpful
to other people.
Treasures
Favorite quote: "Anything worth doing is worth doing
right."
Favorite cause: Educating people about cancer.
Favorite authors: John Grisham and Clive Cussler.
Favorite movie: I don't think I have any one favorite.
Favorite food: The last couple years, it's been a
lot of fruits and vegetables.
Favorite restaurant: Knight's.
How do you find peace? You find it best within yourself,
and I have very good techniques for doing that... sometimes (it's
taking) a walk around the building or (going) home early and (making)
a fire in the fireplace.
Favorite vacation spot: I think the thing that's becoming
the favorite is my son in Atlanta has a new lodge on top of a mountain
in northwest Georgia.
Favorite way to spend free time: Reading.
Automobile: Audi convertible.
-- by Jennifer Daniel Szymanski
 P.S.
Following the publication of the profile in Business Review, Larry's
fifth grandchild, Joseph Robert Eiler,
arrived on February 4,
2005 --
a "perfect ten!"
PHILANTHROPY PROVIDES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
By Jennifer Cornell
When considering professional development activities, many look
to associations and organizations that cater to their specific industry.
Few consider that many non-profit organizations need professional
assistance and volunteers with specific skills.
No matter your personal expertise or professional skills, you can
volunteer and make a difference in your local community. Non-profits,
including the American
Red Cross, Ann
Arbor Art Center, the Michigan
Humane Society and Hospice of
Michigan, can utilize a variety
of volunteer skills, from public relations to finance management
to
computer
programming.
I am proud to serve the metro Detroit area as public affairs volunteer
for the Southeastern Michigan
Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Public affairs volunteers for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter
of the American Red Cross have a unique opportunity to develop their
skills, while at the same time help those in need and support a
vital community service. Public affairs volunteers gain first-hand
media relations experience and develop skills that are critical
to working with TV, radio and print news outlets.
As part of my responsibilities at Eiler Communications, I am pleased
to serve as public relations counsel for the Ann Arbor Art Center's
annual gala fundraising event, WineFest. WineFest attracts many
local business leaders, making it an excellent networking opportunity.
The opportunity to work with wine, food and art journalists provides
a unique chance to develop professional contacts and skills.
While professional organizations, such as the Public
Relations Society of America, offer a variety of skill-boosting
seminars and meetings, the hands-on skill development offered
through a volunteer
position is invaluable. There is a tremendous need by non-profits
in the metro Detroit area for many different types of professional
skills; a professional development opportunity that fits your needs
is available right in your back yard!
Personal development is as important as professional development!
Imagine relaxing after a stressful day by taking a walk with a grateful
friend. Sound good? The Huron Valley
Humane Society, in Ann Arbor,
offers the opportunity to volunteer as a dog walker. Volunteers
set their own hours, allowing busy professionals to donate their
time before or after work, or even only on the weekends. Prefer
felines to canines? The Humane Society is also seeking cat comforters,
volunteers who talk to, play with and calm cats who are waiting
to be adopted.
The ability to find balance between work and fun is key to personal
success. Combining professional development and helping others in
need is a win-win situation for those looking to improve their skills,
boost their contacts and referrals and support vital community services
all at the same time.
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