Speakers
Carl W. Smith
Company: nGen Works, http://www.ngenworks.com
Bio: Carl Smith is a founding member of nGen Works, a design and interface development team that has been building some of the world’s finest hand-crafted websites since 2003. Carl has made a name for himself in the web world by always defending the needs and wants of the end-user. He has been privileged to lead teams that have been awarded the New York Art Directors Award For Interactive Development, The Hospitality Industry’s Best of Show Award, two National C.A.S.E. awards for Educational Web Development and has also been featured in Kelly Goto’s best selling book Web Redesign: Workflow That Works. Carl spends most of his free time complaining about sites that say “click here,” chasing his daughters, and praying they never make Spiderman 4.
Workshop: Workshop A1: It’s A Matter of Trust
Dayna Steele
Company: Steele Media Services, http://www.daynasteele.com/
Bio: Dayna Steele is a speaker, entrepreneur and the author of Rock to The Top: What I Learned about Success from the World’s Greatest Rock Stars.
For years, Dayna was one of the top female rock radio personalities in the USA. With a legion of fans who referred to themselves as Steeleworkers, Dayna was known for her sultry voice, music knowledge and entertaining celebrity interviews. During her career, she was named one of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts by Talkers Magazine and nominated as Local Radio Personality of the Year by Billboard Magazine.
After leaving radio, Dayna created www.TheSpaceStore.com, the world’s largest space related e-commerce venture and www.SmartGirlsRock.com, a product line to encourage girls to make “smart the new cool.” She also founded www.OperationNationalAnthem.com, a series of free videos of U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq offered to venues throughout the country to play prior to the singing of the United States national anthem. For that, Reader’s Digest named Dayna one of the “35 People Who Inspire Us” in the May 2008 issue.
Dayna is married to a NASA pilot. She has three sons, one faithful Labrador and one faithless cat. There will be no more fish or hamsters.
Workshop: Closing Session: Find Your Inner Rock Star – Build Your Stage for Success!
Donald C. Jones, CEO
Company: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists , http://www.aace.com/
Bio: Donald (Don) C. Jones, a native of Jacksonville, has dedicated his entire 42-year career to medical association management; currently serving as the CEO of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) since 1997, and as former Executive Vice President for the Florida Medical Association (FMA).
Working for both a state medical association and a national medical specialty society have afforded him a unique perspective on organized medicine and enhanced his ability to provide extraordinary leadership throughout his career.
He is a 1967 graduate of Jacksonville University and began his career with the FMA in 1967 and served as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer from 1984 – 1996. With FMA, an organization with more than 17,000 members, he was responsible for the development, organization, coordination, and implementation of all activities of the association. This included management of finances, publications, personnel, and both the executive and field offices.
In 1997, he became CEO of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). As CEO of AACE, he has been responsible for the overall management and supervision of policies, programs and activities of AACE and its affiliated organization, the American College of Endocrinology, and for AACE’s for-profit subsidiary, AACECORP. Under his guidance and vision, AACE has truly prospered. The Association has grown from 2,805 members in 1997, to over 6,000 in the United States and 84 countries.
As an advocate for AACE members and the Board of Directors, he has spearheaded countless initiatives that brought the Association’s message on endocrine diseases and the important role of the clinical endocrinologist to Capitol Hill, the general public, and the medical community.
His strong business principles, tireless work ethic, and exceptional diplomacy were recognized in 2001 when he was awarded the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Executive Achievement Award for his service.
He was a member of the rotary Club of South Jacksonville for 25 years and served two terms as editor of the newsletter, as well as a member of the Board of Directors.
He and his wife of 43 years, Sharon, have two children; daughter Amy Bruns, who lives in Winston Salem, NC; and son Donald Jones II, of Raleigh, NC. They have five grandsons, all of whom Don says are perfect. Don and Sharon live in San Marco.
Workshop: Opening Session: Full Exposure - Managing the Media When There’s No Place to Hide
Joe Hice, APR
Company: The University of Florida, www.insidethegatornation.com
Bio: Joe Hice, APR, is associate vice president of marketing & public relations for the University of Florida, the nation’s second largest public university. He is responsible for marketing, advertising, public relations and employee communications activities at UF. He also directs the university’s news bureau.
