President and Founder — mark.behan@behancom.com
Mark L. Behan established Behan Communications in 1988 after a career as a reporter, editor and newspaper executive with media organizations on two coasts. As city editor of Hearst Corp.’s Times Union in Albany, Mark oversaw local and state news for the leading daily newspaper covering New York State’s capital. At 26, he became one of the youngest editors-in-chief in the country when he was chosen for the top job at The Glens Falls, N.Y., Post-Star. Since establishing Behan Communications in 1988, has served as an adviser to senior managers of many companies and institutions and has specialized in helping corporate clients manage controversial issues, including labor negotiations and strikes, lawsuits and regulatory battles. Having served for many years as the public and media spokesman for GE on the Hudson River dredging project, Mark was praised by former GE Chairman Jack Welch for “courage and brains” and “sensational and dedicated work to get the truth out on the Hudson.” He serves on the boards of Glens Falls Hospital, Adirondack Health Services, Inc., the Glens Falls Foundation and E. Leo Spain Foundation. He has served as a judge for the Public Relations Society of America’s Bronze Anvil Award, the industry’s highest honor. Mark is a graduate of Colgate University and has completed executive development programs at the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Law School.
John Brodt joined Behan Communications in 1990 and leads the firm’s corporate and marketing communications divisions. His experience includes developing, managing and implementing strategic community relations, employee communications and results-oriented B-to-B and consumer advertising programs for manufacturers, health care providers and financial institutions. John also manages the firm’s video production services, overseeing the production of training, marketing and fund-raising videos for in-house, broadcast and online audiences. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utica College of Syracuse University and an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Adirondack Community College. He is a member of the boards of directors of Amanda’s House, Inc., and the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation.
Troy Burns joined the firm in 1992. He is Behan Communications’ chief creative officer, leading our creative staff in the design of print and digital advertising, logos, marketing brochures, corporate image campaigns, catalogs, calendars, annual reports, research documents, presentational materials and Web sites. Troy’s work has earned design awards in a number of national competitions, and is credited by clients for contributing to the success of many marketing and community awareness programs. Troy is a former newspaper designer and editor at The Post-Star in Glens Falls. He is vice president of the board of directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — Northeast Chapter. He is also a volunteer with the The Colon Club, a not-for-profit group dedicated to educating people about the dangers of colorectal cancer, and the Kids with Food Allergies online support group.
Joan Gerhardt supervises the public affairs division of Behan Communications. She counsels manufacturing and corporate clients dealing with state and local environmental reviews of siting projects, facility expansions, and environmental remediation projects. She works closely with client management and legal and technical teams to promote project benefits and garner broad support. She has developed multi-faceted community awareness and grassroots education programs, and has represented client goals and project details to media, stakeholders, government agencies and elected officials. Prior to joining Behan Communications in 1996, she assisted New York State legislators in developing legislative and political agendas, constituent service and community awareness programs, and media relations. She holds a master’s degree in newspaper journalism from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and religious studies from the University of Rochester. Joan has completed executive development programs at the Harvard Business School and Public Relations Society of America, is a member of Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, PRSA and her local Parent Teacher Student Organization, and teaches pre-K education at Shaara Tfille Congregation in Saratoga Springs.
An expert in managing controversial issues in both the public and private sectors, Peter Lanahan formerly served as vice president of Environment, Health and Safety for Con Edison of New York and as president of WOH Environment and Energy Solutions. He is a former manager of New York State government and regulatory relations for the General Electric Co. and executive director of The Public Policy Institute, the research arm of The Business Council of New York State. Prior to his work in the private sector, he was first deputy commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and assistant to the commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation. A native of Albany, he completed the Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives at Harvard University. He earned a master’s degree in communication and technical writing from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor’s degree in English from the State University at Albany. He pursued graduate studies in economics, history and literature at Union College. He is a former trustee of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry.