2020 Board of Directors Highlight: Brad Hilliard, President

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Contributed by PRSA Oregon partner Allen Hall PR,
University of Oregon

 

 

A new year always marks a new beginning, an ambition for growth, and an opportunity for change. For us at the PRSA Oregon chapter, a new year also marks the start of a new term for our board of directors.

In 2020, we welcome our new president, Brad Hilliard, for his fourth year serving as a member on the board of directors. Having worked in the field of public relations for a span of 11 years, Hilliard has some notable career highlights, as well as personal plans for leading our chapter in another year of success.

A Passion for Public Relations

Hilliard took an early interest in public relations while attending Middle Tennessee State University, located in his home state, to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication. After taking an Intro to Public Relations course, the rest was history. His newfound interest led to three separate internships, all of which he completed while earning his degree. The knowledge and experience gained through both coursework and various internships allowed him to land his first paying public relations job at State Farm, where he worked for 17 years.

It was during his time at State Farm that he also met his wife, a Texas native, who joined him on a multi-state move around the U.S. for both of their careers from Michigan to Colorado.

The Power of PRSA

When Hillard was presented with the opportunity to move to Phoenix, Arizona, he found himself looking for a new job—knowing that he and his wife always wanted to end up in the Pacific Northwest. He utilized his resources by reaching out to the PRSA community to begin his job hunt. A friend of Hilliard, who was also a fellow PRSA member, introduced him to Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services’ communications director. Soon after setting up an informational interview, he was presented with the opportunity to begin his career with the department.

“It was an ideal opportunity, and proof that the PRSA community you build will be there when you need it most,” Hilliard said.

Hilliard currently lives in Salem, Oregon, where he serves as the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services’ public information officer. Although he has only been with the department for two years, he has helped prepare the state’s insurance commissioner to testify before the Federal Ways and Means Committee and introduced one of the nation’s first prescription drug price transparency programs.

Future Vision

Given the significant change that came with three chapters combining into one, Hilliard is hopeful about continuing the success that has come from this ambitious merge. The largest goal of 2020 is for the board of directors to “Hit their SPOT”:

“As a volunteer board, we will keep our work simple but impactful. We will continue to find ways to efficiently complete our most important tasks.

We will be precise. This means focusing on exactly what our members need and expect. 

We will be organized. We will clearly state our intentions, continue to improve our processes, and leave the chapter, like this year’s board is doing for us, in a better place than we received it.

Finally, we will be timely. We will help the chapter thrive by providing timely professional development, networking, and advancement opportunities for all our members.”

He continues, “This organization has meant a lot to me and I am honored to give back. We will take all that we have learned and built in recent years to continue building a great chapter for all of our members in 2020. I am excited to go on this journey and hope that our professionals and students are ready to, like former President Barbara Kerr said, not just join, join in.”

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To our 2019 Board of Directors, thank you for a year of service and dedication to our chapter.

To our new 2020 Board of Directors, we welcome your service at the start of another decade of helping our PRSA Oregon chapter succeed.

 

Antique postcard style graphic of Oregon

Candidates for the 2020 PRSA Oregon Board of Directors

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The 2020 slate of candidates for the PRSA Oregon board of directors are an accomplished and diverse group of public relations professionals, committed to support the organization’s mission “to advance the art and science of public relations in the public interest by supporting our members and community.” The PRSA Oregon Chapter is one of the most active in the nation serving nearly 300 professional communicators in Oregon and SW Washington.

Officers and Executive Committee:

President: Brad Hilliard, APR
Public Information Officer
Department of Consumer and Business Services

Brad Hilliard is the Public Information Officer for the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, the state’s largest consumer protection agency where he manages communications for the state insurance commissioner and regulator of financial products and services. His public relations career spans 11 years, serving as a public affairs specialist, government relations manager, media relations manager, and public information officer.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University in 2000.  He reached his goal of living in the Pacific Northwest when he moved from Colorado to Oregon in 2009. 

 

 

President-Elect: Judy Asbury, APR
Assistant Dean, Communications and External Relations
Lewis & Clark Law School

Judy Asbury oversees all law school communications and manages the development team at Lewis & Clark Law School. Working closely with the Dean of the law school, Asbury creates communications designed to enhance the school’s reputation, and inspire its alumni to engage and support the school.

Prior to moving  to Portland in 2016, Asbury founded the award-winning communications agency Smith Asbury Inc. in the greater Los Angeles area and managed its success for 20+ years. Asbury and her firm were recognized for strategic counsel and creative campaigns for a variety of clients in higher education, healthcare, financial, law, business, and nonprofits.

In 2012, Asbury focused on serving higher educational institutions, notably for Caltech and the University of La Verne.  


Secretary: Meghan Gardner, MA 
Vice President, PR
Matter, Inc.

As head of the Portland office for Matter, Meghan brings both an eye for detail and clarity of strategic vision to every client program. Her media relations, C-suite communications counsel, and messaging strategy skills have delivered exceptional results for brands from Netflix and Nordstrom to Avid Technologies, Acme Packets (now part of Oracle), Eli Lilly and Company, and the Business Roundtable. Here in Oregon, she oversees a team of 15 servicing clients in a variety of industries, including B2B technology, information security, financial services, manufacturing, food and beverage, consumer services, and marketing technology.

 Meghan’s career spans two decades, two continents, and both U.S. coasts. Her yoga mat comes with her everywhere she goes. And at last count, Meghan owned five library cards. She lives in Southeast Portland with her husband, daughter, and wirehaired pointing griffon (a very fine name for a very goofy dog).


