CIT Curt Ritter 2010 Leasing News Person of the Year

C. Curtis Ritter
CIT Vice President
Director of External and Internal Communications
& Media Relations

During very tough times as CIT (NYSE: CIT ) struggled to survive in the financial meltdown of the banking and finance industry, Curt Ritter was everywhere. The CIT vice president did not duck the news media, instead staying positive, he rallied the troops, gave interviews, and in fact appearing to never sleep.  

His role as CIT Director of External and Internal Communications & Media Relations was recognized by the Public Relations Society of America as he received “2010 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence, Crisis Communications.” 

Many others were involved in CIT's financial time of need, as the government appeared backing out of its original position on helping banks and financial institutions. But Mr. Ritter was the one with the contacts in the media and who had developed strong relationships with the media.

Ritter, who not only answered questions, but was building support through his news media contacts. For the last five years, he has arranged interviews for Leasing News with CIT executives, department managers, branding programs, always returning telephone calls promptly, and seemed to work both evenings and weekends. In short, Ritter is always available. 

He achieved the goal of getting the news media behind CIT in its time of need. Ritter even had us reaching out to politicians as I did to all my old contacts in San Francisco where I knew many of them from my radio and TV news days before they were elected to higher positions. Leasing News took an editorial stand and contacted other media, too. They listened as it came from a colleague. 

While Leasing News does not run many press releases, that is not the case with CIT as it is "thank you" for his professional approach in dealing with the news media. He has been instrumental in the success of the company he represents. 

It also should be noted he is responsible for the development and management of the CIT "Media Room," the best Leasing News has seen not only in the finance and leasing industry, but a benchmark for banks and other corporate media sites. 
http://www.cit.com/media-room/index.htm

Prior to CIT, he was first vice-president and director of corporate communications for W.P. Carey for five years, almost three years as First Deputy Press Secretary, Office of the May of New York City/Rudy Giuliani/three years with Edelman Public Relations; MBA Columbia University, Columbia Business School; BA, Arizona State University, Broadcast-Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/curtritter

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.