Our talented team of subject matter experts brings together multiple years of experience from working with more than 350 public school districts. Knowing perception is reality, we use our various areas of expertise, both personal and professional, to assist our clients in providing the highest quality service and education to their staff, parents, students and the community as a whole.
Rick Nobles
Founder
Rick is our resident research and elections expert. He has 45 years of communications experience, which includes 17 years of experience working with public school districts. Rick has a degree in communications from the University of Texas. He has helped world-class brands, such as Coca-Cola, Sprint, Midas, Subaru, Chili’s and the United Methodist Church, manage their brand perceptions and taught Perception Management at the collegiate level for eight years.
913-484-0920rick@excellencek12.comElaine Warren
Client Services
Elaine is dedicated to building relationships and delivering on client’s goals and objectives. Elaine has a public relations degree from the University of Central Missouri and tons of client-side experience, including 17 years as marketing director at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus.
elaine@excellencek12.com
Susan Nenonen
Content Manager
Susan is always in the thick of things, using her 16 years of K-12 experience and her more than 25 years of communications experience to provide her expertise on research reports, web content and all other written material related to Perception Management. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree in management from Webster University.
913-481-7080susan@excellencek12.comBrad Stefanoni
Senior Strategist
Brad brings a boatload of K-12 experience to the table, having worked for the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at Greenbush for 18 years. Brad excels in helping schools think and act strategically. Brad has a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University.
620-249-3635brad@excellencek12.com
Robin Wahlquist
Senior Associate
Robin is our ultimate “mommy,” with two children and anywhere from five to 12 dogs, depending on the week. Robin works with several local shelters fostering and adopting rescue dogs. In certain circles, Robin is known as the “Chihuahua whisperer” for her success with feral Chihuahuas. Robin manages our data-gathering team for Perception Management and is our resident expert in all things early childhood. Robin has her master’s degree from Mizzou.