Treasurer: Taraneh Fultz, APR
Integrated Marketing Programs Manager
Cambia Health Solutions

Taraneh Fultz, APR, is a fifth generation San Franciscan (and Giants fan) who loves PR, hates the snow and makes the best baklava – ever.

Currently, she serves as integrated marketing programs manager at Cambia Health Solutions. Previous positions with the organization include field marketing analyst and senior field marketing analyst. Taraneh also chairs Cambia’s employee resource group for female employees, the Women’s Employee Leadership Lab (WELL). Her contributions have resulted in features in Portland Monthly and awards from Forbes, the Portland Business Alliance and Mogul.

Taraneh is accredited in public relations by the Universal Accreditation Board, has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Oregon and a certificate in project management from Portland State University. In 2007, she was awarded the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Portland Metro Chapter’s New Professional of the Year, and a decade later, she received the PRSA Oregon Chapter’s Olga M. Haley Mentorship Award. She has held board positions with PRSA and the American Marketing Association, including as (the first millennial) board chair of PRSA’s Portland Metro Chapter and PRSA’s North Pacific District.

Taraneh lives in Southeast Portland with her family and is a founding member of the Ambassador Board of Albertina Kerr, Oregon’s oldest non-profit. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @taranehfultz.


Immediate Past President: Julie Reed, M.S., APR
Community Benefit Strategist
Legacy Health

Julie Reed is a communications strategist and leader with experience working with government, healthcare and non-profit organizations. Reed serves as a Community Benefit Strategist for Legacy Health, Oregon’s largest locally owned nonprofit health system where she manages development and implementation strategies for community health improvement.  Previously she served as Public and Community Relations Consultant for Legacy Health where she managed communications and public relations projects, media relations and served as Legacy’s public information officer. Reed previously worked for Metro as a business strategy and public affairs manager. She serves on Franklin High School’s Parent Teacher Student Advisory Council and previously served on the boards of Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Children First for Oregon.

A native Oregonian, Reed holds a master’s degree in leadership from Capella University, a bachelor’s degree in communications, and is accredited in public relations from Public Relations Society of America., 


Directors:

Professional Development Co-Chair: Heather Back, MBA
Communications and Policy
Metro

Heather Back is a get-it-done gal with experience in cause marketing, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and corporate communications in for-profit, nonprofit and government settings. She manages communications and policy development for Metro’s Visitor Venues — the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Centers for the Arts, Portland Expo Center and the Oregon Zoo – building awareness of their significant economic return for the region from hosting conventions, exhibits and events that draw visitors and tourism dollars into the community. Back assists with development of strategic business opportunities, government and community affairs as well as media and public

relations efforts. Travel and tourism is a deep passion of hers, having also been a publisher for visitor bureaus for Portland Monthly and San Diego Magazines. Her experience and passion provides the public-private partnership background needed to ensure the Metro portfolio of venues thrive in supporting conservation, business incubation, and cultural richness to Oregon while also bringing vast economic benefits and job opportunities to the region.


Professional Development Co-Chair: Kyra Phelps
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW)

Along with her love for animals, Kyra’s passions include making a difference in the community through marketing and fundraising. She coordinates and plans the HSSW’s main fundraising events, Walk/Run for the Animals and their annual Dinner/Auction. She has five years of marketing and communication experience, including social media, email marketing, graphic design, online fundraising, event planning, and creating promotional plans. Kyra is excited to bring these skills to PRSA Oregon’s chapter. 

Kyra is a graduate of Eastern Washington University with a MS in Communication Studies and BA in Visual Communication Design. She and her husband recently relocated back to Vancouver after spending a few years in Georgia, where she worked at another humane society as the marketing manager. In her spare time, Kyra loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends.


Membership Co-Chair: Shawn Patrick Floss
Corporate Communications Manager
KinderCare Education

As Simon Sinek says, “start with why.” Part of Shawn’s focus as a corporate communications manager for KinderCare Education is explaining the why for executive leadership and sharing internal messaging with nearly 36,000 employees nationwide. Shawn’s passion for the craft takes him across the country each year as he works closely with the executive national board for PRSA’s Employee Communications section. 

 You can usually find him running long distances through Portland streets or hiking and golfing throughout Oregon.


Membership Co-Chair: Eric Johnson
Public Relations Coordinator, 
Explore Lincoln City

As the PR Coordinator for Explore Lincoln City, Eric has written successful pitches that have been featured in USA Today, Smithsonian.com, Men's Journal and Forbes. Eric has spent his career in the destination marketing industry and is a Travel Oregon award-winning professional.

Born and raised on the Oregon Coast, Eric is proud to call Lincoln City home for the
last 5 years. Eric has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and an MBA from Oregon
State University. When he is not busy spreading the good word of Lincoln City, Eric
is also the Public Information Officer for the Devil’s Lake Water Improvement District, where his PR expertise has contributed to improving the lake’s health. Eric is a PRSA-Oregon member in good standing and is currently pursuing his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). On his rare days off, Eric enjoys running, hiking, reading and enjoying a micro-brew with friends and family.


Communications Co-Chair: Gina Williams, MS
Communications Strategist, Freelance Journalist
Carpe Verbum/Carpe Lumen Communications 

Gina Williams is a Portland-based marketing communications strategist, publicist and freelance journalist. She owns Carpe Verbum/Carpe Lumen Communications. Her clients include a creative focus camera lens manufacturer, the Siena International Photography Festival in Siena, Italy, and others. As a journalist, she focuses on photography and photographers internationally, as well as arts, culture and travel.

