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
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,
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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