Stephen Ruppe

Stephen Ruppe is Principal and Founder of Steve Ruppe Public Relations which has partnered with Keller Partners to provide clients with a full suite of public relations services.

Steve has more than 25 years of public relations experience both with businesses and nonprofit organizations. His record of successful public relations campaigns includes: story placement in local, regional and national media, message development and discipline, large event planning, crisis communications, presentation skill building, and media training.

Steve served for 13 years as Public Relations Director of Russ Reid, the largest marketing and communications agency in the US dedicated to serving nonprofits. He continues to work closely with the company's clients, primarily Rescue Missions and Food Banks, as well as handling the company's own PR. His work with the Los Angeles Mission increased that organization's recognition in the community through the development of it's signature holiday events – featuring celebrities serving the homeless - with literally hundreds of media stories highlighting these events. He currently handles all aspects of Los Angeles Mission public relations.

Steve was an early adopter of the idea of building social media into the public relations practice, creating the opportunity for nonprofits to increase awareness, build audience and raise money. In the process he established methods and best practices for accomplishing these goals online.

Previously, Steve was Director of Public Affairs and principal spokesman for the Christian Men's Ministry Promise Keepers, where he managed the PR staff and volunteers for numerous stadium events and "Stand in the Gap" a national event on the National Mall in Washington, DC. More than 1,100 media attended the event, generating more than 10,000 news stories worldwide.

Steve's media background actually began in radio as an on-air announcer and news broadcaster. He advanced to television news, working his way from street reporter to anchor and producer. He eventually progressed to newsroom management as assignment editor and then to newsroom leadership as assistant news director and news director. He and his teams were recognized with AP newsgathering awards and Regional Emmy awards for news coverage.

Ruppe has been married for 35 years with 2 children and two grandchildren. He is an avid diver, gardener and amateur vintage sports car mechanic.