ERIN GILHULY | erin@cvstrat.com
President
Combining media definition, audience identification, targeted positioning and focused execution, Erin develops and delivers a comprehensive communications strategy for each client. The CV Strategies model includes a balanced methodology of conventional public relations, community relations and image adjustment, government relations and a sophisticated blend of whisper, conventional and guerilla tactics. Erin’s goal is to build and implement tactical messaging and perception strategies.
For nearly two years prior to launching CV Strategies, Erin served as Vice President of Public Relations for a leading Southern California marketing firm. Responsible for leading public relations campaigns for the agency’s large client base, her work experience there made her one of the most successful image, branding, perception, and PR experts in the area.
Her extensive media career began in her hometown of Los Angeles, where she worked at several radio and television stations including KROQ-FM, KTTV-FOX and the news giant KFWB 980. It was there that Erin developed a love for the news and information business and became skilled in translating facts into storytelling.
After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, she moved to the Coachella Valley. Erin's success as a leader in the local news industry began at the ABC affiliate, KESQ-TV, where after two years as the station's Assignment Manager, she was promoted to News Director. After more than eight years at KESQ, she moved across town to help launch the start-up CBS affiliate, KPSP-TV. As the station's first News Director, she was responsible for all of the hiring, design and strategy for the news department. In only three years, the station quickly became a significant player in the regional news race.
Erin has won numerous industry awards, including two Mark Twain Associated Press Awards, a Communicator Award for Breaking News and a Pacific Southwest Emmy Award received in 2003. She is a member of the Radio Television News Directors Association and the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Television Academy.
CAROLYN MOLOSHCO | carolyn@cvstrat.com
Carolyn Moloshco has more than 20 years of media experience as an award winning journalist and communications specialist.
Her career began at the PBS affiliate KCET-TV in Los Angeles where she served as a Program Planning Associate for five years in the National Productions Department. While at KCET she worked on documentary and drama development and post production for projects including American Playhouse and WonderWorks.
Moving to the Coachella Valley in 1991, Carolyn took a position as Director of live morning newscasts for the NBC affiliate KMIR-TV. She transferred from that position to the news desk where she honed her journalistic skills as Assignment Editor and Manager. During this time Carolyn also served as producer for numerous public affairs and cultural arts programs.
During her tenure with the KMIR news team, Carolyn was responsible for obtaining numerous exclusive interviews and was a key contributor in establishing KMIR as a leader in the local and regional news industry, and the station winning two Emmy Awards for Best Newscast & Designated Day in 2000 and 2001.
In 2005, Carolyn accepted an Assignment Manager position at the desert’s CBS affiliate KPSP-TV, where she remained until accepting a new challenge in the media arena. After 15 successful years in the local broadcast journalism business, Carolyn exchanged her daily news experience for a public relations career with one of the premiere marketing companies in Riverside County.
Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from San Francisco State University, and is a graduate of the Mass Media Institute at Stanford University. She has had articles and editorials published in The San Francisco Examiner, S.F. Bay Guardian, the San Bernardino Sun and Desert Sun newspapers.
CARA VAN DIJK | cara@cvstrat.com
Cara Van Dijk has worked in media for more than 17 years, doing everything from reporting, producing, editing and commercial production. Her “insider” perspective of how the media operates makes her an expert in media relations. Cara knows what types of stories people in television, radio and newspaper are looking for, because she has worked for all three. She also knows how to manage media “crisis” situations because she has been on both sides.
Cara held top producer positions at two Palm Springs area television stations, KESQ-ABC and KPSP-CBS, where she lead coverage of earthquakes and other major emergencies and the death of Bob Hope. Cara developed and produced a distinct entertainment magazine-style program for KPSP at the station’s start-up.
She was also the communications manager for a major Southern California builder, where she was key in the strategic planning when the company was faced with a take-over and later a merger.
As the media landscape evolves, Cara stays in touch with the trends to enhance clients messaging through new media including web videos and social networking. Cara is also passionate about environmental issues, and has built relationships with environmental writers and editors across the country.
Cara has a BA in Mass Communications from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.
ERIN RENEAR | ErinR@cvstrat.com
Erin Renear is a media expert and educator who has been in key television network positions deciding “the news of the day.” Her keen perception of appealing news content translates succinctly as she assists people and organizations distribute their message through a myriad of platforms, from traditional media to new media.