Hice joined the university after a long career with some of the nations most respected and well-known recreational product brands including Harley-Davidson, Segway, Sea-Doo Watercraft, and others. He also has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degree in Journalism & Communications from the University of Florida, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin.
Prior to entering the corporate world, Hice was co-owner of his own public relations and marketing firm in Tampa and a vice president of the international public relations firm, Hill & Knowlton. He was also business editor of the Tampa Times Newspaper and a staff writer with Florida Trend Magazine and Tampa Bay Business Journal. He is Accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America.
He lives in Gainesville with his wife. They have two daughters, two cats, and three dogs.
Laura J. Brown
Company: Federal Aviation Administration, http://www.faa.gov/
Bio: Deputy Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs
Laura Brown has served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs at the Federal Aviation Administration since September 2000. Based at the FAA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., she manages a staff of 35 people located in eight cities across the country, and plays a major role in developing the agency’s media strategy. The FAA’s Public Affairs office handles all of the agency’s media and internal communications, speechwriting, and the FAA website.
Two and a half weeks after the Space Shuttle Columbia broke up on re-entry, the FAA loaned Laura to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board in Houston, where she set up and managed the CAIB’s public affairs team during the first two months of the investigation. She then moved back to Washington and continued to handle press for the board for the remainder of the seven-month investigation. The board held public hearings and press briefings in Houston, Cape Canaveral, San Antonio and Washington, D.C.
Before joining the FAA, Laura was the transportation reporter for the Boston Herald for 13 years, covering aviation, rail, transit, trucking and highway issues, including the Big Dig. She also worked in the Herald’s City Hall bureau and was as an editor and reporter for several weekly papers in the Boston area.
She is a graduate of Harvard University, with a degree in Government.
Workshop: Opening Session: Full Exposure - Managing the Media When There’s No Place to Hide
Mark Dvorak, APR
Company: GolinHarris, http://www.golinharris.com/Default.aspx/Home
Bio: Senior Vice President, GolinHarris
Mark provides counsel for a variety of the firm’s association, corporate, government and government clients, including the National Peanut Board. He is also a member of the Corporate practice team and Engage activism issues management specialty area.
He joined GolinHarris in 2006 with 15 years of experience in branding, integrated marketing communications and issues/crisis management. Most recently, Mark was chief marketing and communications officer at United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. There, he helped to transform the United Way brand locally and nationally from that of a fundraiser to a catalyst for community change. He is most proud of the launch and growth of United Way 211 — the nation’s three-digit telephone number for community services — and his contributions to ending chronic homelessness in the Atlanta region.
Active in PRSA throughout his career, Mark has been recognized as the Georgia Chapter’s Shining Star and was president in 2002. Mark taught in the public policy school at Georgia State University. He has an M.A. in journalism administration from the University of Memphis and a B.A. in communications and history from Loyola University New Orleans. When he’s not cooking up great ideas for clients, Mark’s at home in his own kitchen mastering Italian and Louisiana foods, or planning beach trips to his native Florida and beyond.
Workshop: Workshop C1: Resumption of Consumption: How the Peanut Industry Is Getting Back on Its Feet
Mary Harvey, APR, CPRC
Company: Agency a la Carte, http://www.agencyalacarte.com
Bio: Mary B. Harvey founded Agency a la Carte in 1992 to provide public relations and advertising consultation. She soon found a niche to fill as a staffing/recruiting expert in the field and now finds marketing communications professionals for contract assignments and direct hire placements throughout the U.S. The firm provides services to corporate marketing departments, ad agencies, small businesses and non-profit organizations. Clients include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Citibank, MPS Group, SteinMart, EverBank, BAE, Rayonier, MDI Staffing, FCCJ, UNF, HabiJax, and select advertising agencies.
Mary began her career at Jacksonville University as Assistant Director of Public Relations and spent 13 years with The William Cook Agency. She is an Accredited Public Relations professional (APR) and a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC).
Mary currently serves on the Board of Hubbard House and is past chair of the Vision Is Priceless Council and a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville. In 2000, Mary was elected to membership in the Jacksonville Women’s Network. She is a member of the Florida Public Relations Association, Women Business Owners of Northeast Florida and the Accomplished Business Advisory Council of the Jacksonville Chamber’s Women’s Business Center. In 2008, she was named one the Business Journal’s Women of Influence and was a finalist in the Women in Business Awards, entrepreneur category.
