Where Passion Meets Proficiency
Blue Heron Communications attracts birds of a feather: everyone here loves and understands the outdoors. Each of us has an extensive background in corporate communications to go along with experience working for some of the most prestigious advertising and public relations agencies, daily newspapers and national magazines. This group produced quality radio, television and print content in the “outside world” before switching over to a full-time outdoor regimen. We consider it a reward for a job well done. At the same time, we know much work remains to be done – YOUR work. outdoor marketing, outdoor public, relations outdoor pr
Meet The Herons
Gary Giudice : Founder/President
Gary Giudice
Gary’s successful public relations career began at the highest levels of state government and as host of the NRA’s radio show before he made the transition to agency work. Leading accounts for industry giants like KODAK, Remington, DuPont and others, Gary envisioned a place where sound business and marketing practices could work hand-in-hand with a strong passion for the outdoors. As a result, Gary founded Blue Heron Communications in 1987.
When Gary left Saatchi & Saatchi to start Blue Heron, his boss at the agency told him, “It just might work. Hell, you’ll only have to work half days! And, being your own boss, you’ll get to pick which 12 hours!”
Turns out, Gary’s old boss was right.
Gary still spends his spare time outdoors, whether he’s hunting, fishing or just watching the sun set on new places. Most of the time he tries to keep his workweek to five days and somewhere south of 12 hours a day.
Ron Giudice : Vice President
Ron Giudice
An avid photographer and writer, Ron’s fishing and hunting articles have been published in numerous outdoor publications. Ron has also been a columnist and fishing editor for several outdoor magazines.
Ron came to Blue Heron Communications after 20 years as Water Quality Program Director for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. This experience gives Ron an appreciation for a sound, high-quality environment to meet the needs and desires of the outdoor enthusiast.
Ron has extensive outdoor experience, with angling and hunting two of his primary interests. He began fly fishing as a child in the mountain streams of the Arkansas Ozarks and routinely takes extended fishing trips across the western and southwestern United States.
Daren Cole: Partner and General Manager
Daren Cole
Greg Duncan : Account Executive
Greg Duncan
Since joining BHC in 2011, Greg manages the day-to-day public relations needs of BHC’s conservation clients including Dallas Safari Club, Boone & Crockett Club and National Hunting and Fishing Day. Greg also handles PR needs for fishing tournament circuits: Inshore Fishing Association, Texas Team Trail and Cabela’s National Walleye Tour.
Greg’s writing and interpersonal skills make him a valuable addition to the Blue Heron family. His enthusiasm for the outdoors and willingness to take on new challenges will benefit Greg in his career as a communicator in the outdoor industry.
Jordan Egli : Director of Digital Marketing
Jordan Egli
Although a native Okie, Jordan spent most of his early years traversing the United States with his family, never passing up the opportunity to explore new terrain. He learned how to handle a firearm and fishing rod on his uncle’s farm in southeast Iowa and discovered his true passion for the outdoors while camping in Colorado every summer.
It wasn’t until a new neighbor – and soon-to-be lifelong friend – moved down the street that Jordan discovered his passion for hunting. It was with this friend that he learned the quiet walk of a whitetail, the flush of duck wings flying over before sunrise and the thunderous gobble of a turkey in spring woods. He was hooked.
Jordan’s passion for the outdoors and desire to make a career doing what he loves led to an internship with Blue Heron Communications during his first year of college. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in December 2016, Jordan joined BHC as the first intern in the company’s history to earn a position as a full-time account executive.
While interning at Blue Heron and since transitioning into his account executive role and now position as Director of Digital Marketing, Egli has been instrumental in developing the video, social media and other digital marketing capabilities of the company.
Josh Ward : Special Projects
Josh Ward
Growing up in a family full of hunters and anglers set the table early on for Josh’s outdoor passions. But it was a childhood introduction to the works of venerable outdoor scribes like O’Connor, Ruark and Hemingway that fueled his ambition to someday work in the outdoor industry. Josh joined Blue Heron in 2004 following a successful career in print journalism that culminated with his realization that autumn afternoons are better spent in a deer stand than in a press box.
These days, Josh combines his lifelong passion for the outdoors with the professional skills he honed as a contributor to some of the nation’s largest and most-respected news and sports publications where his work was honored by The Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, Columbia School of Journalism and other groups. Knowing the rigors of being a reporter on deadline as well as he knows how to be successful in the outdoors helps Josh to maximize editorial opportunities for Blue Heron clients.
