FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2019

Contact: Todd Rapp
612.843.4543
toddrapp@rappstrategies.com

Rapp Strategies, Inc., a Minneapolis-based public affairs firm specializing in strategic communications, issue management and reputation management, today announced that Richard A. Forschler will join the firm as its Senior Counselor, beginning March 1st.

"For more than thirty years, Rich has played a pivotal role in developing strategies to address many of Minnesota’s most important public affairs challenges," explained Todd Rapp, CEO and President of Rapp Strategies. "I am thrilled he has agreed to join the firm, and excited that he will be sharing his perspective on issues with our clients as well as assisting me with business development strategies."

Starting in 1989, Forschler was a partner at Faegre & Benson LLP and its successor, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, leading its government affairs practice. He represented some of Minnesota’s most high-profile businesses, including IBM, Minnesota Wild, Target, Mortenson Construction and Wells Fargo. He also provided counsel to important civic organizations such as Minneapolis Downtown Council, Minneapolis Home Field Advantage, the Ordway Theatre and the Minneapolis Foundation. He retired from the law firm on December 31st.

Forschler also served two terms on the board of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and three terms on the board of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, serving as chair in 1991. He has a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

"For the past thirty years, I have worked with an outstanding team of attorneys and government affairs professionals at Faegre Baker Daniels," said Forschler. "I am looking forward to my new work with an equally outstanding public affairs firm. This is a very different opportunity for me, but I plan to make a quick transition from my long career in lobbying and legal counsel to my new mission to assist Todd, his team and their clients."

"Rich will help Rapp Strategies deliver high-quality strategy to our clients in the areas of complex issue management, strategic communications, assessing risk and protecting reputation assets," Rapp concluded. “Rich has left his lobbying career behind, but he brings tremendous knowledge that will strengthen our senior-level strategic counsel in the core areas of our business."

Rapp Strategies Inc., formerly known as Himle Horner and Himle Rapp, provides strategic counsel and communications services to business, non-profit and government clients. Its mission is to help clients shape understanding, strengthen reputation, manage risk and advance good ideas. More information can be found at rappstrategies.com.

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What we’re reading, listening to and thinking about this month.

Todd R.: We watched the documentary “Blondie’s New York and the Making of Parallel Lines” which was further proof that 1978 is the greatest year ever for rock albums. I’m enjoying the Zinio app for online magazine subscriptions, it’s really easy to use. Is “eating” a category? If so, the breakfast burger on the lunch menu at Red Cow North Loop – upgrade to the tater tots. I’m also enjoying the last year with my 18-year-old twin shovelers before they go to college. Thank goodness we had the serious February snow this year.

 Todd S.: My wife and I are catching our first show at the Dakota Jazz Club this month. It’s a great lineup for a pair of transplants from the South enduring another tough Minnesota winter — Sonny Landreth, a virtuoso slide guitarist and bandleader, and Marcia Ball, a brilliant R&B singer and pianist. Should be quite a performance in such an intimate venue. And, of course, there’s no way our two sons, ages 6 and 8, would let us miss “Science Fiction Day” at the Science Museum. It used to be called “Star Wars Day,” though I suspect there was a copyright issue as guests are now encouraged to bring their “plasma swords.” Regardless, my dudes will be looking for Rey and Chewbacca, while I check out the new exhibit on the history of video games.

 Sarah: I finally watched “Crazy Rich Asians,” which lead to a binge of Constance Wu’s “Fresh Off the Boat.” I’ve also set out on a quest to watch all of the Marvel Universe movies. I’m undertaking this “Spaghetti Order” during blizzards and cold snaps.

 Aaron: Along with keeping my reading challenge on course, I have started to catch up on the laundry list of television series I’ve been putting off. The shows I began with include: “Ozark’s Season 2,” “True Detective Season 3” and “Atlanta Season 2.”

 Anna: I’ve been enjoying season three of the romantic and historically rich “Victoria,” featuring the young queen who changed history when she ascended to the throne at age 18. Looking ahead to my tropical vacation, I’m searching for a good beach read – perhaps “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” by Maria Semple, about a woman who mysteriously disappears and her daughter’s journey to find where her mother’s secret past has led her.

 Andrea: In February, I decided to re-watch “Chicken Little,” the great cartoon movie of my elementary years. If I’m being honest, it was so bad I didn’t finish it. On the other hand, I watched “Ant Man and the Wasp” and “Avengers: Infinity War” for a second time, and they were both amazing. Thank you Marvel, for bringing me some of my favorite movies.

 What we’re reading, listening to and thinking about this month.

Todd R.: I’m working my way through Season 2 of “The Wire,” and just finished Season 6 of “House of Cards”– a confusing season, but still underrated. I also purchased my first subscription to a podcast: “CAFE Insider” with Preet Bharara and Anne Milgram. It’s the best Monday-morning analysis of what’s going on in D.C. And one of these days I need to watch “Ocean’s 8.”

Todd S.: I have been trying to catch up on movies nominated for Oscars, because it’s always fun to have an informed opinion on the nominees. While I have seen several of the films who have received nominations, I still need to watch “Roma,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” among a few others, before Oscar night next month.

