Steve Carr

Managing Director


Steve Carr is managing director, executive vice president, of The Investor Relations Co. and Dresner Corporate Services, based in Chicago. The firm focuses on bespoke programs for publicly held companies, as well as working with privately held companies to prepare for public offerings. Under Steve’s leadership, Dresner has introduced new services to help clients manage shareholder activism, compliance and governance issues. It also has strengthened its capabilities in meeting the specialized needs of microcap companies.

Among Steve's professional accomplishments are rebranding ValuJet Airlines as AirTran Airways following an internationally publicized accident in the Florida Everglades that brought the airline to the brink of bankruptcy. Steve’s consulting work for AirTran is featured in integrated communications expert Tom Duncan’s business school textbook IMC. He has handled numerous IPOs and M&A transactions as well.

Steve held progressively more responsible positions at Hill and Knowlton, Burson-Marsteller and Manning, Selvage & Lee, all in Chicago. He led the IR and PR groups at two nationally known integrated marketing firms, Cramer-Krasselt and Rhea & Kaiser.

A frequent lecturer and author, Steve is president of the National Investor Relations Institute- Chicago Chapter. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School and is a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). He also serves on the business advisory council of his undergraduate alma mater, North Park University.