Jeff Puckett : Field Specialist
Jeff Puckett
Jeff joined Blue Heron Communications in April 2013 following his retirement from the Norman Police Department, where he achieved the rank of Detective Sergeant. During Jeff’s distinguished 21-year police career he worked in all aspects of law enforcement, including a 13-year stint in the Special Investigative Division where he operated in an undercover capacity.
Originally from Colorado, Jeff came to love the outdoors at an early age with one of his earliest memories being that of tagging along on a successful antelope hunt with his father when Jeff was four years old. From that early trip afield on Colorado’s Eastern Slope, Jeff’s passion for the hunting and fishing continued to grow, paving the way for his second career in the outdoor industry.
While Jeff loves to hunt big game, his true passion is waterfowl hunting with his trusted Labrador retriever, Bo the Wonderdog, whom Jeff trained personally. During the fall and winter months, Jeff and Bo can often be found in a ground blind in western Oklahoma waiting on the Canadian geese to work. “There are not many things in nature that are cooler to see than a flock of Canadas hovering above your head with their feet down,” Jeff proclaims.
In addition to being a certified NRA Pistol Instructor and NRA Range Safety Officer, Jeff is also an avid firearms collector and proud owner of an extensive collection of classic firearms.
Steve Scott : Special Projects Coordinator
Steve Scott
As a reformed attorney, former college professor, and a full time outdoor communicator with a passion to advocate the cause of sportsmen & women, Steve Scott brings a unique perspective and BHC’s special projects coordinator.
Recognized as an advocate of hunter’s right’s, Scott is the producer and host of the award-winning Safari Hunter’s Journal and Outdoor Guide television series in broadcast syndication and online. He was a board member of Safari Club International, and served on SCI’s Humanitarian Services committee as chair of the Sportsmen Against Hunger program, He is also a past chairman of the board of directors of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, and served as a director of the US Olympic Shooting Team Foundation.
Scott taught in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma from 1987 to 2007, receiving the Most Inspiring Faculty Award as an adjunct instructor. Scott has testified on behalf of sportsmen before the US House Natural Resources & the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee’s and is a frequent civic club and after-dinner speaker.
Follow Steve on Social Media
Tonya Giudice : Office Manager/Graphic Designer
Tonya Giudice
Tonya draws on her 12 years of management and 18 years of design experience in her day-to-day work. With a degree in graphic design and love of art, she lends her creativity to Eddies, the award-winning U.S. Fish & Wildlife magazine. Her emphasis is in print media, layout and design, with additional digital experience in website and online newsletter design. In addition to design and production, she handles office management, event planning and maintaining Blue Heron’s digital resources.
When not designing, Tonya spends her time enjoying nature in places like the mountains of Colorado; Yellowstone and Ambergris Caye, Belize, where she cultivates her photography and fishing skills.
Among her many talents and passions is cooking of all things wild or otherwise.
Valarie Shaw: Social Media Specialist
Valarie Shaw
At Blue Heron Communications, client-service efforts are enhanced by on-going measurement and tracking services handled by the Traffic Department, coordinated by Valarie Shaw. Valarie draws on her educational and professional experiences to effectively maintain BHC’s established procedures and standards to provide results in a timely manner.
The daughter of Oklahoma’s big game wildlife biologist and supervisor, a lifelong huntress and angler, Valarie is driven by a passion to experience the thrill of outdoor pursuits, both old and new.
When not steering the Traffic Department, Valarie enjoys traveling the US with her friends and family visiting National Parks.
Intern
Intern
Conveniently located adjacent to the University of Oklahoma, Blue Heron Communications has been privileged to a vast network of student talent year after year. Our intern programs provides eager students an opportunity to gain industry leading experience while contributing fresh content and innovative thinking to our organization. These students have no problem simultaneously hooking a largemouth, live streaming on Instagram and answering comments at the same time. Featured in the picture is our lead intern Kennan Horton.
Deke : Vice President of Morale
Deke
All great teams need a mascot: a wildcat, a bear; an eagle, a tiger or something that personifies the team’s image. Blue Heron Communications is no different. What captures the spirit and the ideals of the passionate outdoorsman and woman better than the venerable Labrador retriever?
Loyal, smart, ready for anything; steady as a rock in the duck blind, waist-high CRP and the office, Deke joined Blue Heron in 2008. He follows in the footsteps of former BHC VPs of Morale: Coot, Woodduck and Teal, each of whom faithfully fulfilled their duties before retiring to the Great Duck Blind in the Sky.
A native of southern Oklahoma where he was whelped and trained, Deke now resides with BHC President, Gary Giudice. And even when Gary is on the road tending to client business or off in search of big fish and trophy game, Deke comes to work everyday, providing the staff with a head to pat, a belly to rub and slobbery, reassuring licks.