Williams holds a master’s degree in strategic communication from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. She has served as PRSA Oregon board secretary and volunteer as Co-Chair and website support for the PRSA Oregon Communications Committee.

 

 

Communications Co-Chair: Christine Tully, MA
Senior Content Producer
Oregon Health and Science University Foundation

Christine Tully is a storyteller with a mission, and seeks out, crafts and shares the incredible stories of OHSU and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. She brings five years of writing and communications experience, including feature writing, social media, email marketing, project management and photography.

Previously, she worked at AAA Oregon/Idaho as the digital marketing specialist. Over one year
ago, she moved to Portland from her hometown of Spokane, Washington, where she worked as the publications editor and content specialist at Eastern Washington University.

She recently earned her master’s degree in strategic communication from Washington State University. In her spare time, she loves to hike, explore Portland, and spend time with family and friends.

 

 

Advancement Co-Chair: Jaimee L. Fox, MA, APR 

HR Communications Manager, Multnomah County Health Department
Board of Directors, PRSA Oregon 

Fox’s professional experience ranges from community service and public speaking to government and the nonprofit sector. As a versatile PR professional, Fox has progressive experience developing strategies that drive objectives and align with company values.

A native Oregonian, Fox received her bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in political science and global studies from Washington State University and a master’s degree in public relations from Michigan State University.

 

 

 

 


Advancement Co-Chair: Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA
Publix Northwest

Dianne is a longtime PRSA devotee. In 2017, she was awarded the National Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Paul Lund Award for Public Service; the PRSA North Pacific District Practitioner of the Year and the PRSA Oregon Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award. She’s an experienced leader with a history of working in public relations, public affairs and communications and skilled in corporate communications, executive coaching, crisis management, nonprofit organizations, media advocacy, and social media strategy. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Oregon and certificate in E-Commerce and Marketing from Portland State University.

 

 

 

 

Regional Co-Chair: Jolene Kelly
Public Information Officer
Marion County, Oregon

Jolene Kelley has worked in local government for more than 20 years and currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the Marion County Board of Commissioners in Salem, Oregon. Her government experience includes office administration, public works, and public safety including serving as a 9-1-1 director.

As a one person shop, Jolene currently manages countywide communications efforts including media relations, social media, employee communications, public outreach, and constituent services. During her career with Marion County, Jolene has overseen the implementation of an annual report, website redesign, countywide e-newsletter program, and a customer relationship management system. She has been a member of PRSA since 2013 and is working toward her public relations accreditation. Jolene and her husband have three grown children and share their home with four rescue dogs and two rescue cats. They all agree the Chihuahua is in charge.

 

 

Regional Co-Chair: Elizabeth (Liz) Candello, Ph.D.

Integrated Strategic Communication
Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
Washington State University

Elizabeth Candello, Ph.D., Arizona State University, is a clinical assistant professor at The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication in Vancouver, WA. She has nearly a decade of experience in the communication and technology industries in the Seattle, Austin and Phoenix media markets, working with various clients, including Microsoft, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington Dairy Initiative and the Western Climate Initiative. Her research examines how organizations use relationships to influence health behaviors and how knowledge is produced and co-created among low-income populations. Her work includes the examination of social support and collaboration within organizations; cultural identification and minority representations; and service use among those who live below the federal poverty level. She is the founder of Aisle10.org, an organization that provides non-food items to those eligible for SNAP.

 

 

 

Assembly Delegate: Dave Thompson, APR
Former Public Information Officer and Supervisor (Retired)
Oregon Department of Transportation

Dave Thompson, APR spent 20 years as a TV News reporter/producer/anchor and then 20 more as a public relations executive and spokesperson for a variety of companies and industries, including Director of Corporate Communications for a pre-IPO angel-invested startup and Public Information Officer and supervisor for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Dave specializes in strategic planning, crisis communications planning and media interview coaching. Dave has presented his series of classes on how to be interviewed to hundreds of people, including four PRSA, IABC or IAP2 chapters, three national conferences and half a dozen government agencies. Dave has provided media training to Oregon’s state executive leadership training program for most of the past decade. Dave has also co-taught FEMA’s G-290/291 Basic PIO three-day course to about 1,000 government communicators over the last ten years.

 

 

Assembly Delegate: Lise Harwin, APR
Employee Communications Manager 
Port of Portland & Portland International Airport

For 17 years, Lise Harwin made a career in media relations — pitching organizational stories ranging from life-saving at a Level 1 trauma hospital to life-affirming at the American Red Cross to life-changing in higher education. Now she’s turned her corporate raconteuring and social media savvy inward, transitioning to employee engagement and communication for the Port of Portland and PDX, America’s Best Airport. Lise most recently served as VP of Communications for PRSA’s Employee Communications section and has presented several times at the section’s annual Connect conference.

 

From Our President: A Great Start to 2019!

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It’s been a productive start to 2019 for PRSA Oregon’s board of directors. I’m excited about the enthusiasm, energy, and great work being done by the chapter’s leaders and committee volunteers.

The PRSA Oregon board just finished its 2019 strategic plan. That plan is a built around a vison of PRSA Oregon as a thriving statewide chapter.  It includes four priorities that will guide our work and investments this year: membership value, engagement, leadership and excellence.

