Who We Are

Joan McCoy (resume) and Suzanne Lagoni (resume) are partners in Nexus Northwest, a consulting firm that offers services in community relations and communication planning. Before starting their company in 2000, they jointly managed community relations and communication programs at ARCO Alaska, now ConocoPhillips Alaska.

Joan’s professional career includes work with the Anchorage Daily News and the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau. She was a journalist with several newspapers and magazines and served as a legislative and press aide to former Congressman James Florio. She also served as the Executive Director for a nonprofit organization. Joan has a master’s degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland.

Suzanne began her professional career in Montana in 1974 as a journalist working in both newspapers and television. She also served as communications director and chief of staff for U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana. Suzanne has a journalism degree from the University of Montana and did advanced study in journalism and law at the University of Michigan. She is an adjunct faculty member at both the University of Alaska Anchorage where she teaches marketing for nonprofit organizations.

RESUME -- JOAN MCCOY

EDUCATION

Masters Degree, Communication, 1983. Bachelors Degree, Government and Politics, 1979. Both from the University of Maryland, College Park. Certificate in Fundraising Management, Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, 1999.

EXPERIENCE

Partner, Nexus Northwest LLC, 2000 to present

Community Relations Manager, ARCO Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, 1987-99.

Marketing Services Manager, Anchorage Daily News, Anchorage, Alaska, 1985-87.

Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Anchorage Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Anchorage, Alaska, 1984-85.

Public Relations Director, Utah Travel Council, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1983-84.

Executive Director, USO, Kaiserslautern, West Germany, 1980-83.

Journalist, Food Chemical News, Washington, D.C., 1979-80.

Legislative Assistant, Congressman James J. Florio, Washington D.C., 1977-79.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Board Member

Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Chair

Alaska Council on Economic Education, Past Board Chair

University of Alaska Anchorage, Business Policy Advisory Council

Alaska Community Foundation, Past Executive Committee Member

Hanlon Foundation, Trustee

Koahnic Broadcasting Corporation, Community Advisory Board Member

RESUME -- SUZANNE LAGONI

EDUCATION

Bachelors Degree, Journalism, University of Montana, 1978.

EXPERIENCE

Partner, Nexus Northwest LLC, 2000 to present

Adjunct Professor at both the University of Alaska and Seattle University, teaching classes in nonprofit marketing and public relations, 2001 to present

Public Relations and Communications Manager, ARCO Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, 1994-99.

Public Affairs Manager, Atlantic Richfield Company, Anaconda, Montana, 1992-94.

Communications Director for Senator Max Baucus. Washington D.C., 1986-92.

Journalist in Residence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1985-86.

Adjunct Professor, University of Montana School of Journalism, Missoula, Montana, 1979-85.

News Director, KPAX Television, Missoula, Montana, 1978-81 and 1984-85, and KNDO Television, Yakima, Washington, 1982-83.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Public Relations Society of America

Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Past Co-chair of Alaska Committee

Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member

Philanthropy Northwest

Rotary International

Anchorage / Seattle Economic Cooperation Council - appointed by Mayor Greg Nickels