The History of CWC-FPRA

January 28, 1966 marked the launch of today’s Central West Coast (CWC) chapter as the seventh FPRA chapter statewide. As with all of the early chapters, this was not the official name until 1982, when chapters were renamed to reflect their geographic location. For the first 16 years, the chapter that represents Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties was known as the “Ringling Chapter.” Initial membership was 15 with Ira Powers as the first president. The first “job bank” posted the Manatee Chamber of Commerce manager position offering a salary of $9,000/year.The Ringling Chapter hosted its first state conference in 1976. Previous state conferences were at the Playboy Clubs in Miami and Tampa featuring, among other things, belly-dancing performances. The early “Florida Publicity and Public Relations Association” (FPPRA) was established to encourage Florida Chamber executives to devote more attention to publicity and tourism.By 1970, the chapter had 35 members and grew to 39 by 1977. Major growth came in the 2000s with record membership of 123 in 2008, composed of 50% non-profits and 50% for-profits. A new dynamic for networking and professional development emerged. Through the years, the chapter built valuable collaborations with the Nonprofit Resource Center of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, Poynter Institute, Suncoast AdFed and numerous online and print media outlets. The first half-day media breakfast was organized in 1997.In 2006, CWC celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala event that honored Aaron Cushman with CWC’s first Lifetime Achievement Award. Cushman’s 50-year PR career highlights are summarized in his book A Passion for Winning: Fifty Years of Promoting Legendary People and Products. A few of his clients included The Three Stooges, Sammy Davis, Jr., Keebler, Maytag, Marriott Hotels, the Chicago White Sox and Chrysler Corporation.In 2007, CWC hosted its second state conference at the Ritz-Carlton incorporating the theme, “PR: The Convergence of Art & Science,” which was spearheaded by Erin McLeod, the State VP of Annual Conference. One of the fascinating moments was watching Aaron Cushman and another PR legend, Harold Burson of Burson-Marsteller, on the stage respectfully, but very competitively, interacting. Both men were in their 80s.

Accreditation and Certification

Statewide accreditation began in 1974. The first CWC members to be accredited were Edie Anson, APR, Roberta Palmer Hamilton, APR, and Ginnie Duffey Troyer, APR, CPRC, earning their credentials in 1988.

As of September 2021, 26 current CWC-FPRA members have earned their APR credentials and 15 have achieved their CPRC.

Through the Years

In the early 80s, there was a consistent effort in the chapter toward professional development. The Tylenol scare happened in 1982 and created an urgency to write “disaster preparedness plans for rumor control and a timely diagram of communications for emergencies.” CWC was ahead of its time with several members becoming expert presenters around Florida.The Chapter Management Report was initiated by Bob Davis, Ph.D., APR, CPRC, when he was state president in 1988. It’s been completed by EVERY chapter president since and plays a major role in determining the state president’s conference awards.As the chapters grew and financial responsibilities increased, all chapters were required to prepare an annual budget by 1997. The Central West Coast Chapter was the first to earn the President’s Award for Chapter Administration and Financial Management under Cheray Keyes-Shima’s, APR, CPRC, leadership.CWC has always kept a high profile with technology and its challenges. The year of “Y-2K” and uncertainty about computers, data and our fragile dependence upon them was also the year for chapter President Ginya Carnahan, APR, CPRC, to focus on “PR: Bridging the Millennium.”Chater President Terri Behling, APR, CPRC, remembers spending hours preparing printed newsletters for mailed distribution in 2000-2001. Of course, first the newsletter had to be written and designed, then printed, labeled and finally mailed. The circulation of printed newsletters began slowing down in the following years, eventually ceasing.In 2001, chapter President Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC, President-Elect Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC, and Immediate-Past President Terri Behling, APR, CPRC, were all pregnant, prompting a much repeated joke about what was in the water of the “leadership stream.” All three babies were born within two months of each another.FPRA’s 65th Anniversary was in 2003, and CWC helped create and participate in the statewide theme of “Celebrate FPRA” led by chapter President Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC. The chapter designed and produced “Celebrate FPRA” t-shirts and established chapter participation fairs to encourage members to get more involved in committees and the board.

CWC members at the 2007 FPRA state conference in Sarasota.

