Members

Professional Bio:

Jennifer E. Mercer is the principal and founder of Van Meter Consultants (VMC), a strategic communications consultancy, and has been providing strategic communications leadership to businesses for more than15 years. With wide-ranging industry experience managing complex issues, Ms. Mercer is a versatile communications expert who knows how to promote brands and protect reputations. A specialist in transactional communications, she is knowledgeable in the many facets of crisis and corporate communications, employee and financial/investor communications, media relations, and program development including assignments in the following industries: energy, financial services, homebuilding, retail, media, non-profit, pharmaceuticals, professional services, restaurant, retail and technology.

A capable leader, Ms. Mercer works closely with companies—from the C-suite to Main Street—conceiving strategies and conveying business transactions. Working in lock-step with internal corporate teams and company advisors, she is known as an effective collaborator and coach who consistently delivers world-class results. Recent engagements include: Hawaiian Telcom, International Aluminum Corporation, Mesa Air Group, Panavision, Samsonite Company Stores, TOUSA, Turtle Wax and Woodside Homes.

Ms. Mercer’s experience includes developing and managing critical communications programs for clients at some the world’s leading organizations, including MWW Group, Hill & Knowlton, and Sitrick & Company. Highlights include: leading financial communications, crisis communications and corporate social responsibility for Sun MicroSystems; managing strategy and crisis communications for Enron during its widely watched reorganization; conceiving strategies for conveying corporate restructurings or major business transitions at Covad Communications, Barney’s New York, Einstein/Noah Bagel Company, Loewen Group, Service Merchandise, and Washington Group International; designing and implementing targeted initiatives for DirecTV, ICN Pharmaceuticals, Motorola, In-N-Out Burger, Sara Lee Food and Beverage, Capital Group Companies and Korea IT (KIN), among others.

Prior to founding VMC, Ms. Mercer managed public relations for the CEO of Hitatchi Data Systems, where she drove executive visibility, both internally and externally, through a multi-faceted communications program that generated extensive media interest and news coverage. Ms. Mercer’s operating experience also includes serving as director of communications of BMC Group, a leading information-management and professional services firm, where she was a member of the executive team and established the company’s investor relations practice.

Ms. Mercer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California San Diego. She sits on the boards of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), Southern California Chapter and International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) where she also serves as the Vice Director, Communications Committee. She is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She is a published author and frequent speaker.

Ms. Mercer can be reached at jmercer@vanmeterconsultants.com or 818-981-2800.