Testimonials

Crisis Communication Planning

“Spartanburg Regional is vast and complex.  Yet . . . Mary Ann Pires got her arms around it in less than six months to help us develop an Emergency Communication Plan.”
---Ingo Angermeier, President & CEO, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg, SC.

“Many thanks for all of your efforts in preparing our new crisis communication plan. The recent positive response from the Department of Public Utility Control is due in no small measure to your excellent work.”
---Larry L. Bingaman, Senior VP-Corporate Relations & Secretary, Aquarion Company, Bridgeport, CT.

PR Marketing

"You are amazingly effective at what you do."
---L. Kent Satterfield, COO, Dixon Hughes PLLC, Asheville, NC.

"It's a pleasure to be working with you on our community outreach.  We're benefiting greatly from it."
---Dr. Stephen B. Jones, President, Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC.

"The Pires Group's structure as a virtual agency makes it highly cost-effective, and Mary Ann's 30 years in the corporate world makes her advice seasoned and valued."
---Scott Ziegler, President of Corporate Branding, The Cliffs Communities, Travelers Rest, SC.

“Thank you for your recent assistance with the growth and development strategy for the Greenville Digital Alliance (now NEXT.) Your insights regarding . . . positioning for the group . . . have caused (us) to reconsider several aspects of our original development plan.”
---John M. Moore, Executive Vice President of The Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Greenville, SC.

"Mary Ann proved herself to be a talented, dedicated, results-oriented professional."
---Mark S. Crocker, 2007 President, South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, Columbia, SC.

“The final (fund raising video) product is something of which we are extremely proud and one which will help us tremendously in our fundraising efforts . . . None of this would have been possible without Mary Ann’s experienced eye of twenty years of partnering opportunities with business, her knowledge of how to successfully bring this kind of project to fruition, her creative skills and her persistence.”
---Rev. Elizabeth L. Templeton, Former Executive Director, United Ministries, Greenville, SC.

Strategic Philanthropy

“In addition to the excellent work provided in the Philanthropy Report done for us, The Pires Group went beyond our contracted services.  Mary Ann was constantly thinking about our business . . .”
--- Carl Sobocinski, Owner-Partner, Table 301, Greenville, SC.

“Mary Ann was skilled in finding unique and creative tools and methods for greatly expanding the Bank’s gifts of money and time, without necessarily increasing costs.”
---J. Edward Terrell, Executive Vice President, Greenville First Bank, Greenville, SC.

Research & Evaluation

“In the case of the (Greater Greenville) Chamber, Mary Ann did a lot of very helpful work in a very professional way.”
---Steven R. Brandt, 2006 Chamber Board Chair, President & Publisher, The Greenville News, Greenville, SC.

“Mary Ann Pires oversaw conduct of our company’s first benchmarking survey at 40 sites in the U.S. and Canada . . .The firm’s work has been professional in every respect, and conducted with great conscientiousness and sensitivity to confidentiality, timeliness and budget. . ."
---Sandra E. Taylor, VP-Public Affairs, ICI Americas, Inc., Washington, D.C.

General

“I think highly of her as a public relations professional and as a person.  Her communication skills are exceptional.”
---Robert E. Hughes, Jr., President, Hughes Development Corporation, Greenville, SC.

“(The article was a) Great piece of work . . . thanks so much . . . it helps our two communities.”
---Hon. William Barnet III, Mayor, City of Spartanburg.

“Well done (profile) . . ..”
---Jim Micali, Former CEO, Michelin North America, Greenville, SC.

“I appreciate your thoroughness, your attention to detail and the fact that you do a superb job of focusing on the client and the client's best interests.”
---Ken Johnson, Executive Director, Greenville Symphony Association, Greenville, SC.

“Your vision has helped build a program (for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate) that hopefully will just get better with age.”
---Mike Mahoney, Sports Marketing Sales Executive, The Carolina Panthers, Greenville, SC.

“Thank you for all of your insights and willingness to make a difference.”
---Linda Wilson, Director of Development and Programs, Upstate Homeless Coalition, Greenville, SC.

“Mary Ann was an important (pro bono) supporter of this important event for Spartanburg and delivered on the professional promises she made in a timely manner.”
---Katherine Fulmer, Co-Chair, Spartanburg Art and Antique Show, Spartanburg, SC.

“The Pires Group has provided professional services to our company for four years. We have found Ms. Pires to be highly professional and committed to achieving maximum results. . .”
---Thomas Tauke, SVP– Government Relations, Bell Atlantic (now Verizon), Washington, D.C.

“I’d like to say thank you once again for a superb workshop presentation.”
---Lauren Barnett, Director, American Society for Hospital Public Relations, Chicago, IL.

“For years now . . . Mary Ann . . . has facilitated highly sensitive discussions among influential interests.”
---Peggy Haney,VP, Consumer Affairs, American Express Co., NY, NY

• About Us