Grosse Pointe Woods PR Firm Announces Program to Support Veterans

Road Reports LLC, a Grosse Pointe Woods-based communication and public relations consulting firm, today announced a program to provide veteran organizations in Southeastern Michigan with pro bono public relations services. The firm, which also has operations in Southwest, Fla., is headed by John G. McCandless, a retired Navy Captain and seasoned automotive public relations executive.

“As a veteran with 32 years of service, I’m proud to be able to provide communication planning, public relations and social media assistance to area veteran organizations,” McCandless said. “Like many other veterans, it’s my way of giving back. My goal is to help spread the news about the programs and activities these groups have to support our veterans and active duty military.”

Southeastern Michigan has a significant veteran population, approaching 10 percent of the population. Many of these men and women and their families are active members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corps League, other Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), as well as multiple area non-profits that support our wounded warriors and active duty military.

As a life member of the AMVETS Post 59 in Harper Woods and the Metropolitan Detroit Council, roNavy League of the United States, as well as a member of the American Legion, VFW and International Armed Forces Council, McCandless has been active in promoting local and national veteran causes. Fund-raising programs by these organizations provide the means of assisting veterans in need, as well as supporting the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen from the area who are deployed overseas.

McCandless retired from the Navy in 1999 and from Toyota Motor Sales in 2010. In 2011, was a Founding Member of the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center (MAFHC), a Michigan-based 501(c)3 corporation. MAFHC operates the Freedom Center military lounges at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and military processing centers in Troy and Lansing, Mich. He is a member of The Automotive Press Association, the Naples Press Club and The U.S. Naval Institute. He is a frequent contributor of opinion pieces in print and electronic media, including Proceedings Magazine and numerous military and veteran blogs.

To request communications assistance, veteran organizations should send an e-mail to: johngmccandless@gmail.com.