One of the board’s most important priorities as a thriving statewide professional association is to serve our members and support their professional development. We are committed to delivering quality programs, events and activities that are relevant and timely, that serve your professional interests, and provide value for your investment. Especially important is to ensure the chapter’s professional development activities are accessible by members throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Our members want to build professional networks, belong to something larger, and to make a difference.  An old proverb says, ‘you reap what you sow.’ What you give to your career and profession comes back to benefit you. It means being seen and heard and getting involved.

Here are some options to consider:

  • Volunteer for a PRSA committee .
  • Volunteer for our signature Communicator’s Conference on May 3.
  • Make time to attend a PRSA event, meet new professionals, and grow your network.
  • Advance your skills through contributed articles for the chapter newsletter.
  • Share your wisdom and experience through PRSA Oregon’s professional mentoring or APR readiness review.

The chapter offers many ways for you to connect, be involved and make a difference. Take that next step! It will make a difference—to your career, to our chapter, and our professional community.

The board of directors is committed to effective leadership and being good stewards of our chapter resources.  We strive to be the best leaders we can be, to mentor emerging leaders, and to use continuous quality improvement to evaluate and adapt our practices for the best results for our members and the organization.

Join us in advancing your career and helping to make this a great year for PRSA Oregon and the communities we serve.

Be sure to connect with PRSA Oregon on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and PRSAOregon.com.

Warmest regards,

Julie Reed, M.S., APR
President, PRSA Oregon

PRSA Oregon Statement in Response to DoubleTree Portland Incident

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PRSA Oregon is the state’s leading professional development association for public relations and communications professionals. We value and are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and being a professional organization that is welcoming to all.

As was widely published, in December 2018, the DoubleTree Hotel in Portland evicted Mr. Jermaine Massey, an African American hotel guest, who was falsely accused of loitering. PRSA Oregon soundly denounces the treatment of Mr. Massey.

PRSA Oregon has a longstanding relationship with the DoubleTree by Hilton Portland Hotel. The hotel has served as an event venue for PRSA Oregon’s professional development events, including our signature Communicators Conference. The recent racially-motivated incident at the hotel raised serious concerns about whether our organizations share the same values, and we advised the Doubletree Hotel of our position and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The DoubleTree has been responsive to Mr. Massey and the community at large. We acknowledge the DoubleTree’s corrective action that included a public apology to Mr. Massey, terminating employment of the staff involved with the incident, and a public statement of commitment to ongoing and specific actions to evaluate and change business and human resource policies and practices to demonstrate a commitment to DEI principles and ensure this situation is never repeated.

PRSA Oregon will continue to be a vigilant proponent of diversity, equity and inclusion — in our practices and with our community and professional peers. We ask you to join us in supporting this important agenda.

Julie Reed, M.S., APR

2019 President, PRSA Oregon

 

Ensuring Strong Governance for PRSA Oregon

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by Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA

2018 was also an extraordinary year of governance at all levels of PRSA. In this year’s National Leadership Assembly in October, PRSA Oregon’s three delegates heard spirited debate from national leadership, delegates and members on important topics such as membership veracity and what improvements might be made in the Code of Ethics.  The topic of what constitutes a member in “good standing” may seem obvious but many felt more refinement was needed on the topic. Also, conversations were had about what should be the proper policy if a member is found to have violated the Code of Ethics and what the outcomes might be. PRSA Oregon’s delegates participated and realized that changes were needed in our own chapter’s bylaws to comply with the national-level changes. Additionally our chapters’ merger also required key updates in our bylaws.

Additionally, our Nominating Committee wanted to ensure our bylaws do not impose any barriers to service in chapter committees, events and in leadership. Finally, there were some minor inconsistencies that needed to be reconciled. Thus, we are updating the bylaws with these changes. You will note the edits and suggestion revisions are in red and highlighted in yellow so you can follow along- see these suggested revisions submitted here for your approval.

Review the proposed Bylaws HERE

2019 Board Elections

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Creating New Pathways to Leadership in PRSA Oregon

by Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA

2018 has been an extraordinary year for our chapter. There were still growing pains from our statewide merger of three chapters becoming one and some board vacancies created opportunities for refocusing on priority strategies and important conversations.  The Presidents’ Council (comprising 12 former chapter presidents) punched in to support the priorities and helped the evolving board to implement succession planning, engage new professionals, put on the amazing Spotlights Awards, and create relevant and much-needed professional opportunities.  A huge amount of credit goes to the 2018 Board of Directors for managing this transition in amazing, self-directed ways. It speaks highly of the caliber of PR pros that lead our chapter.

So, when the PRSA Oregon Nominating Committee began the work several months ago, the committee knew it had big shoes to fill. The committee‘s strategic goals to:

  1. Cultivate awesome leaders who work in broad array of sectors, and are diverse in age, market, experience, and culture/ethnicity.
  2. Build on 2018’s great expertise with key returning board members Pete Donahue; Sally Ridenour, APR; Judy Asbury, APR; Colby Reade, APR; and Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA.
  3. Bring in smart pros who we can support strategic succession planning.
  4. This coming year, we are affirming our committee for the importance of accreditation, with nine board members (if elected) who are Accredited in Public Relations (APR).

2019 Proposed Org Chart

PRSA Oregon 2019 Board of Directors Election Details and Slate of Candidates

President –  Julie Reed, APR

Julie Reed is a communications strategist and leader with experience working with government, healthcare and non-profit organizations. Reed serves as a community and public relations consultant for Legacy Health, Oregon’s largest locally owned nonprofit health system.  She manages communications and public relations projects, media relations and serves as Legacy’s public information officer. Reed previously worked for Metro as a business strategy and public affairs manager. She served on the boards of Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Children First for Oregon.