Mary and her husband, Jim, live happily in Arlington on Strawberry Creek. They enjoy exploring local waterways on their boat, Phantom of the Aqua and spending time on the best back porch in Florida with Roxie, their Yellow Lab, and Sundance, their Golden Retriever.
Michael Cherenson, APR
Company: Chair & CEO, PRSA, www.prsa.org
Bio: A 16-year industry veteran and the author of three studies on the impact of reputation, Cherenson is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board and Public Relations Society of America. His expertise extends to all disciplines of public relations including corporate, marketing, internal and crisis communication, government relations, event management and interactive public relations.
At Success Communications, he serves as chief public relations counselor and strategist and oversees all public relations activities for the firms’ diverse clientele.
In 2003 Cherenson was elected to a three-year term on the national Board of Directors of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the world’s largest professional organization for PR professionals, with more than 20,000 members. Cherenson also serves as chair of the PRSA Advocacy Advisory Board, and liaison to the Public Relations Student’s Board of Professional Ethics and Standards.
During his tenure on the Board of Directors, Cherenson co-authored a PRSA study on MBA Programs and their communication curricula. In 2005, Cherenson represented PRSA and the U.S. State Department and its Bureau of International Information Programs on a mission to Croatia where he served as a keynote speaker at the 6th Annual Croatian Public Relations Association Conference.
A member of The Fairleigh Dickinson University Corporate and Organizational Communication Board of Corporate Advisors and the Gibbs College Advisory Board, he is a past President of the NJ Chapter of the PRSA, where he was honored with its Service Award in 2002.
The father of three children – ages 9, 7 and 4 – Cherenson is a graduate of Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY and attended the prestigious Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) at George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Peter C. Knudson
Company: National Transportation Safety Board, http://www.ntsb.gov/
Bio: Peter came to the National Transportation Safety Board in 2000 as a contractor in the NTSB’s 24-hour communications center where he assisted in launching “go teams” of investigators to accident sites around the globe. In 2002, he joined the Safety Board’s Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance where he provided family members of accident victims with information and updates about the progress of NTSB investigations. From 2003 until he joined the Office of Public Affairs in April 2007, Peter managed the marketing and communications programs at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia.
As an official spokesman for the NTSB, Peter has been quoted in hundreds of newspapers and other media outlets around the world, and has given live interviews for radio and television. He has coordinated the on-scene public affairs activities for the January 2009 ditching of an Airbus A-320 into Hudson River in New York City; the December 2008 high-speed runway excursion of a Continental 737 at Denver International Airport; the September 2008 high-speed runway excursion of a Learjet 45 in Columbia, S.C.; the September 2008 collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth, Calif.; the May 2008 collision between two MBTA trollies in Newton, Mass.; the November 2007 container ship accident and oil spill in the San Francisco Bay; and the August 2007 highway bridge collapse in Minneapolis.
Peter has also advised airlines, government agencies, airports, transportation equipment manufacturers, local authorities and others on how to respond to media inquiries following an accident that is under investigation by the NTSB.
He is the course manager for “Managing Communications During an Aircraft Disaster,” a two-day program delivered once a year at the NTSB Training Center just outside Washington, D.C. And he manages the one-day version of that course,” Crisis Communications for Transportation Professionals” that can be customized for any mode of transportation and delivered at any location.
Peter is a licensed private pilot and has a bachelor’s degree in communications and American studies from the California State University, Fullerton. An avid traveler, he has been on six continents and visited 38 counties, leaving only 157 to go.
Workshop: Opening Session: Full Exposure - Managing the Media When There’s No Place to Hide
Peter Shankman
Company: Help a Reporter Out, http://www.helpareporter.com/
Bio: PR Week Magazine has described Peter as “redefining the art of networking,” and Investor’s Business Daily has called him “crazy, but effective.” Peter Shankman is a spectacular example of what happens when you harness the power of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and make it work to your advantage.
An entrepreneur, author, speaker, and ingenious worldwide connector, Peter is recognized nationally and globally for radically new ways of thinking about social media, PR, marketing, advertising, creativity, and just about everything else, as well.
Peter is the founder and CEO of The Geek Factory, Inc., a boutique Marketing and PR Strategy firm located in New York City, with clients worldwide. His blog, which he launched in 2002, (www.shankman.com) both comments on and generates news and conversation.