In 2008, FPRA State President Suzanne Sparling, APR, honored the Central West Coast Chapter by naming it the “Outstanding Chapter of the Year” at the 70th Anniversary FPRA Annual Conference. Chapter President, Dee Zulauf, APR, stated, “It was a moment we will always remember. It was the hard work of an outstanding board, the supportive past presidents and the wonderful members of the chapter that helped us achieve this recognition.” Under the leadership of chapter President Julie Platt, APR, CPRC, in 2010-2011, CWC initiated a partnership with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and its hundreds of members. The two organizations planned a half-day event providing public relations sessions for small businesses and received positive feedback from participants. The event was held for three more years. During Sally Hill’s chapter presidency in 2011-2012, CWC focused on growing social media engagement CWC’s blog, Facebook and Twitter pages. After several years of decreased membership numbers following the 2009 recession, CWC rebounded through strong professional development programming and networking. With 109 members, CWC won a President’s Award for Membership in 2019 during the presidency of Rhonda Leiberick, APR. The CWC is very fortunate to have seasoned members including Joe Curley, APR, CPRC, an international PR professional and longtime FPRA leader, as well as enthusiastic and innovative rising leaders and business and nonprofit partners to help practice and promote the ethical standards that form the foundation of FPRA.

The CWC-FPRA 2019-2020 board of directors In 2020, Chapter President Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, successfully lead the chapter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quickly pivoting from live to virtual events. CWC was the first chapter to hold a live-streamed Image Awards ceremony. Despite the circumstances, five chapter members earned APR designations and one earned CPRC certification. Livengood was named Chapter President of the Year, and the chapter also earned President’s Awards for Community Involvement and Accreditation. Chapter President Eleni Kouvatsos, APR, continued to keep chapter members engaged as the pandemic continued in 2020-2021. With a focus on professional development, she initiated a LeadershipFPRA scholarship for a chapter member. In addition, a record-breaking number of conference scholarships were awarded to chapter members who may not have been able to attend otherwise: nine full conference scholarships and two partial scholarships. Chapter membership held steady at 108, and Eleni brought home President’s Awards for Financial Management and Networking.

All CWC conference attendees took the stage to receive the Chapter of the Year award from Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC, in 2022!

In 2021-2022, CWC became the largest chapter in the state with 117 members. Chapter President Melanie Reda, APR, CPRC, asked each board member to incorporate a focus on serving members as we returned to in-person events and on embracing diversity, equity and inclusion. CWC was named Chapter of the Year and also received President’s Awards for Membership and DEI.

Milestone Moments

1995 Ginnie Duffey Troyer, APR, CPRC, served as FPRA’s state president, the first CWC chapter member to do so.
2000 Ginnie Duffey Troyer, APR, CPRC, received the Dillin Award.
2003 Ginya Carnahan, APR, CPRC, received the Fleischman Award.
2007 Erin McLeod was named FPRA State Member of the Year.
2009 Joe Curley, APR, CPRC, received FPRA’s State Past President’s Award.
2011 Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC, served as the Association’s president, only the second CWC member to do so.
2016 Terri Behling, APR, CPRC, served as the Association’s statewide president.
2016 Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC, received the Dillin Award, the Association’s highest honor.
2017 Cheray Keyes-Shima, APR, CPRC, received the John Dillin Professional Award, FPRA’s highest honor.
2018 Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC, received the FPRA Past President’s Award.
2020 Christopher Caroll, APR, CPRC, received the John Dillin Professional Award, FPRA’s highest honor.
2023 Joe Curley, APR, CPRC, received Life Membership, an honor given to only six FPRA members to date.