A native Oregonian, Reed holds a master’s degree in leadership from Capella University, a bachelor’s degree in communications, and is accredited in public relations from Public Relations Society of America.

President elect – Brad Hilliard, APR

Brad Hilliard is the Public Information Officer for the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, the state’s largest consumer protection agency where he manages communications for the state insurance commissioner and regulator of financial products and services. His public relations career spans 11 years, serving as a public affairs specialist, government relations manager, media relations manager, and public information officer.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University in 2000.  He reached his goal of living in the Pacific Northwest when he moved from Colorado to Oregon in 2009.

Secretary – Andrea Watson, APR

Andrea Watson is strategic communicator with experience in communications, public relations, outreach, and resource development in the pubic, nonprofit and health care sectors. She joined the Tualatin Valley Water District in 2017 as the Communications and Public Affairs Supervisor. She previously worked for fourteen years as Communications Director at Reynolds School District, which provided many challenging opportunities in crisis and strategic communications, as well as event and volunteer management.  

She holds a Master of Public Administration from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Science in community health education from the University of Oregon.

Treasurer – Gary Rubin, APR

Gary Rubin is the co-owner and global director of marketing and communications at Premium Organics, LLC, an international pet food company. He previously served as the Managing Director of Earned Media at CMD. He has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, marketing and communications and has won more than 30 PRSA Oregon Spotlight Awards during his career.

He earned his accreditation in public relations in 2008 and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Puget Sound.

Director – Judy Asbury, APR

Judy Asbury oversees and implements marketing communication strategy to promote the reputation of the Lewis & Clark Law School. Previously, she led Smith Asbury Inc., an award-winning communications agency for more than 25 years. She is recognized for her counsel and creative campaigns for clients in higher education, healthcare, financial, law, business, and nonprofits. Asbury created many B2B and B2C campaigns, earning awards from PRSA IABC, HPRMA, Davey Award and others. Judy is a skilled presenter and facilitator and has served as a guest lecturer at the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University and at Woodbury University.

Director – Debra Carnes, APR

Debra Carnes is the communications and marketing director for the Columbia network of PeaceHealth, which includes hospitals in Vancouver and Longview. She relocated with her family from Seattle last June.  Her career spans more than 25+ years in strategic communications, marketing, media relations and public affairs in the public and private sectors. She’s advocated for teachers statewide, provided PR consulting services for numerous companies, served as the communications director for a governor’s campaign, and managed critical communications challenges for a state bar association.

Carnes holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Idaho and an MBA from City University of Seattle.  She was a member of the PRSA Puget Sound chapter and served on the board.

Director and Assembly Delegate – Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow

Dianne is a longtime PRSA devotee. In 2017, she was awarded the National Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Paul Lund Award for Public Service; the PRSA North Pacific District Practitioner of the Year and the PRSA Oregon Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award. She’s an experienced leader with a history of working in public relations, public affairs and communications and skilled in corporate communications, executive coaching, crisis management, nonprofit organizations, media advocacy, and social media strategy. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Oregon and certificate in e-commerce and marketing from Portland State University.

Director – Shawn Patrick Floss

Mr. Rogers knew it well, “The best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts.” Inspired by Mr. Rogers, Floss serves with great empathy and compassion helping to lead employee communications at TriMet. He works closely with senior leaders to develop strategy and drive engagement throughout the agency.

His storytelling background comes from more than 15 years as a television news anchor and reporter. His work included covering Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the space shuttle Columbia explosion, and the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver that nominated President Obama.

Director – Patrick Holmes

Patrick Holmes leads internal communications at OHSU, a nationally prominent research university and Oregon’s only academic health center with over 16,500 employees and 3,500 students and trainees. In this role he oversees OHSU-wide internal communications strategies and channels as well as internal communications for OHSU’s hospitals and clinics.

Patrick earned a bachelor’s degree in social science at Portland State University, with an emphasis in communications.

 

Director – Jaimee Mayfield, APR

Jaimee Mayfield is the Human Resource Communications Manager for Multnomah County Health Department. Mayfield’s professional experience ranges from community service and public speaking to government and the nonprofit sector. As a versatile PR professional, Mayfield has progressive experience developing strategies that drive objectives and align with company values.

A native Oregonian, Mayfield received her bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in political science and global studies from Washington State University and a master’s degree in public relations from Michigan State University.

Director and Assembly Delegate – Colby Reade, APR

Colby Reade is the Director of Communications for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.  Colby regularly volunteers as a career mentor to young professionals, even hosting his own podcast on the subject (“Coffee with Colby”). A PRSA member since 2011, Reade joined the board of PRSA Portland in 2014 and helped oversee the chapter’s transition to PRSA Oregon as President in 2017.

When not in the office, Colby can be found attending Disney princess dance parties with his young daughter and indulging in the delicious culinary creations hand-crafted by his amazing wife.

Director – Sally Ridenour, APR

Sally Ridenour is an award-winning government communicator with a specialty in web-based communications. She currently works for the Oregon Department of Transportation as the chief content strategist. Prior to working for the state, she worked in sales and marketing.

She is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. She is the 2018 membership director for PRSA Oregon and a committee member for the North Pacific District. Sally is a graduate of the University of Idaho. In her spare time, she enjoys entering recipe contests and going on adventures with her husband and dogs.

Director – Gina Williams

Gina Williams is a Portland-based marketing communications strategist, publicist and freelance journalist. She owns Carpe Verbum/Carpe Lumen Communications. Her clients include a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization, a creative focus camera lens manufacturer, and the Siena International Photography Festival in Siena, Italy. As a journalist, she focuses on photography and photographers internationally, as well as arts, culture and travel.

