Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, named board president; Kendra Gemma named ‘Member of the Year’
The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) recently installed its 2019-2020 board of directors and recognized outstanding members during the Chapter Awards & Board Installation at the Sarasota Yacht Club. The event was a celebration of the past year of successes—which included significant recognition at the recent state conference—and opportunities for the coming year.
The following members were honored during the program: Kendra Gemma was named Member of the Year; Elise Ramer earned the Ginya Carnahan Promoting the Profession Award; Melanie Reda earned the Thomas Nunan Rising Star Award; Andrea Knies earned the Ginnie Duffy Troyer Award of Professionalism; and Rachel Denton and Enriqueta Balandra each received an Award of Appreciation.
The board was installed by the state association’s incoming president, Alyson Lundell, APR, CPRC; each member will serve a one-year term. The chapter continued the honored tradition of the passing of the gavel by all attending former presidents of CWC-FPRA, and then outgoing local board president and event facilitator Rhonda Leiberick, APR, welcomed Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC as the new president.
“What a pleasure to recognize our outstanding members, who have continually gone above and beyond to promote our chapter and the public relations profession,” said Leiberick. “It has been an honor to lead our chapter in the tradition of excellence for which it has been recognized year after year.”
CWC-FPRA 2018-2019 Board of Directors:
- President: Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, The Eclipse Agency
- President-Elect: Eleni Kouvatsos, First Watch Restaurants, Inc.
- Immediate Past-President: Rhonda Leiberick, APR, Habitat for Humanity Sarasota
- VP of Finance: Kendra Gemma, klg communications
- Finance Director: Crystal Rothhaar, Senior Friendship Center
- Sponsorship Director: Melanie Reda, APR, FCCI Insurance Group
- VP of Communications: Heather McLain, On Ideas
- Media Relations Director: Sheryl Vieira, Caldwell Trust Company
- Digital Engagement Co-Directors: Michelle Bente, Van Wezel, and Rachel Denton, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections
- Creative Director: Daniel Hodous, Marketing Squared
- Editorial Director: Sharon Kunkel, Wordslinger Marketing & PR
- VP of Professional Development: Andrea Knies, Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
- Events Co-Directors: Shelby Isaacson, Bogart Labs, and Brian Craft, Realize Bradenton
- Image Awards Director: Elise Ramer, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
- Accreditation Co-Directors: Jennifer Moss-Wilson, APR, CPRC, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, and Lynn Hobeck-Bates, APR, CPRC, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- VP of Membership: Murray Devine, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
- Membership Engagement Director: Sarah Glendening, The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center
- At-Large: Joe Curley, APR, CPRC, Universal Studios Parks & Resorts
CWC-FPRA meets monthly for professional development luncheons and networking. Visit www.cwcfpra.com for more information.
