Ray Valek has achieved distinction as a writer, media relations expert, strategist, creative director, and project manager. He has exceptional experience working with clients in the health & medicine, science & technology, and education industries. He is personally involved in each and every client engagement.
As the president of Valek and Company, Inc., Ray has successfully completed assignments for nearly 60 organizations. Prior to starting the company, Ray was a vice president at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. Before that, he was on the marketing and public relations staff of the University of Chicago Medical Center. His work there was recognized with six Gold Quill Awards from the International Association of Business Communicators. He contributed to a Gold Halo Award from the Cause Marketing Forum for his work with Horace Mann Educators Corporation and DonorsChoose.org.
Ray takes great pride in being a working writer, spending a healthy percentage of his time crafting words for clients. Excellent writing underpins all Valek & Co. services, which include editorial and feature writing, media relations, Web content and social media development, executive communication including speechwriting and scriptwriting, medical and scientific writing, advertising and collateral, e-communication, brand development, case studies, communication planning, and more. Depending on the size and nature of a project, Ray works on his own or with team members with expertise in areas including Web development, social media, media buying, graphic design, photography, training, and marketing research to produce communication programs that achieve outstanding business results.
Ray is an accredited business communicator (ABC), a proud member of the Max Achium ice hockey club, a graduate of The Second City's Beginning Program for improvisational comedy, and a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.