Williams holds a master’s degree in strategic communication from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. She has served as PRSA Oregon board secretary and volunteer with PRSA Oregon Communications Committee providing website support.

Past President – Brian S. Terrett, APR, Fellow PRSA

Brian S. Terrett is the Director of Public Relations and Community Relations for Legacy Health. He is responsible for strategic communications and reputation management for one of Oregon’s largest healthcare systems. Brian also served as the Director of Public Affairs & Communications for PeaceHealth Oregon Region and was the Community Affairs Manager for US West for Western Central Oregon.  

Brian earned an MBA from Northwest Christian University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. He earned his accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and was recently inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows.

PRSA Oregon Chapter Announces New Leadership for 2018

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The Oregon chapter of the Public Relations Society of America announces its selection of the 2018 board of directors, following the Annual Membership Meeting and Elections held Nov. 8, 2017.

2017 signified a landmark year for PRSA, as the organization experienced a successful and historic merger that established the unified chapter of PRSA Oregon. During a year of vast change, the recent integration of the Oregon Capital, Greater Oregon and Portland PRSA chapters skillfully applied its position as a statewide organization, as well as utilizing its enhanced ability to cultivate professional development and implement its resources throughout a vast region.

During recent months, a 20-person Nominating Committee assembled a compilation of outstanding candidates for the 2018 slate. The carefully-selected contenders included PRSA members from across Oregon with a variety of backgrounds in government, healthcare, higher education, nonprofit and public relations agency work.

Julie Williams, the 2017 president-elect of PRSA Oregon, was eager to attract influential leaders in 2018 that would work to continue the chapter’s transformation in the new year.

Members of the newly-elected 2018 board of directors include President Brian Terrett, APR, Interim Secretary Tracey Lam, Treasurer Siobhan Taylor, Immediate Past President Colby Reade, APR, Assembly Delegates Gail Dundas, APR, Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, PRSA Fellow and Julie Manning, APR, Events Director Victoria Wagner, Member Director Sally Ridenour, Service Director and Nominating Committee Co-Chair Casey Boatman,  Advocacy Director Erin Merz, APR Sponsorship Director Michael Lewellen, APR and Communications Director Judy Asbury, APR.

One outstanding position is that of president-elect and will be selected in the coming weeks by the 2018 Board of Directors.

“Oregon’s PRSA presence is one of the strongest among PRSA chapters around the country. We’ll continue to provide strong and skilled leadership at the national level and strengthen our reputation as a key voice in local, regional and national governance,” said Dianne Danowski-Smith, PRSA Oregon Assembly Delegate #2.

Looking forward, PRSA Oregon is excited to establish a strong presence among PRSA chapters throughout the country. Each of the newly-elected members of the new board of director’s have voiced exhilarating goals for 2018.

2018 Annual Membership Meeting Recap

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Annual Membership Meeting & Elections Goes Virtual

On Nov. 8, 2017, PRSA Oregon hosted its first annual membership meeting and election results via webinar to celebrate this founding year’s efforts and next year’s elected leaders with 22 members joining online (of 32 registered attendees).
The 2018 board of directors slate was announced on Oct. 24 and voting was open through Nov. 7 via electronic ballot, 16 days in advance of the annual meeting in accordance with chapter bylaws, during which 48 members voted.
New Board Elected Unanimously
Twenty-two of the 32 registered members for this event cast their vote, forming a majority of annual meeting registrants. All nominations passed unanimously (Note: abstaining was not available on a role-by-role basis).  The election results are announced here.
The electronic voting and virtual meeting was a different format than chapter’s have done in the past and was very well received by the 22 members (+ seven of us in “green room”) who tuned in and engaged via chat throughout the webinar.
Attendee comments include:

Eric Jones: This e-meeting is great! Highlight of the year so far

Sherryll Hoar: Good way to hold a statewide meeting. Thanks.

Andrew Thompson: Great Kimmel reference, Colby.

Kathy Hubbell, APR, Fellow PRSA: This is a great way to hold a meeting!

Andrew Thompson: I’m excited to be a part of this organization. Thanks to the 2017 board for your leadership. Excited for 2018!

Elisa Williams: Great job you guys on this meeting.

During the webinar, presenters from the board reported on the following in addition to recap posts shared on our blog as linked:
  • Welcome & Overview – 2017 President Colby Reade, APR
  • Business Meeting
    • Assembly Report – Assembly Delegate Dianne Danowski-Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA
    • Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Dave Thompson, APR
    • Membership Report – Membership Director Siobhan Taylor
  • 2017 Transition Accomplishments – 2017 President-Elect Julie Williams, APR, MA
  • Election Results – 2017 President-Elect Julie Williams & Service Director Taylor Long
  • Looking Ahead to 2018 – 2018 President Brian Terrett
  • Q & A – 2017 President Colby Reade, APR
It is not possible to recap in 60 minutes the 3,500+ hours of volunteer efforts contributed this year. Overall, these collective efforts were well represented even as time constraints limited presenter’s from appreciating every person’s and teams’ contributions.
To learn more about reports, accomplishments and plans, review the PowerPoint presentation (Note: large file due to imagery), listen to the the webinar and/or watch the webinar (skip ahead to beginning at 00:26:30) .
Upcoming Service Celebration
We can look forward to celebrating with all volunteers on Dec. 12, 5:30-7 pm, when we gather in the back room of Rogue Brewery & Distillery in NW Portland. Event details will be sent directly to volunteers and up on the website very soon.

