CLEARWATER COMMUNICATIONS
Clearwater Communications is a full-service association management and public relations firm located in Bismarck, North Dakota. Founded in 2001, the firm has grown to 18 association management and communication professionals and support staff.
The Clearwater staff has a thorough understanding of all aspects of providing management, communication and administrative services for a wide variety of nonprofit, business and government clients in the areas of association management, government relations, meeting and event planning, financial and database management, communication, and strategic planning, publishing, and more.
LEAD TEAM
Shannon Schutt
President
Shannon leads the day-to-day operations of Clearwater Communications, working closely with the team to meet client needs as well as providing services for a few of the client associations. Before being named president in July 2022, Shannon served as vice president of operations and as an account executive. She has been employed at Clearwater since 2017 helping clients grow and thrive through association management, communications, meeting and event planning, and government relations. She holds a degree in public relations and advertising from North Dakota State University.
In her free time, Shannon is a true crime buff and coffee connoisseur. She also enjoys spending time with her family and bulldog Mack. She is originally from Bismarck, N.D.
Robin Pursley
Vice President of Creative Services
Robin oversees all aspects of Clearwater Communications’ creative services. Robin’s 24 years of experience in the journalism field and 19 years within Clearwater’s creative services has created a strong understanding of clients’ communication needs. Among Clearwater’s notable publications are the North Dakota Blue Book, North Dakota Horizons magazine, The Gavel and the award-winning Minnesota Adventuring magazine. She has degrees from Bismarck State College and Dickinson State University.
In her spare time, Robin volunteers with Central Dakota Humane Society, enjoys taking trips on the Harley-Davidson and spending time with her adult children. She is a Bismarck, N.D., native.
Miranda Hoffert
Chief Finance Officer
Miranda serves as the chief financial officer for Clearwater Communications. Her prior work experience includes working at Northwestern Federal Savings and Loan. Since 1988, she has provided office and financial management services to numerous organizations, associations and businesses. Miranda has provided her skillset and expertise to Clearwater since it was founded in 2001. She earned her legal secretary associate degree from Valley City State College.
In her spare time, Miranda enjoys camping, fishing, reading and, most importantly, spending time with her grandkids. She is originally from Balta, N.D.
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Jack Dwyer
Legal Advisor
Jack provides legal guidance and advice to the leadership team to ensure Clearwater Communications is compliant with all business regulations and requirements. He is a lawyer with his firm, Dwyer Law Office, located in Fargo where he provides legal services in the areas of real estate and water to clients in North Dakota and Minnesota. He is also a registered lobbyist and routinely works closely with state and local decision makers on projects, funding and policy. Jack graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. in 2004 with a degree in accounting, and he graduated from University of North Dakota School of Law in 2009 with distinction. He is licensed in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Jack has a passion for his family, baseball and the outdoors, and he loves North Dakota. He is originally from Bismarck, N.D.
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Alyssa Glass
Alyssa Glass assists with association management, communication services, meeting and event planning, and public policy. She graduated from Dickinson State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business/marketing and international agribusiness. Prior to joining Clearwater Communications, she worked in the banking sector and interned with the North Dakota Trade Office, while earning her degree.
In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors on the farm/ranch and spending time with family and friends. She is originally from Elgin, N.D.
Dana Hager
Dana Hager assists with association management, communication services, meeting and event planning, and public policy. She has a business education degree from Minot State University and a diverse professional background in both the public and private sectors. Her professional career includes fundraising and community outreach for the Bismarck Cancer Center, business development and marketing with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and over 14 years with the Minot Park District, where she had many roles, including serving as the Roosevelt Park Zoo Director.
In her free time, Dana enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering in the community, exploring the outdoors and hitting the gym. She grew up on a farm/ranch near Barton, N.D.
Lesley Icenogle
Lesley Icenogle assists with association management, communication services, meeting and event planning, and public policy. She graduated from Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science. Before joining Clearwater Communications, Lesley worked in nonprofit development for 15 years, most recently as development director for North Dakota’s Gateway to Science.
In her free time, Lesley enjoys spending time with her family and friends, serving in her church, exercising, and traveling. She is originally from Houston, Texas, but has lived in Bismarck since 2015.
Laura Lacher
Laura Lacher assists with association management, communication services, meeting and event planning, and public policy. Prior to joining Clearwater Communications, she worked in the banking sector and has nine years of professional experience. She graduated from Valley City State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing.