Most recently, Peter launched Help A Reporter (www.helpareporter.com) which connects journalists with the sources they require using a social media platform. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is already over 36,000 members and growing, and has a growing stable of national journalists using the service on a daily basis.
Workshop: Luncheon Session: It’s not Web 2.0. It’s not Web 3.0. It’s Simply Life
Raffaela Marie Fenn, ABC
Company: National Peanut Board, http://www.nationalpeanutboard.org/
Bio: President and Managing Director
As President and Managing Director for the National Peanut Board (NPB) Raffaela “Marie” Fenn is responsible for developing and implementing strategic programs at the national and international levels. She brings a track record of successful strategic marketing, business communications, crisis management and public relations to the organization.
Marie joined NPB from Rayonier, a diversified forest and specialty pulp products company, based in Jacksonville, Florida.
In 2009, under her leadership, the National Peanut Board launched a new brand platform, Peanuts: Energy for the Good Life, connecting with consumers and the food industry on all that’s good about peanuts. Through the introduction of this campaign, as well as her guidance in the recent Salmonella issue, the industry is seeing a swift return to consumer confidence and increased consumption.
With over 20 years of public relations experience, she has worked on integrated marketing and communications programs, including image campaigns, grassroots movements, crisis and issues management and constituency-building initiatives. Marie has also worked extensively in media and community relations programs, marketing promotions, corporate communications and public affairs.
Born in Italy, Marie holds an M.B.A. from Jacksonville University and a BA in media studies from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, where she graduated magna cum laude. An accredited member of the International Association of Business Communicators, Marie is the recipient of dozens of professional awards and sits on numerous civic and community boards.
Workshop: Workshop C1: Resumption of Consumption: How the Peanut Industry Is Getting Back on Its Feet
Roberta Reid Doggett, APR, CPRC
Company: University of North Florida
Bio: Bobbi Reid Doggett, APR, CPRC, senior instructor of communications for the University of North Florida, has more than 20 years experience in the public relations field. She began her career as the community relations director for the American Lung Association of Florida in Jacksonville. Doggett’s degrees are from West Virginia University where she studied social science and journalism. She is accredited in public relations through the Public Relations Society of America and is certified as a public relations consultant through the Florida Public Relations Association. In addition Doggett has served as president for the North Florida PRSA and Jacksonville FPRA chapters and in various leadership capacities on the state level. Currently, she serves as accreditation chairman for the North Florida PRSA. Prior to joining the UNF faculty, she served for eight years as an adjunct faculty member in communication at Jacksonville University.
Workshop: Workshop D2: Accreditation and YOU: Achieving Your Next Step
Rollin Isbell
Company: Jaguars Media Services
Bio: Rollin Isbell serves as the Sales Manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars Media Sales Department within the Jaguars Corporate Sponsorship Department. The Jaguars Media Sales Department is primarily responsible for selling Jaguars Game Day and Week Day programming on Radio and Television and secondarily responsible for selling other Jaguars sponsorship inventories. He was named to his current position in April 2001 and is responsible for the development of new advertiser relationships as well as the service of existing advertising partnerships for the team.
Previously, Rollin was General Sales Manager for Renda Broadcasting in Jacksonville and has worked as a General Manager in the hotel industry.
Rollin was born March 14, 1959 in Lubbock, TX and has lived in Jacksonville since 1965. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature and Communications (Public Relations) from the University of North Florida in 1983 after attending the University of Florida. He and his wife, Jan, have one daughter, Kristen.
Workshop: Workshop B2: Getting More ROI for / from Your Sponsorships
Sharon Wamble-King
Company: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, http://www.bcbsfl.com
Bio: Sharon Wamble-King is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s (BCBSF) vice president, corporate communications. In this role, Wamble-King provides executive leadership for media relations, reputation management and corporate communications.
Prior to joining BCBSF in December 2006, Wamble-King served as vice president, communication strategy and internal communication for Aetna. Throughout her career, Wamble-King has held leadership positions for several large, complex and global organizations. She served as principal for Strategix Management Consulting in Castro Valley, Calif.; business consultant for Arthur Andersen, LLP, in San Francisco, Calif.; change communication consultant for William M. Mercer in San Francisco, Calif.; and executive staff and director for Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif. Wamble-King also held positions at Blue Cross of California.