PRSA Oregon Celebrates Banner Year

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New 300-Member Chapter Marks Completion of Historic Merger, Hosts Two Signature Events to Close out 2017

Portland, Ore. – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is in the midst of a major celebration as it caps off a banner year in the state of Oregon. The nonprofit professional organization dedicated to the growth and advancement of the practice of public relations opted to merge Oregon’s three chapters – Portland, Oregon Capitol and Greater Oregon – into a unified, statewide chapter.

“By merging our chapters from three regional groups into one, statewide organization, it becomes much easier for us to connect and network,” said Colby Reade, APR, PRSA Oregon President. “It also opens up vast opportunities for our organization to offer a much wider range of professional development and skill-building resources to our members.”

The merger is the result of several years of deliberation and collaboration by members from all three chapters. The decision appears to be a success as the organization is enjoying a substantial membership increase year-over-year.

Spotlight Awards Announced

Along with the merger of all of the chapters around the state, PRSA Oregon announced the 2017 recipients of the prestigious Awards of Distinction at this year’s Spotlight Awards Ceremony, held on October 20th at the Willamette Valley Country Club. They include:

Professional Award of Excellence

Nicole Early was selected as the 2017 New Professional Award of Excellence which is presented to a “rising star” who has entered the field of public relations in the past 5 years. The award is presented to a professional who has demonstrated his or her commitment to advancing public relations through career achievements, volunteerism, and the highest standards of professionalism.

North Pacific District PR Practitioner of the year, Paul M. Lund Award for Public Service, Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award

Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow, had a very active fall as she was honored with the PRSA North Pacific District’s 2017 PR Practitioner of the Year, and the national Paul M. Lund Award for Public Service along with the PRSA Oregon Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award.

The Lund Public Service Award honors a PRSA member whose participation as a volunteer in important public activities has increased the common good and reflected credit on the society. The Ron Schmidt Community Involvement award is given to a public relations practitioner who has performed exceptional service to the community, to achieve results that help the greater good.

Olga M. Haley Mentorship Award

Taraneh A. Fultz APR, a current senior field analyst at Cambia Health Solutions, was announced as the winner of the Olga M. Haley Mentorship Award, an award given to a PRSA Oregon Chapter member who demonstrates exceptional mentorship of others as they advance their careers in public relations.

 William W. Match Lifetime Achievement Award

John Mitchell, APR, Fellow PRSA, has been awarded the William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award for 2017. Mitchell, a professor in the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications, was given this award because he has invested significantly in developing public relations as a credible profession, accomplishing landmark professional achievements and furthering the goals of PRSA.

For additional details on the event and winner bios, please visit prsaoregon.org.

Communicator’s Conference

Another key highlight of the year was May’s Communicator’s Conference in Portland, Oregon. Drawing hundreds of attendees from around the Pacific Northwest, a variety of speakers, including the University of Oregon, ODOT, Portland Public Schools and REI the conference offered insights on a variety of topics centered on the theme of “Leading Strategies”.

Founding Board Members of PRSA Oregon:

President: Colby Reade, APR

President-Elect: Julie Williams, APR

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer: Dave Thompson, APR

Secretary and Chief Operations Officer: Tracey Lam, APR

Leadership Assembly Delegate: Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA

Leadership Assembly Delegate: John Mitchell, APR, Fellow PRSA

Communications Director: Beverly Brooks

Director of Student Affairs: Megan Donaldson

Director of Service: Taylor Long

Director of Events: Olivia MacKenzie

Sponsorship Director: Amy Ruddy

Director of Membership: Siobhan Taylor

Immediate Past President: Mark Mohammadpour, APR

Immediate Past President: Jill Peters, APR

Immediate Past President: Loralyn Spiro, APR

Annual Meeting

A brand new board of directors will be elected during our 2017 Annual Membership Meeting & Elections held on November 8th, via a webinar. In addition to the elections, current and incoming Chapter leadership will review 2017 highlights including the transition to a statewide chapter, 2018 priorities and hear elections results of the incoming board.

About PRSA Oregon:

The PRSA Oregon chapter, which serves approximately 300 public relations professionals in Oregon and Southwest Washington, supports lifelong professional development and honors excellence in public relations. More than one-fifth of chapter members have earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), the profession’s only national post-graduate certification program. The Oregon chapter is led by an all-volunteer board of professionals from across the state. Signature events include the annual Spotlight Awards, honoring excellence in public relations, and the Communicator’s Conference, a professional development event held once a year. The Oregon chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of 109 PRSA chapters across the country.

Final Transition Steering Committee Report: October

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Finishing Strong

At our final Transition Steering Committee meeting for 2017, we took a few minutes to celebrate the momentum we’ve built. We’ve been so busy working on projects, that I think even we were surprised by everything that our newly formed regional chapter had accomplished when we reflected upon the year.

As the final report of year, let’s take some time to review the details of the journey, directly leading to the plans for next year. This will be a long post, but I think you’ll be reassured and reminded that we apply the same passion and process to running the chapter as we do to our profession.

One-Year Plan Turns Into Two

In March, we had gathered in the same conference room at Make-A-Wish to review all of the commitments and programs grandfathered in by the former chapters, along with all of the transition tasks, that needed to be considered in combining the three local chapters that had served Oregon and SW Washington for the last 60 years.  There were nearly 100.  

