Annette Merritt Cummings, founder and managing partner of Cummings and Company LLC, has over thirty years of experience in marketing and communications with leading U.S. companies ...ver maisAnnette Merritt Cummings, founder and managing partner of Cummings and Company LLC, has over thirty years of experience in marketing and communications with leading U.S. companies and non-profits, including DuPont, Gannett, and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the Department of Defense. During her advertising and public relations career, clients have included U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Ohio State University Athletics.
Prior to her retirement as Vice President and National Director of Diversity Services for Bernard Hodes Group, she advised clients on diversity branding, communications and recruitment and retention strategies for over twelve years. Annette served as a featured speaker and conducted numerous workshops and training sessions for many Federal agencies and Fortune 500 corporations. She was a contributing author to the book: On Staffing, Advice and Perspectives from HR Leaders. Annette’s most recent workshop was, “The Best of Times, The Worst of Times,” Cross-Cultural Communications for the Association of Training and Development (ASTD) South Carolina Midlands Chapter.
Based on her personal interest in history and the arts, Annette is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Columbia, Columbia Museum of Art and Americans for the Arts. She also volunteers at Historic Columbia and previously served as co-chair of membership for the American Association of University Women, South Carolina (AAUW-SC) and is a lifelong member of the Public Relations Society of America. Annette is an avid reader and belongs to the Richland County Library Sandhills Branch Thursday Book Club; enjoys historic travel; and the visual and performing arts. She recently joined in weekly Bible Study Fellowship sessions. She is a Civil War history buff and a devoted fan of the Cleveland Browns. Her husband, Iran worked as a General Motors district sales manager and is a gifted gardener and gourmet cook. Combined they have three children: Michael, Angela and Tahlia; seven grandchildren; and six great-grand’s.ver menos