During her career, Wamble-King has been active in community and professional organizations. She serves on the boards of WJCT, Public Broadcasting in Jacksonville and The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (APEC) in Orlando. She is a trustee at Florida Memorial University in Miami and represents Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida on the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women in Jacksonville. She also is a member of the Council for Communications Management, Public Relations Society of America, Society for Human Resource Management and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). She also has served as an international executive board member for IABC and trustee of the IABC Research Foundation.
Wamble-King holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts and Sociology from the University of the Pacific and a Master of Science in Mass Communication from California State University.
Workshop: Workshop C2: Strategic Corporate Communications and Execution
Steve Clements
Company: Executive Speak/Write, http://www.executivespeakwrite.com/index.htm
Bio: For 40 plus years, Steve Clements has taught, trained, written for, directed and produced in all aspects of performance from corporate communications to speeches and events, national network broadcasts, video, and boardroom and courtroom presentations, as well as a multitude of experiences across his 25 years as a Hollywood executive producer. Whatever his role, Steve has “talked the talk” he teaches as an oral communications and media trainer.
During his Hollywood years, he trained dozen of experts to greet national audiences, including Gary Collins, host of HOUR MAGAZINE which Steve executive produced; talk show hosts Bob Goen {ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT} and Pat Sajak {WHEEL OF FORTUNE}; world-renowned cardiologist and, subsequently, best selling author Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld; chef and entrepreneur Wolfgang Puck; “hair stylist to the stars” Jose Eber; fitness guru Richard Simmons and others.
As executive producer of the 1990s MICKEY MOUSE CLUB, Steve modernized the iconic 1950s version. His now equally well-known program gave rise to celebrities such as Keri Russell, JC Chasez (‘N Sync), Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
Throughout, he occupied the hot seat himself, serving as spokesperson for Disney, Westinghouse, FOX and other corporations. Steve recounts these and other experiences from his 3,000 national television broadcasts in a text/trade book, published by Silman-James Press, entitled Show Runner: Producing Variety and Talk Shows for Television.
Today Steve is co-owner of Executive Speak/Write, an oral and written communications skills improvement firm based in Atlanta, GA. The company provides one-on-one and group training programs for executives in oral and media presentations, enabling them to become their best and most comfortable “you.” In the academic environment, he sits as Distinguished Professor of Communications at Augusta State University (University System of Georgia) where he heads the Television/Cinema track, teaching undergraduates and MBA candidates.
Steve’s unique background enables him to serve as a performance trainer for public speaking, executive presence and media; speak as a multi-degreed theatre, film and television historian and producer; and talk as an honored professor and keynote speaker. In every instance, Steve brings his philosophy of success to his clients: Find the best you and practice it until it is second nature.Then utilize it for guaranteed success in every communications challenge.
Workshop: Workshop A2:And The Camera Is Rolling: 20 Points For Developing Your Teleconferencing / Media Skills
Todd Lynch
Company: St. John & Partners, www.sjp.com
Bio: Todd Lynch leads St. John & Partners’ PR practice as its Vice President and Director of Public Relations, providing the agency’s clients 20 year’s experience in the communications industry, including a diverse range of marketing and public relations expertise.
A graduate of Loyola University in Chicago, Todd moved to Jacksonville in 1991 and joined the William Cook Agency, where he provided comprehensive marketing and public relations counsel to clients including Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., Parisian, First Union, and The Jacksonville Jaguars. Successful initiatives he oversaw for these clients included research, community relations, crisis management strategies, and special promotions connected with sports sponsorships.
He then joined Bottary & Partners as its Vice President/Director of Client Services where he oversaw sports marketing, event planning, community relations, and employee-based recruitment and retention programs for the firm’s Sprint PCS and McDonald’s accounts. Todd joined St. John & Partners in 2001 and was promoted to Vice President and Director of Public Relations in 2004.
Prior to moving to Florida from his hometown of Chicago, he gained valuable experience in several retail environments. The combination of his hands-on retail experience and retail marketing, helps provide St. John & Partners’ clients insightful, targeted solutions to many complex issues, including employee communications, community outreach programs, and image management.
Workshop: Workshop B2: Getting More ROI for / from Your Sponsorships