Gary Goodfriend, executive vice president at Chicago-based L.C. Williams & Associates, is retiring from the firm. Goodfriend, along with John DeFrancesco, started DeFrancesco/Goodfriend Public Relations in 1985. DeFrancesco/Goodfriend merged with L.C. Williams in 2001, and Goodfriend has been with LCWA since then.
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Gary GoodfriendA graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Goodfriend worked for a Chicago suburban newspaper chain before beginning his PR career at Edelman in 1974. After a brief return to journalism, he signed on with Harshe-Rotman & Druck, which merged with Ruder Finn in 1982. He also served several terms on the board of directors of the Publicity Club of Chicago.
“Although I initially planned a newspaper career,” he said, “the public relations path was even a better fit. Writing and media remained a focus, yet added to the mix were many opportunities for creativity and to get immersed in so many different industries. What could be better.”
In retirement, Goodfriend says he hopes to increase his involvement in political activities, as well as traveling and spending more time with his four grandsons.
LCWA came in at #69 on the 2017 O’Dwyer’s rankings of top PR firms, with over $4.5 million in 2016 net fees.
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