About Us
Patti Goethals Rowlson
Founder and Communications Director
About Patti
I founded Bellingham PR & Communications in 2009 as a way to serve local businesses that operated in clear, transparent ways, just like we do.
My primary duties for BPRC include leading and supporting our team, consulting and assisting clients with corporate communications, developing messaging (voice, tone, feel) for a variety of uses, strategizing PR and communications initiatives, coordinating recruitment advertising campaigns, and providing direction related to branding. I also coach our clients to try new things and keep pushing forward with purpose.
When I’m not working on projects for BPRC clients, you’ll find me on a trail in Bellingham, spending time with family and friends, taking a yoga class, or traveling around our beautiful state.
Awards and Recognition: Professional Women of the Year finalist, 2017. Small Business of the Year finalist, 2015. Most Valuable Player, 2014.
I served as a contributing writer for Business Pulse magazine (2020 – 2021), The Bellingham Business Journal (2012-2015) and have been featured in Today’s Leading Women, Huffington Post and WhatcomTalk.
Podcast guest: Building Bellingham (2020), Bellingham Tonight (2020).
Past and present affiliations: Bellingham Chamber of Commerce (member 2021 – present, 2013 – 2015), Whatcom Business Alliance (member 2015 to present, board member 2019 – 2021), Pass the Hat board member (2016 – 2017), Barkley Toastmasters (member 2014 – 15, VP of public relations 2014 – 2015).
Matthew Anderson
Editor and Content Strategist
About Matthew
I joined Bellingham PR & Communications in June 2016. I am primarily a copywriter and editor, writing articles for clients and editing the work of others. My responsibilities also include producing social media content for a variety of Whatcom County companies, helping manage WordPress website edits, and providing graphic design services for our clients.
I earned a master’s degree in communications and media and have journalism experience working for various newspapers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
For the decade before joining BPRC, I was head of social media and in charge of several aspects of internal communications at WWU. I was a member of Western’s emergency communications team and received Federal Emergency Management Agency training in crisis communications.
As an adjunct journalism professor, I taught news writing, editing and public relations, and through Western’s Extended Education, I taught representatives of area businesses how to use social media to build community.
I have won awards throughout my career for writing, web development and journalism.
My wife and I were for several years foster parents in Whatcom County. We loved being able to care for those in need, but we let our license expire after adopting, giving birth and then adopting again (this last time through the state foster system).
Brit Volpenhein
Communications Coordinator
About Brit
I worked for BPRC in 2015 and 2016, then returned in 2022 after taking a break to start a home staging and decor business.
My responsibilities include assisting with social media management, publishing content on blogs and digital media accounts, recruitment advertising, and helping BPRC’s founder and content strategist complete various projects for our clients.
I earned an MBA in marketing/sports and events management from the University of Findlay, and I also have a Bachelor of Arts in interpersonal and public communications and business management.
Core values
Clarity
Communicate clearly. Be descriptive and assumption-free.
Transparency
Be open and honest.
Service
Humbly serve others.
Integrity
Earn trust, be respectful, value high standards.
Growth
Push to learn new things; change and evolve to remain current.
Empathy
Always consider others; encourage others in positive ways.
What you can expect
When you hire Bellingham PR & Communications, you can expect an experience that aligns with our core values. Our best work takes place when we have opportunities to work with individuals and companies that share these values.
Connected to the community
By staying involved with such local groups as the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and Whatcom Business Alliance, Bellingham PR & Communications maintains vital relationships with community leaders. If you’re interested in these groups, ask us what we know!
Committed to growth
Bellingham PR & Communications is committed to continual learning, as stated in our core values. That’s why we are members of the Public Relations Society of America, through which we have access to continuing education resources that help us evolve to stay at the top of our game.