In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, cooking and baking, and traveling. She is originally from Mandan, N.D.
Annika Plummer
Annika Plummer assists with association management, communication services, and meeting and event planning. Prior to joining Clearwater Communications, she worked for her alma mater, Dickinson State University, in the Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies for 11 years and worked at Clearwater Communications prior to her move to Dickinson. Annika is a Class VIII graduate of the Rural Leadership North Dakota program. She is the self-published author of three books.
In her free time, she enjoys walking outdoors, baking, quilting, helping on the family ranch, and spending time with family and friends. She is originally from Sims, ND.
COMMUNICATIONS & CREATIVE SERVICES TEAM
Annie Bennett
Marketing Manager
Annie assists clients in sales, event planning and marketing. Prior to working at Clearwater Communications, she was a marketing and event coordinator for G1 Group in Glasgow, Scotland. She holds a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from North Dakota State University.
In her free time, Annie enjoys camping, reading and spending time with her family and pets. She is a native of Bismarck, N.D.
Kylie Blanchard
Account Manager
Kylie meets the needs of clients through clear written communication and attention to detail. She has more than 15 years of experience in the communications field, which includes publication coordination, writing, editing, and grant writing. Her previous experience includes working as a grant writer for Coal Country Community Health Center in Beulah, N.D., and working as a freelance writer and editor in Bismarck. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in technical writing from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
In her free time, Kylie enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors or at the lake and reading. She is originally from Bismarck, N.D.
Jim Collins, Jr.
Education/Outreach Specialist
Jim assists clients with their association management, website maintenance, event planning and education needs. Prior to working at Clearwater Communications, he spent 30 years as a watershed liaison and information/education coordinator with the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. He was named the 2004 Environmental Educator of the Year by the N.D. Forest Service and received the 2015 Appreciation Award from the N.D. Conservation District Employees Association for providing assistance to N.D. Soil Conservation Districts. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Valley City State University.
Jim’s free time is spent in the outdoors; hunting, ice fishing or spending time at the lake with family and friends.
Shelly Duppong
Graphic Designer
Shelly creates visually appealing and eye-catching designs for a variety of publications including North Dakota Horizons, The Gavel, and FOCUS magazines. She enjoys working with clients and developing work relationships with them. Shelly has more than 25 years of experience in the graphic design field. She has degrees in associate arts from Bismarck State College, desktop publishing and design and graphic arts degrees from Northwest College in Wyo., and a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University.
Shelly loves spending time with her husband and four children and cheering them on at various extracurricular activities. She also enjoys photography, baking and working on creative projects.
Michaela Kauk
Communication Specialist
Michaela Kauk assists with communications, meeting and event planning, marketing, and public relations to a variety of clients. Before working at Clearwater Communications, she interned with Mandan Park District as a marketing specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in public relations from the University of Mary.
In her free time, Michaela enjoys outdoor summer activities including golf, slow-pitch softball, and watching the Minnesota Twins. She also likes to spend time with her pet cat, Bert, and dog, Marney. Michaela is a Bismarck, N.D., native.
Scooter Pursley
Senior Communication Specialist
Scooter assists clients with association management, communication services, meeting and event planning, and public policy. He also assists Clearwater Communications staff through his writing and editing expertise and all other communication needs. He has worked in the communication and marketing fields for 42 years. Prior to joining Clearwater, he was an information specialist for the North Dakota Tourism Division for 20 years. Scooter attended Dickinson State University.
In his free time, Scooter enjoys long trips with his wife, Robin, on their Harley-Davidson. Scooter is a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., but has lived in Bismarck for over 30 years.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Danielle Hauck
Finance Officer
Danielle provides financial management and administrative support to clients, including membership management and bookkeeping services. Danielle has been employed by Clearwater Communications since 2004 and has a degree from Bismarck State College.
Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and when time allows, a Hallmark movie. She is originally from Elgin, N.D.
Angela Kiesz
Office Administrator
Angela provides Clearwater Communications staff and their clients with office administration, customer service, meeting and event planning services. She implements the day-to-day operations of the front office while coordinating team building, communications, IT and client project support. She is also a contributing writer for North Dakota Horizons magazine. She has eight years’ experience with organizational development, leadership training, and facilitation, and holds a bachelor's degree in English and mass communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Angela loves spending time with her family while traveling, outdoors, or cheering them on at extracurricular events. She also enjoys baking and photography.