valerie gabriel-swenson

Valerie is our president and the woman whose passion and expertise have become the foundation of our agency over the last decade. VGS is an extension of Valerie's signature style: equal parts creativity, energy and know-how, with a service attitude.

In more than 25 years of marketing, public and media relations, event planning, client service and fund-raising, Valerie has accumulated a rich experience and a personal contact base that is unparalleled in the metroplex and extended throughout the country. Valerie's business and community leadership was featured in a Dallas Morning News "Snapshot" profile in 2004.

Every VGS client becomes the beneficiary of Valerie's knowledge and extensive network of relationships with business, media and society contacts. Valerie personally advises on each account, ensuring that clients receive the maximum benefit from their marketing investment. This personal, focused and accountable approach is instilled in the way VGS works. It is the essential factor behind our growth from a staff of two and a small client base, to our current incarnation as a tight team of six professionals working closely with a wide range of clients, from small local businesses to global technology leaders.

Valerie has long been committed to charitable work. A shining moment for the agency was the 2002 opening of Gilda's Club North Texas in Dallas. Virtually from day one, Valerie has served as the PR and communications chair on the Gilda's Club board, helping to get the word out about this important cancer resource. Gilda's Club North Texas is part of an international network of clubs named in honor of Gilda Radner, with 26 locations open or planned. Gilda's Club provides free social support to those with cancer and their friends and families. Valerie was recognized for her dedication to Gilda's Club North Texas with the opening of the Katy Arbour/Valerie Gabriel-Swenson Support Wing.

Additional board memberships include USA Film Festival (past President, PR Chair, Executive Committee), Undermain Theatre (PR Chair) and school board of Prince of Peace Christian School in Carrollton. Past memberships include 1999 Easter Seals Super Bowl Saturday (Co-Chair), Easter Seals Media Advisory Board (Co-Chair), 1999 Annual Chip Moody Pro-Am Classic (PR Chair), American Diabetes Association's Annual Boo Ball (PR Chair), 500 Inc. 30th Anniversary (PR Chair), and the City of Carrollton (Museum Board Member).

Before launching VGS, Valerie enjoyed a successful career with Richfield Hospitality Services as Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing and Corporate Director of Marketing. Valerie was responsible for a portfolio of hotels in the Central and Eastern United States. Honors included Director of Sales of the Year and the Public Relations Achievement Award. Working with the Southland Center Hotel, Valerie helped the hotel earn nominations for the prestigious Governor's Volunteer Leadership Award, the Dallas Business Committee for the Art's Obelisk Award and the JCPenney Golden Rule Award. The hotel was also honored as "Corporation of the Year" for Family Gateway, a Dallas haven for the homeless.