Sowmick returns to public relations postition

Scott Csernyik

2/13/2002 12:00:00 AM

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal member Joe Sowmick has been named public relations director for the Tribe-a position he held for five years after founding the department in 1993.

The 41-year-old Sowmick started Feb. 11, leaving a prevention planner position with the Tribe's Behavioral Health Program.

"I hope to build those communication bridges between the Tribal departments and Tribal Council," he stated. "I also see the position as an access point for community members and the media."

Sowmick currently serves as treasurer for the Tribal College Board of Regents. He is also a member of the Tribe's Residential Treatment Advisory Committee.

His wife Sue is the Public Health Nurse at the Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center. His seven-year-old daughter Lindy is a Saginaw Chippewa Academy Binoojiinh Montessori lower elementary student.

Sowmick is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts degree in telecommunications. Before working for the Tribe in 1993, he was a video manager in Okemos for seven years; a news production assistant at WLNS-TV6 in Lansing; as well as a research assistant for the Circle of Health Partnership in East Lansing.

Since his four-year departure from the public relations arena, Sowmick said there's been several changes and fine tuning of the public relations department.

"At first there were responsibilities related to the Soaring Eagle Casino and the Tribal Observer," he explained. "Now, those responsibilities have been taken care of by the creation and implementation of a marketing department and the Tribal Observer becoming its own department for the past two years.

"I look forward to working together with the membership as a liaison to Tribal Council and the media."