Mark Gilman
President
When we say Mark Gilman has experience all over the map, we mean it two ways – he’s been almost everywhere (with a well-stamped passport and former addresses in 9 states and 13 cities) and he’s seen action in a wide range of public relations and marketing fields – military, political, legal, technology, business-to-business and more.
Mark launched his PR career while serving in the Navy and studying Journalism in the exclusive Defense Information School. He served for six years as a “Propaganda Specialist” before shoving off for a civilian career and finishing his education at Keene State College in New Hampshire.
Mark’s penchant for traveling didn’t stop there – beginning as a television, print and radio reporter, stringing for CBS, ABC , CNN and Mutual Radio, this native New Englander eventually managed talk radio stations across the country and hosted shows in Boston, Detroit, D.C., Houston, Baltimore, Tucson and Albuquerque.
In addition, he served as a Capitol Hill correspondent and a Pentagon correspondent during the first Gulf War.
Mark’s taste for travel also found him crisscrossing the country with Fred Goldman during the O.J. Simpson trial, managing events that brought together victims of similar tragedies. The focus of the events was to discuss moving on and turning disastrous experiences into positives. Mark helped ensure that the media took a similar approach – focusing on encouraging stories of positivism and perseverance rather than tragedy.
Over his many miles, Mark has also gathered experience in many industries. For EDS, he successfully managed communications and media coverage to help put a positive face on the company during a share-dropping, office-closing point in its history. Mark also helped a Detroit area law firm that was previously seen as an institutional tax firm to reframe itself as a technology and business firm worthy of much more media attention. New clients and alliances followed. Other organizations Mark has served include Comcast Corporation and Safe Streets, a public policy group in Washington D.C.
Mark counts numerous Associated Press journalism rewards and an NRB Talk Show of the Year award among his successes. He’s also proud to be included on the Detroit Regional Chamber’s List of 100 Emerging Leaders in Detroit.
But if it’s not adventure enough, there’s plenty more to be had in Mark’s other calling – Compassion International. Mark has supported this child sponsorship agency as a participant and spokesman for more than 20 years. His efforts with the agency have taken him to Bolivia, Guatemala (three times), and El Salvador. He’s also traveled to Romania and the Ukraine for various mission projects. Mark also lends his expertise as board member of the Salvation Army for Eastern Michigan, is an active supporter and adviser to Lighthouse of Oakland County and is on the board of advisers for Enough is Enough, a Washington D.C. based non-profit educating parents on the dangers of illegal internet pornography.
Mark also is active in his church, hosting a weekly bible study in his home. A father of five, Mark lives with his wife, Patti, and family in Clarkston, Michigan. Despite his current address, Mark remains rabidly loyal to his Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins. He enjoys softball, volleyball, golf and tennis as well as coaching his younger boys in hockey and baseball.
Bonnie Caprara
Director of Written Media
Bonnie Caprara has held a number of hats in her career, but they’ve all been covered in news print. Bonnie is an accomplished and award wining writer and editor, serving in long-term roles as a reporter for the Grosse Pointe and Detroit News as well as working in media relations capacities for medical and educational institutions and non-profits.
She has also a demonstrated proficiency in not only writing meaningful stories as a journalist, but mastering the art of “creative pitching” which serves her well in her capacity as a writer and media relations specialist at Decus as Director of Written Media.
The Wayne State Journalism grad and Clinton Township resident also stays busy keeping up with her two sons at Fraser High and Western Michigan University, while spending her other hours as a bona fide patron of the arts, handling publicity for the Grosse Pointe Artists Association. If journalism and writing expertise can be considered art – Bonnie has found an easel at Decus where her work is admired daily.
Marsha Carter
Client Executive – Media and Public Relations
Style, energy and infectious enthusiasm are the traits that best describe this Detroiter’s personality, which perfectly blends with her media facing duties as Decus’ media relations maven. An experienced and well-traveled radio reporter in Michigan at WOOD-AM in Grand Rapids, WSJM-AM in St. Joseph and in the Illinois state capitol of Springfield with WMAY-AM, Marsha has also lead TV news teams as assignment editor at WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids and KIRO-TV in Seattle.
A proud Bronco, Marsha earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and received her master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Like most of Decus’ eclectic and well-rounded staff, Marsha proves daily that life is much more than a PR gig. In addition to managing (a term used loosely) her son Malone’s daily enterprises, Marsha also lends her unique talents in various Detroit based venues where she recites original poetry. Among other places, she has performed at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Detroit Music Hall, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge and Bert’s Market Place. Currently, she is the resident host of poetry night at one of Detroit’s premier restaurants, Grand City Grille. Look for her new cd, coming out this winter and continued praise and adulation from the audience who appreciates her most – Decus’ clients.
