Leonard Greenberger joined the AKCG team this summer as a senior counselor and the director of AKCG’s Washington, D.C. office. We sat down with Leonard to ask him a few questions about his professional journey, specifically surrounding his communications experience.
Q: What brought you to the communications field?
A: It’s in my blood. My paternal grandfather owned movie theaters (interesting fact: Paul Newman worked as an usher at one). My father spent his career in newspaper advertising. My brother is a broadcaster. I tried engineering in college because I was pretty good at math and science, but it didn’t take.
Q: Where are your area(s) of expertise in communications?
A: Crisis and risk communication, especially when they apply to community engagement. And more broadly, helping scientists, researchers and other technical experts communicate with non-technical audiences. I like to think that my engineering coursework wasn’t a complete waste of time.
Q: What drew you to the AKCG team?
A: I got to know Anne and Jerry, the firm’s founders, many years ago when both of our firms belonged to a now-defunct network of independent PR agencies, and since then I’ve stayed in touch with Chris and Mike. I’ve always admired the firm’s work and philosophy. When the opportunity came to join AKCG and help it grow, especially in Washington, D.C., I jumped at it.
Q: So, AKCG is growing into the D.C. area. What role will you serve there?
A: I’ll spend part of my day counseling the firm’s existing clients, including our independent schools in and around D.C. But my main role will be to build our business here, especially among trade associations and professional societies.
Q: What do you do when you’re not “in the office?” (Or how are you keeping busy during COVID?)
My girlfriend and I have eight kids between us, ranging from eight-years-old to 25. And we welcomed our second grandchild in April. That keeps me busy. When I have time, I like to run, read, and relax. I also have a passion for aviation, so I love to travel – the farther, the better.
