COLUMBUS, OH: The president and the CEO of HMS Success are both
leaving to form their own companies.
Jan Allen, the founding president of three-year-old HMS Success, is
starting Jan Allen Consulting, which will specialize in executive
coaching, organizational development, and project management.
Curt Steiner, HMS' CEO (and Allen's husband), is forming Steiner Lesic
with Nancy Lesic, the former head of HMS' Cleveland office. Steiner
Lesic will specialize in public affairs work for Ohio-based clients.
David Milenthal, a senior partner in Ten Worldwide, a company that has
an ownership interest in HMS Success, will serve as chairman of the firm
as it searches for a new CEO.
All sides called the split amicable. "It was an opportunity for both
groups to do what they were focusing on," said Tenenbaum. Lesic added,
"We have good relations with HMS. In fact, we have a strategic alliance
with them."
Steiner Lesic begins life with seven staffers - five in Columbus, and
two in Cleveland. It also took several clients with it, including the
Ohio Municipal League, The Greater Cleveland Growth Association, and the
United Way of Central Ohio.
Tenenbaum said HMS is anticipating PR revenues in the $1 million-1.5 million range next year. At the start of this year, Allen
told PRWeek that HMS had roughly $4 million in PR fees for 2000.
