Note: Below is a sampling of the recommendations made about me on my LinkedIn page, where more references can be found. Thank you to all who gave me a thumbs-up endorsement.
Mike Butler, Consultant
Leo is a top notch communications specialist. Whether it is a multi-faceted communications plan that develops over months or an immediate response that is needed on deadline, Leo is able to deliver. He is attentive to nuance and subtle changes that distinct markets require. Leo handles all aspects of the job in a calm manner that often belies the chaos of a frenetic messaging campaign. Leo always provides sound and tailor made advice, it is never “cookie cutter, once size fits all” strategy. Leo’s background as a journalist enables him to particularly effective in the public relations realm. He has done great work for us and we consider him to be a valuable member of our team.
Fred Gerstler, President at One Pack, LLC
During my time as a local school board member, we had to deal with many different challenges. Frustration with the local press was always a consideration. It seemed that the local paper would report with their own personal slant or agenda. When Leo was assigned to our community I found him to be incredibly accurate and methodical with the facts. The articles written by Leo were honest, and vague of personal opinion.
Don Norman, Economist
Leo interviewed me regarding a piece I had written on the U.S. oil and natural gas production boom. He was very well prepared and asked the right questions. His subsequent article was accurate and very well done.
Eugene A. Racz, Esq., Associate Attorney at Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsk
Leo was a tenacious and talented reporter when we worked together at the Home News Tribune. Leo was able to get to the very heart of the stories he pursued and was highly productive and hard-working under the ever increasing demands of a busy newsroom. As tough and fearless as he was as a reporter, he is as affable and as pleasant of a person you’d ever want to meet. It was great working with him. Should this young man remotely meet any of your requisites for employment, do yourself and your company a large favor by hiring him.
Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
Having worked with Leo at Industry Today Media for several years, I can attest to his writing accuracy, speed and knowledgeable treatment of all subjects he tackled. Leo is a quick study and I believe will make a strong advocate for any organization for which he is affiliated. A strong “thumbs up” for Leo Rommel.
Lois Heyman, Copy Editor at 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds
I worked with Leo Rommel at Gannett’s New Jersey Group of newspapers, and found him to be a resourceful, creative, motivated and committed journalist. He covered beats in Carteret, South Amboy, Woodbridge and Edison with dedication and ingenuity, always making sure to hold town and district officials’ feet to the fire when reporting on municipal and school budgets and their accompanying tax levies. He never let them get away with fuzzy statements and made sure the reading public’s viewpoint was represented in print and online. I know that Leo hit the road tirelessly to cover breaking news on crime scenes, traffic accidents and storm damage. He compiled dozens upon dozens of contacts to get the inside scoop on corruption investigations at the state and federal levels.
Katie Vroom, Account Director at Affeck, Inc.
As a public relations practitioner, I have come to appreciate working with Leo as he is a well-prepared, thoughtful and enthusiastic counterpart who is consistently a pleasure to work with. He has become my go-to reporter in the industrial space and my clients love working with him. He not only helps make my job easier – clearly letting me know exactly what he needs and when he needs it by, he is also eager to expand his knowledge, looking to my clients for insights on top-of-mind issues. Leo goes above and beyond to make the interview experience a pleasurable one for everyone involved and his stories are always a big hit.
Lalita Aloor Amuthan, Journalist
Leo is a great colleague and a solid team player, always ready to step in when there is a need. I worked with him at the Home News Tribune and he did an excellent job filling in for my beat while I was away on leave. He is a thorough professional and his writing skills are exemplary.
Jared Kaltwasser, Educator, Writer and Editor
Leo and I were colleagues at the Home News Tribune, but I was a fan of his work even before I became his co-worker. Leo has a knack for engaging the reader. His stories combine solid reporting with an easy-to-read writing style.
Pam MacKenzie, former editor, Courier News
I worked closely with Leo for about a year when he was the Saturday reporter at the Home News Tribune and I was the Saturday online editor. I found him to be very thorough and deeply committed to getting things accurate. We worked on some wild stories together, and I always enjoyed it.
Matt Meenan, Senior Director of Public Affairs, The Aluminum Association
Leo was always the consummate professional when we worked together while he was an editor at Industry Today. Leo is smart, asks incisive questions and is a good writer.
Leo Rommel 