Local PR association announces board, honors outstanding members
SARASOTA, FL – The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) installed its 2017-2018 board of directors and recognized outstanding members during the Chapter Awards & Board Installation at Sophie’s at Saks in Sarasota. The event, which continued the honored tradition of the passing of the gavel by former presidents of CWC-FPRA, was a celebration of the past year of successes—including winning “Chapter of the Year” at the recent state conference—and opportunities for the coming year.
The following members were honored during the program: Sharon Kunkel was named Member of the Year; Kim Livengood earned the Ginya Carnahan Promoting the Profession Award; Murray Devine earned the Thomas Nunan Rising Star Award; and Wendy Parker Barsell, APR, earned the Ginnie Duffy Troyer Award of Professionalism.
The board was installed by the state association’s incoming VP of chapter services, Alyson Lundell, APR, CPRC, senior director of public relations for Universal Orlando Resort. Each member will serve a one-year term. Tara Poulton, government affairs program manager at Southwest Florida Water Management District, has been named the chapter’s new president.
“I have been involved with this chapter since 2005 and I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve as president,” said Poulton. “I look forward to continuing the chapter’s tradition of leadership excellence.”
The chapter’s board of directors includes: Poulton; immediate past president Mischa Kirby; president-elect Rhonda Leiberick; vice presidents Lynn Hobeck-Bates, Sharon Kunkel, Jill McGarry, Murray Devine and Kim Livengood; and directors Rachel Denton, Elise Ramer, Laitin Schwerin, Robyn LaPorta, Shelby Isaacson, Daniel Hodous, Sheryl Viera, and Alyssa Holcomb.
The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association meets monthly for professional development luncheons and networking. Visit www.cwcfpra.com for more information.
About FPRA
The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. The organization’s 16 professional and 12 student chapters provide professional development, networking, and recognition opportunities for nearly 1,500 members across the state. FPRA is the nation’s oldest public relations organization, established by Lt. Col. John Dillin, APR, CPRC in 1938. For more information, visit www.fpra.org.