Erin held affiliate relations positions for both ABC and Fox News, where she was responsible for linking news feeds for the networks’ west region. She was also a line producer for KABC-TV (Los Angeles) and KPSP-TV (Palm Springs), where she ultimately led the Emmy-winning news team as Executive Producer. Erin is in her element making quick, strategic decisions, as she demonstrated for network affiliates during national breaking news stories like the Southern California FireStorm, the Universal Studios fire and the death of former President Gerald R. Ford.
Erin demonstrated her creativity while field producing for ABC during the Academy Awards and the “Dancing with the Stars” finale. She continues to hone those skills of fast-thinking and creativity as she designs impactful communications campaigns for private businesses and government agencies.
Erin graduated from the University of La Verne in California, where she serves as adjunct faculty.
NICKY VALLEE | nicky@cvstrat.com
Nicky comes to public relations after a decade in television news. For more than two years, Nicky worked as a general assignment reporter for CBS 2 in Thousand Palms, where she covered a variety of stories, including the devastating and deadly Sawtooth and Esperanza wildfires. Prior to her work as a journalist here in the desert, Nicky worked as an anchor, producer, reporter and editor at stations in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida.
In 2000, she had the exciting opportunity to cover the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, where she interviewed former President George Bush and his wife Barbara. Nicky's passion for getting the story and uncovering corruption landed her the 2002 New Jersey Broadcasters "Best of the Best Award" for her expose on a funeral home scam, a story she broke while working for the NBC affiliate in Atlantic City.
A native of Southern New Jersey, Nicky is a graduate of Villanova University, where she majored in Communication Arts. During her time at Villanova, Nicky hosted an on-campus radio program, was a columnist for the college newspaper, The Villanovan, served as a programmer for the Cultural Film Series and was a member of the National Honor Society.
BRIAN HARNIK | brian@cvstrat.com
Brian Harnikís legal career spans more than 25 years and a multitude of disciplines and specialties. As one of the founders of CV Strategies, Brian applies practical experience and an innovative approach to assist in building communication strategies for our clients. His skills in messaging and positioning of complex issues, initiatives and projects are an essential part of the CV Strategies team.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Brian obtained his law degree from Boston University and was awarded a BA in History from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Brianís law career began in his hometown where he served as an Assistant District Attorney for seven years. He was a senior trial attorney in the Countyís Homicide Bureau where he tried numerous murder and manslaughter cases, and also a trial supervisor in the Sex Crimes and Special Victims Bureau.
After moving to California, he worked for the Los Angeles based law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP. In 1990, he formed Roemer & Harnik, one of the areaís most reputable law firms.
Brian sits periodically as Judge Pro Tempore and as a settlement judge for the Riverside County Superior Court in Indio, California. He is a past president of the Desert Bar Association, is the immediate past president of the Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley, and is a founding member of The Warren E. Slaughter American Inn of Court.
ROBERT A. BERNHEIMER | rob@cvstrat.com
A founder of CV Strategies and a successful attorney and politician, Rob Bernheimer has a history of generating results through effective communications. Rob is a recognized authority on political, legal and corporate matters and an exceptional communicator. With a resume that includes corporate lobbying, government transactions and complex public policy, Rob is skilled at translating messages to a wide audience.
Born and raised in Sacramento, Rob’s career in government began there as a political clerk at Nielsen Merksamer. Rob has worked as a corporate lobbyist working for The Flanigan Law Firm in many industries including tobacco, oil, alcohol and solid waste and recycling. He graduated with great distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He began practicing law in the Southern California desert in 1994, and now operates his own law office, Robert A. Bernheimer, A Professional Law Corporation, in Indian Wells where he handles land use planning, government relations, real estate and business law matters.
Rob began service in local government in 1997. He was a member of the Indian Wells City Council from 2000-2008, twice serving the City as its Mayor in both 2003 and 2007. Prior to becoming a council member, he served the City on several committees, including the Architecture & Landscape Committee as well as the Planning Commission.
Rob is a past Chair and board member of the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention and Visitors Authority and the Cove Communities Services Commission. He is a former board member of: McCallum Theatre, Desert Forum, Inc. (Indian Wells Town Hall Lecture Series), Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Children’s Discovery Museum, Desert Resorts Regional Airport Authority, among many others. He is also the past president and long time board member of Desert Cancer Foundation.