May 2016 Member Spotlight: Tracy Greene

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May 2016 Member Spotlight: Tracy Greene

Tracy Greene, Public Information Officer, Amon Carter Museum of American ArtName: Tracy Greene

Job Title/Company: Public Information Officer, Amon Carter Museum of American Art

College/Degree/Graduation Date: TCU, Bachelor of Science in Advertising/Public Relations, 1999

Hometown: Dayton, Texas

Position within GFW PRSA (i/a): Hospitality Chair

Childhood ambition (what did you want to be when you grew up?): Broadcast journalist

Current livelihood (what you’re actually doing as a grown-up): Nonprofit public relations

First PR job: Communications coordinator at the Fort Worth Zoo

What you know now that you wish you’d known then: So many things!

  • The traditional media landscape will dramatically evolve in your career, so it’s best to get on board sooner rather than later. (When I started in PR, most people still read the newspaper, and a tweet was a bird call!)
  • It’s called media relations for a reason–the relationship is critical, even more so than a perfectly written news release.
  • You’ll do your best work on a small budget! Creativity goes a long way.

BestTracy Greene (2) piece of advice you’ve ever received: Two things come to mind. Trust your gut; your instincts are almost always right. Always have someone proof your work.

Greatest professional or personal accomplishment:

  • Planning and promoting a baby shower for an elephant, which generated international awareness for the Fort Worth Zoo’s elephant conservation program (professional)
  • Running a half-marathon after a leg injury delayed my first attempt (personal)
  • Raising kind and compassionate children (personal–and a work in progress)

If you weren’t in PR, you would be a: professional resume writer.

Desired legacy: I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference to my family, friends, coworkers and community.

Why did you originally join PRSA: To learn more about the profession and meet novice and seasoned colleagues

Finally, tell us about your hometown and what makes it cool: My hometown is very small–only about 7,000. There were more people at TCU (even in the mid-90s) than in my hometown!

March 2016 Member Spotlight: Laken Rapier

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March 2016 Member Spotlight: Laken Rapier

Laken Rapier - headshotName: Laken Avonne Rapier

Job Title/Company: Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator, Justin Brands, Inc.

College/Degree/Graduation Date: University of Kansas / Bachelor of Science in Journalism / May 2013

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas

Position within GFW PRSA (i/a): I help tweet during luncheons and events on occasion 🙂

Childhood ambition (what did you want to be when you grew up?): Growing up, I wanted to be a chef. I loved watching Food Network and insisted on visiting Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant in Orlando during a family vacation to Disney World and Universal Studios at age 8.

Current livelihood (what you’re actually doing as a grown-up: Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator

First PR job: I handled press and communications for a Member of Congress on Capitol Hill.

What you know now that you wish you’d known then: Identify what works for you, in order to be and give the best that you can. Recognize that sometimes you need a break or change of pace to make sure you’re always coming at your work in the most creative and energetic way you can, while giving not just 100%, but the best 100% you can give.

Laken RapierBest piece of advice you’ve ever received: I’ve received a lot of good advice. Here are some of my favorites that I remind myself of often: Actions create opportunities. Listening is very different from hearing. Use all your vacation days, because everyone needs time to recharge.

Greatest professional or personal accomplishment: One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is having an article I wrote nominated for a Hearst Award.

If you weren’t in PR, you would be: An attorney

Desired Legacy: My desired legacy is to be bigger than myself. I hope when I’m not present people still know what’s in my heart.

Why did you originally join PRSA? I joined PRSA after attending a few events with some coworkers. I found it was a great way to meet other PR professionals in the community, while continuing to learn and keep up with industry trends.

Finally, tell us about your hometown and what makes it cool.Flower Mound is a sleepy town, so much in fact that people I went to high school with made a music video about it lacking excitement. Is that cool?

GFW PRSA Master’s SIG Event Pics

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Our Chapter Masters Group hosted its first program of 2014 in the Pre-Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Betsy Price and Chief of Staff Jason Lamers conducted a round table discussion with 17 Masters members on Public Engagement and City Government.

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Members of the Chapter Masters Group met with Mayor Betsy Price and her Chief of Staff, Jason Lamers

Hope Caldwell Nancy Farrar Mayor Price Jason Lamers
Masters Group Co-chairs Hope Caldwell and Nancy Farrar with Mayor Betsy Price and Chief of Staff, Jason Lamers.

GFW PRSA April Luncheon Pics

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The April meeting of the GFW PRSA Chapter focused on the 50-year history and value of the APR designation.  A highlight of the program was recognition of members of the chapter who have earned the esteemed APR certification. The chapter boasts 27 APR members.

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PRSA APRs: Ken Ross, Laura Van Hoosier, Tom Burke, Bill Lawrence, Andra Bennett House, Linda Jacobson

APR honorees2
PRSA APRs: Susan Schoolfield, Michelle Clark, Gigi Westerman, Margaret Ritsch, Sandra Brodnicki, and Carolyn  Bobo

Sandra Brodnicki & Douglas Cannon
PRSA Program Chair Sandra Brodnicki with April speaker, Douglas Cannon, Ph.D., APR + M, who gave an engaging presentation on a case study illustrating the value of APR.

 

Monster Loyalty Event Photos

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An exuberant crowd of communicators was wowed Thursday night, March 27, by Jacki Huba, author of “Monster Loyalty” about Lady Gaga’s huge success with social media.

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Chris Smith, Jacki Huba and Lisa Albert

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Claire Bloxom Armstrong, Michelle Clark & Chris Smith

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Corey Lark, Jackie Huba, Rene Murphy & Richie Escovedo

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Claire Bloxom Armstrong