Statewide Awards

1991 Chapter President of the Year – Ginnie Duffey Troyer, APR, CPRC
1998 Chapter President of the Year – Christopher Carroll, APR, CPRC
2000 Chapter President of the Year – Kendra Deringer
2004 President’s Award for Chapter Finances – Erin McLeod
2008 Outstanding Chapter of the Year – Dee Zulauf, APR, CWC President
2012 Chapter Award for Communications – Sally Hill
2012 Chapter Award for Best Website – Sally Hill
2014 President’s Award for Professional Development – Caroline Tanner
2015 President’s Award for Special Event Planning – Melissa Link
2016 President of the Year Award – Lynn Hobeck-Bates, APR
2017 Outstanding Chapter of the Year – Mischa Kirby, APR
2017 President’s Award for Promoting the Profession & FPRA – Mischa Kirby, APR
2018 President’s Award for Investing in FPRA Award – Tara Poulton
2019 President’s Award for Membership – Tara Poulton
2020 Chapter President of the Year – Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC
2020 President’s Award for Accreditation – Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC
2020 President’s Award for Community Involvement – Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC
2021 President’s Award for Financial Management – Eleni Kouvatsos, APR
2021 President’s Award for Networking – Eleni Kouvatsos, APR
2022 Chapter of the Year – Melanie Reda, APR, CPRC
2022 President’s Award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Melanie Reda, APR, CPRC
2022 President’s Award for Membership – Melanie Reda, APR, CPRC
2023 President’s Award for Community Relations – Sheryl Vieira
2023 President’s Award for Sponsorship Development – Sheryl Vieira
2024 Chapter President of the Year – Sarah Glendening
2024 President’s Award for Collaboration – Sarah Glendening
2024 President’s Award for Community Service – Sarah Glendening
2024 President’s Award for Credentialing – Sarah Glendening
2024 President’s Award for Professional Development – Sarah Glendening

Executive Board and Other State Roles

1998 CN Chair – Ginnie Duffey Troyer, APR, CPRC
2002 VP Chapter Services – Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
2003 VP Membership – Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
2004 VP Professional Development – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2005 VP Professional Development – Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC
2005 VP Annual Conference – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2006 VP Chapter Services – Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC
2006 VP Public Relations – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2006 VP of Membership – Erin McLeod
2007 VP Annual Conference – Erin McLeod
2008 VP Membership – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2009 VP Finance – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2010 President-elect – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2011 President – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2011 VP Annual Conference – Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
2012 Immediate Past-president – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2013 CN Chair – Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC
2014 FPRE Foundation Chair – Virginia Carnahan, APR, CPRC
2015 CN Chair – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2015 VP of Golden Image – Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
2016 President-Elect – Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
2017 President – Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
2017 VP of Finance – Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC
2018 VP of Professional Development – Lynn Hobeck-Bates, APR, CPRC
2018 Immediate Past President– Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
2020 FPRE Foundation Chair– Coleen Thayer, APR, CPRC
2020 VP of Finance – Christopher Carroll, APR, CPRC
2021 VP of Membership – Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC
2021 VP of Golden Image – Elise Ramer, APR
2022 CN Board Member – Joe Curley, APR, CPRC
2022 VP of Membership – Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC
2022 VP of Golden Image – Elise Ramer, APR, CPRC
2022 FPRE Foundation Chair – Jennifer Moss Wilson, APR, CPRC
2023 CN Board Member – Joe Curley, APR, CPRC
2023 VP of Finance – Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC
2023 VP of Research and Planning – Lynn Hobeck Bates
2023 VP of Student Services – Elise Ramer, APR, CPRC
2024 VP of Research and Planning – Lynn Hobeck Bates
2024 VP of Annual Conference – Elise Ramer, APR, CPRC
2025 VP of Annual Conference – Elise Ramer, APR, CPRC
2025 LeadershipFPRA Board – Travis Cornwell

LeadershipFPRA Class Members

Class II – Cheray Keyes-Shima, APR, CPRC
Class III – Suzanne Dameron, APR, CPRC
Class IV – Eleni Kouvatsos, APR
Class V – Melanie Reda, APR. CPRC, and Sheryl Vieira
Class VI – Erin Hoffer, APR, CPRC
Class VII – Hunter Carpenter and Travis Cornwell
Class VIII – Jennifer Hemmerdinger and Kaylea Schule
Class IX – Laura Ansel, APR, CPRC; Jennifer Linzy, APR; and Jodel Velarde

Joe Curley Rising Leader Class Members

2014 Tara Poulton
2015 Jeremy Piper
2016 Rhonda Leiberick, APR – Joe Curley Rising Leader Recipient
2017 Sharon Kunkel, APR
2018 Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC
2019 Eleni Kouvatsos – APR Scholarship Recipient
2020 Andrea Knies, APR
2021 Sarah Glendening
2022 Hunter Carpenter – LeadershipFPRA Scholarship Recipient
2023 Travis Cornwell
2024 Laura Ansel, APR, CPRC – LeadershipFPRA Scholarship Recipient