We are leaders in our fields,
and links in a chain
The i.e. network was founded by marketing, media and public affairs professionals with specialized yet complementary skills, a history of achievement and civic involvement, and a shared commitment to marshaling our talents to advance the public good. We are:
Rick Kupchella rick@theienetwork.com
A 27-year veteran of broadcast journalism, Rick spent the last 20 years as a television news anchor and reporter in the Twin Cities.
In that time he developed a reputation – and a slew of national and international awards – for his ability to tackle complex topics for mainstream television news audiences, including government affairs, public policy, healthcare and safety.
Rick has also advanced major public policy issues at both the legislature and state Supreme Court in his capacity as president and past president of the state’s Society of Professional Journalists. Among his achievements, he spearheaded the drive for a new shield law for journalists and persuaded the court to move toward greater access for electronic media in state courts.
Rick is also the author of two children’s books – his most recent a tribute to girls (he’s the father of two) written in cooperation with United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Olympic great Jackie Joyner Kersee, and America’s first woman in space, Dr. Sally Ride.
Tom Mason tom@theienetwork.com
Tom Mason combines 35 years’ professional experience at the intersection of media, public policy and marketing.
He worked 13 years in and around the United States Senate, beginning as communications director for Senator Rudy Boschwitz, and subsequently serving as chief of staff in the Washington offices of Senators Jim Abdnor (R-SD) and Norm Coleman (R-MN).
While director of communications and research at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the political arm of the GOP leadership, he was named one of the “Rising Stars” of the national GOP.
For five years Tom was president of Gannon McCarthy Mason, a public affairs consulting firm with offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City.
As a journalist, he worked for two daily newspapers, spent three years as editor of a weekly financial journal, and for five years edited and published Twin Cities Business Monthly, a magazine five times named America’s best regional business magazine during his tenure.
Greg Heinemann greg@theienetwork.com
Greg Heinemann, is a founder and Managing Partner of Denali Marketing, a Minneapolis-based marketing firm whose expertise is building and revitalizing brands, providing strategic marketing support for clients and developing Loyalty Marketing programs with a focus on driving top-line growth and deeper, richer relationships with their constituents.
Denali’s clients include The Geek Squad, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Sun Country Airlines, and UnitedHealthcare among others. Greg has also developed comprehensive brand marketing and communication solutions for clients including such notables as Gateway Computer, Formica, Steinway, Universal Studios, Herman Miller, Piper Jaffray, UPM-Kymmene, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company and TBS.
Previous to forming Denali, Greg ran his own brand consulting practice, Blackwatch LLC, from 2002 until 2006. Prior to founding Blackwatch, Greg was President, Gage Marketing and President of Agency Eleven, an award winning branding and design firm. He has also held executive marketing and sales positions at Carlson Companies, CIGNA and Partners National Health Plans, a division of Aetna. Greg began his career at the Pabst Brewing Company in marketing management as well as at Land O’ Lakes Inc. He is a Director of the James J. Hill Foundation of St. Paul, a Director of Jumpnode Systems and a past Director of Minnesota Brewing Inc.
Greg is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a B.A. in Liberal Arts (1977) and holds an M.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame in International Relations (1982). He is married with two children and is a resident of Hopkins, Minnesota.