CSU officials test private-sector waters

FORT COLLINS — The top public relations executives from Colorado State University have left to open Isis Public Relations and Marketing.

Melissa Katsimpalis and Laura Sandell co-own the firm that specializes in developing communications and marketing campaigns, providing public-relations counseling and issues management, assisting with media relations, as well as fund raising and special-event planning.

“We want to help clients understand the evolving communications market and how they can use it,” Sandell said.

At CSU, Katsimpalis was executive director of the marketing department, and Sandell managed its public and media relations unit. The two said they considered launching their own firm for some…