DAVID KALSON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
David Kalson has extensive experience in developing strategic communications programs relating to scientific, energy and environmental issues and their associated industries. He conducts media training and is an expert in issues and crisis management.
He has counseled companies and organizations that include energy clients Entergy, Repsol YPF, Areva, Irving Oil, Canaport LNG, New York Regional Interconnect, and KeySpan Energy on issues ranging from nuclear power and public safety; transmission line, pipeline and facility sitings; emerging renewable energy technologies; and carbon reduction initiatives. He has also provided counsel on environmental communications strategies for the full range of business sectors. He has led programs that address highly emotionally charged issues such as environmental impacts, climate change, product contaminations and recalls, NIMBYism, and he has extensive experience interacting with lobbying and government relations firms on behalf of legislative initiatives at state and federal levels.
Mr. Kalson has a B.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in Communications from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He enjoys sea kayaking on Long Island Sound and plays tenor sax in the rock cover band, The Derivatives.
TODD AYDELOTTE
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
A veteran of the public relations industry, Aydelotte founded Ricochet Public Relations in 2000 after eight years at Rubenstein Associates, the New York public relations firm owned by Howard Rubenstein. He is an expert on media communications in crisis environments. Today, as the President of Ricochet, he manages the company’s thought leadership and business development initiatives.
In 2007, PR Week named Aydelotte as one of five finalists for its prestigious PR Professional of the Year award.
A native of Rochester, New York, Mr. Aydelotte earned a BA from Dickinson College and an MA in Journalism from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He is an amateur musician and lives on the Upper East Side with his wife and son.
MELISSA BARATTA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Ms. Baratta is responsible for directing a range of company operations spanning account team management and optimization, company strategy and agency branding and marketing. With a strong background in stakeholder communications, she also provides program strategy and support for the company's key clients.
Previously, Ms. Baratta led the day-to-day management of several premier pharmaceutical and medical device accounts. She also oversaw all of Ricochet's technology clients across a variety of industries, including enterprise and Internet-based software, data center infrastructure, semiconductors and consumer electronics.
Ms. Baratta also serves as Vice President of Publicity for the New York chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (NY/IABC), where she spearheads event publicity and chapter marketing initiatives.
Ms. Baratta holds a BA in Public Communication and Journalism from Ramapo College and an MA in Communication, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University. Originally from Vermont, Ms. Baratta now resides in New Jersey where she enjoys boating and hiking in her spare time.