Sarah: The cold weather has kept me indoors and on a Netflix kick. First, I tidied up with Marie Kondo and got rid of anything in my apartment that didn’t bring me joy (aka, way too much stuff). Next, I watched the inspiring documentary “Meru” which follows an elite team of mountaineers as they set out to conquer Meru Peak’s Shark’s Fin Route, “one of the most coveted lines in the entire Himalaya.” This doc sent me down a serious Google rabbit hole about mountaineering, Conrad Anker discovering George Mallory’s body on Everest, the team, the stunning photos from the expedition and all the crazy things that happened while they conquered a life-long dream.

Aaron: The new year brings a new annual reading challenge. In 2019, I hope to read two books a month. In January I’ve read “Wabi Sabi,” Francesc Miralles Contijoch’s 2014 sequel to “Love in Lowercase” and will end the month finishing the Minnesota Historical Society-funded “Thank You for Shopping: The Golden Age of Minnesota Department Stores” by Kristal Leebrick.

Anna: This month, I devoured Katie Ganshert’s three-book series, The Gifting, which tackles a 1984-esque America, the supernatural battle between good and evil, and coming of age all in one unputdownable package. I also enjoyed “When the English Fall” by David Williams, which features an apocalypse through the eyes of an Amish farmer and his family.  

Andrea: At the end of the year, Spotify creates a playlist of your most-listened to songs of the year. I’ve been playing my 2018 playlist on repeat for a couple weeks now. With artists like SZA, Jorja Smith, Sabrina Claudio, Xavier Omar and Kendrick, how can you not? I’ve also been doing extensive reading and research on physical therapy practices for lower back pain, and I’m continually amazed by the complexity and adaptivity of the human body.

What we’re reading, listening to and thinking about this month.

Todd R.: Our Christmas Eve movie pick was "When Harry Met Sally…," and even the kids were impressed with the dialogue. On Christmas night, we watched "A Simple Favor," which was quite good. Now we're diving into “The Wire” for our binge show. I'm also about to start the "Believed" podcast from Michigan Radio and NPR on the Larry Nassar assaults.

Todd S.: As a new movie focuses on the life of Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen, I’m going to explore the group’s early live performances, including “Live at the Rainbow Theater ’74” and “A Night at the Odeon – Hammersmith ‘75.” Should make the commuting to work more fun.

Sarah: My December was dominated by the (bad?) Netflix Christmas movies I’ve come to love. Of note were “The Princess Switch,” “The Spirit of Christmas” and “The Holiday Calendar.” So much cheesy goodness. I received “Homebody” by Joanna Gaines and spent much of the holiday flipping through the gorgeous photographs and dreaming of decorating my next space.

Aaron: This December, I enjoyed reading Francesc Miralles’ “Love in Lowercase,” a story about an eccentric, language-loving bachelor and the cat that opens his eyes to life’s little pleasures. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel “Wabi-Sabi” in the new year.

Anna: My favorite read from the month was Eowyn Ivey’s “To The Bright Edge of the World,” a delicate and yet sweeping saga of a man’s journey into the Alaskan wilderness in 1885 and his wife’s equally captivating story as an emerging photographer. I also enjoyed the splendid “Les Misérables” at the Orpheum and the timeless “Beauty and the Beast” live in concert with the Minnesota Orchestra.

Andrea: This month has been spent watching a series on Netflix called “Chef’s Table,” an extremely well-done documentary series featuring high-ranking chefs around the world and how they’re changing the culinary world. Unlike other food shows, this series takes you beyond the kitchen and into the heart of the chefs and their individual and powerful stories. It’s both intimate and inspiring…even if you’re not into cooking.  

What we’re reading, listening to and thinking about this month.

Todd R.: Cruising up and down the dial on Saturday night, I’ve found re-runs of Hill Street Blues on Xfinity, which is greatly appreciated. I’ve also been listening to Jeff Diamond on his Viking insider podcast with Jim Souhan, but only after listening to Cheryl Reeve’s show. I’m also trying to pick out a movie for my family to watch together on Christmas Eve – this will be Year 12 of this tradition.

Todd S.: I am going to see the movie The Front Runner, which focuses on Gary Hart’s time as a leading presidential candidate and his fall from grace over rumors of infidelity. In terms of media and politics, Gary Hart's story was as a turning point – the moment when journalists began more closely examining the private lives of political candidates. I am curious to see how the film addresses the ethical questions.

Sarah: I'm currently reading The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, which is making me very grateful we don't have 18 hours of darkness during Minnesota winters. Since we're post-Thanksgiving, you know my Christmas playlist is on repeat! A favorite Christmas album is Glow by Brett Eldredge.

Aaron: I was able to see an early showing of the Guthrie Theatre’s annual A Christmas Carol which was a great way to jumpstart the holiday season. Following watching CREED II in theatres (the sequel to the 2015 boxing drama CREED) I’m looking forward to re-reading Undisputed Truth the biography of one-time heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.

Anna: One of my favorite authors (and my former boss), Julie Klassen, has the last book in her Ivy Hill series releasing this week – The Bride of Ivy Green. I’ve already gotten a sneak peek, but I can’t wait to read the finished product. Now that the holiday season is in full swing, I’m also listening to Michael Bublé’s classic Christmas album.

Andrea: I’ve been binge listening to NPR’s TED Radio Hour. There are so many interesting topics, opinions and people, including the co-creator Guy Raz. You go into an episode expecting one thing and come out with so much more. One of my favorites is “Decisions Decisions Decisions.” It talks about how we make decisions, why we’re paralyzed by too many options and what we can do to overcome our indecisiveness. If you’re an indecisive person like me, make the decision to check this episode out.