At the time, we determined we couldn’t pursue them all this year. We resolved to undertake the transition over two phases in two years and prioritized projects for 2017 that best set up the chapter for success and that would ultimately bring the most value to our members.

Phase One: Nearly Complete

Work on phase one projects is nearly complete.  As we wrap up in November, last steps are to:

  • Back up and redirect the former chapters’ websites to the new PRSA Oregon website;
  • Finalize an inventory of the chapter’s accounts and subscriptions;
  • Complete the updated Policies and Procedures document compilation;
  • Send out chapter pins to founding members who didn’t attend events where they were distributed (please email your address to [email protected] if you need your pin sent to you!);
  • Reconcile final expenses from the former chapters to complete for the final annual income statement and balance sheet of the chapter’s finances;
  • Hold an orientation in November of newly elected board members;
  • And, have a virtual annual membership meeting & elections in November so everyone can attend!
Phase Two in 2018

We’ve also clearly defined what needs to get done next year as part of phase two of the transition. We have a well-documented road map built off our 2017 action plan to share with the incoming board during orientation.

This plan will guide the newly formed Executive Committee that is taking over the transition management and comprises officers, assembly delegates, immediate past president, for 2018 the communications director as well.

This team will take over for the ad hoc Transition Steering Committee from 2017 and the Statewide Governance Committee in 2016 and hold a quarterly call to make decisions and measure progress.

The Transition Phase 2 action plan includes:

  • Strategic priorities summary
  • Proposed schedule and milestones
  • New organizational chart
  • New job descriptions
  • New manuals, along with volunteer and board training
  • Detailed activity and task recommendations
Phase Two: Big Projects

The Executive Committee will oversee six phase two projects in order to complete the smooth transition of three chapters into one chapter that’s built on operational and communications best practices.

The six big projects support the current strategic priorities:

Sustainable Systems

  • Integrated annual budget across programs to ensure cost effectiveness
  • Useful and ethical policies & procedures manual to steer volunteer-run operations
  • Revised bylaws approved by national to reflect the organizational and programming structure

Consummate Communications

  • Comprehensive marketing and communications plan that will include external and internal strategies, including considerations of how to deploy technology to unify members
  • Membership engagement survey to set a baseline for the chapter in 2018 and then enable regular feedback and measurement the “pulse of the membership”

Everybody Connects

  • New database tool for tracking membership engagement and relationship management
Changes, FAQ for 2018

The creation of next year’s priorities, projects and programs were all influenced by our Listening Tour where we learned ideas and input, plus heard concerns and barriers, directly from members.

We’ve integrated as much of our findings into the planning process as feasible for 2018, including these additional changes throughout the year.

January

With all 25 committee members committed, the Service team will provide volunteer orientations.

We will also host a virtual annual membership meeting.

Q: Why another annual meeting so soon?

A: Because currently our bylaws required an “annual meeting” hosted prior to Nov. 30 in order to elect a board, but the membership preferred an annual membership meeting as a “state of the union” to kick off the year. Once switched in 2018, then the next one will be January 2019. Elections will likely remain separate, administered remotely and electronically.

February

To reflect our broad geography, we will host quarterly, in-person board meetings around the region instead of monthly in-person board meetings.

Q: So the board will only meet 4 times?

A: Not quite. The Executive committee (comprising half the board) will meet quarterly and likely remotely,  the board will meet quarterly and in-person, and each of the six program committees (events, membership, service, advocacy, sponsorship, and communications) will meet quarterly and in-person ideally though perhaps more frequently via remote meetings, to make decisions and measure progress. That breaks down to about a monthly meeting and potential travel per board role, which seemed reasonable. Some will have more meetings if they also serve on a subcommittee.

April

We will start the nomination committee process earlier and hold the service draft in June to nominate board members, followed by the service draft in August to nominate committee members.

Q: Why start so soon in the year?

A: The nominating, recruitment and commitment process is a long one. So that board members can be elected prior to the PRSA International Conference, as and if amended in our bylaws, we need to start sooner than July like in the past.

 Phase You: Getting Involved

Throughout the year and during the Listening Tour, we’ve consistently heard how excited members are about the changes, process and progress. Our unofficial motto this year has been: “it takes a village.”

So, how can you help out next year?

  • Host a board meeting at your office
  • Suggest or introduce contacts at a destination venue for CommCon or Spotlights
  • Work with the events team to set up a tour at a local media outlet
  • Volunteer — one-time events, self service, currently open roles (check out our writer opening) or suggest something else!

Those are just a few starter ideas, we’d love to hear more. Please reach out to [email protected].

Above And Beyond

Personally, I’m very proud of the Transition Steering Committee team:

Beverly, Dave, David, Elisa, Jill, Lily, Loralyn, Maritza, Mark, Megan, Siobhan, Taylor, Tracey, and consultation from Colby and Brian – what we accomplished and the connections we made in the process with so many members around the region.

Instead of monthly conference calls, this team opted to meet in-person every month, offered up their offices to host (with AV and snacks!), and stayed well past the scheduled meeting time every month in order to plan effectively and execute comprehensively because, in their words’, “the work was just too important.”

We knew what an honor it was for the membership to entrust the Transition Steering Committee, in consultation with board, with the mission to smoothly integrate three chapters into one.

We feel confident that this founding year set a strong foundation for future leaders to meet the chapter’s and profession’s needs going forward. Vision 2020, here we come!

Yours in Service,
Julie

Julie Williams, APR, MA
2018 PRSA Oregon President-Elect
Transition Steering Committee Chair
Outreach Task Force Co-Chair