CONGRATULATIONS to our very own Jessica Rye, APR, for being recognized by the National Space Club Florida Committee!

Senior Manager of Regional Communications for ATK, Jessica Rye, APR, will be presented with the Harry Kolcum Memorial News & Communication Award on November 10, 2009.   Long-time member and Past President of the Florida Public Relations Association, Jessica will be recognized by the National Space Club Florida Committee (NSCFL) at their November luncheon.

Each year, the Kolcum Award “recognizes area representatives of the news media and communications professions for excellence in their ability to communicate the space story along Florida’s Space Coast and throughout the world,” according to the National Space Club website.  Also being recognized this year is Scott Harris, Anchor for Channel 13 NEWS.

Prior to joining ATK, Jessica served as the Chief of External and Internal Communications for United Launch Alliance, and she served as NASA’s primary spokesperson and public affairs officer for the Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center.  Prior to joining NASA, Jessica served as strategic media relations specialist for United Space Alliance.

In August, Jessica was named the Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Space Coast FPRA.  In 2007, Jessica served as State President of the Florida Public Relations Association, a 1,500-member organization.  Jessica earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 2001.

The Kolcum Communications award is named in honor of Harry Kolcum, the former managing editor of Aviation Week & Space Technology, who was Cape bureau chief from 1980 to 1993 prior to his death in 1994.  Kolcum was a founding member of the NSCFL.  In 2008, the award was presented to Leigh Holt, Brevard County’s Government Relations Manager, and Justin Ray, editor of Spaceflight Now, a Cape Canaveral-based space news website.

To be selected, honorees must be either a public affairs professional who speaks on behalf of a corporate, government or military organization that is involved with launch or mission operations along Florida’s Space Coast, or a professional member of the news media who regularly covers space and launch operations at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The NSCFL November luncheon and awards presentation is being held at the DoubleTree Oceanfront Hotel in Cocoa Beach on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm EST.  The cost to attend is $17.00 for NSCFL members, $20 for non-members.  Payment may be made at the door.  More information can be found at http://www.nscfl.org.

November 18, 2009

Suzie DeBusk presents ‘Understanding Emotional Intelligence at Work’ at our Professional Development luncheon at the Holiday Inn Viera!

Overview:  Despite equal intellectual capacity, training, or experience, some people excel while others of the same caliber lag behind.  Ever wonder why?  More than 25 years of research in the neurological field and specific study about factors contributing to success in the workplace have resulted in breaking through perceptions about intelligence.  Quantifiable data on performance across a myriad of industries and organizations has resulted in a body of study called emotional intelligence (EQ), the “intangibles” that predict success in the workplace.

Highlights & Objectives:  People rarely derail because of the lack of technical skills, but rather because of emotional failings.  This presentation gives leaders a solid understanding of emotional intelligence factors, how EQ impacts the workplace, and competencies related to developing higher levels of emotional intelligence.

At the end of this session, participants will:

1.       Understand the definition of Emotional Intelligence.

2.       Recognize the impact of Emotional Intelligence on the work place.

3.       Learn how Emotional Intelligence is measured.

4.       Learn how to improve their Emotional Intelligence.

Suzie DeBusk is president and founder of three companies including her most recent, CxO Value Partners, Inc., an international consulting company focused on sales, marketing, strategy and leadership. She is a risk-taking adventurer, African guide, professional speaker, serial entrepreneur and leadership best practice thought leader.

Whether it’s coaching CEOs and management teams on how to increase their team’s performances or tromping through rain forests, standing down charging elephants, galloping on a horse through the savannahs of Africa or tossing spears with Masai warriors, Suzie brings a unique, proven approach to drive success through real-world techniques. Through her best practices approach, Suzie turns strategies into action steps that everyone can use.

Suzie’s experience ranges from providing executive and leadership coaching to Fortune 50 executives to sharing proven success methodologies to start-up entrepreneurs. Suzie and her team of facilitators integrate practical business examples with the laws of jungle leadership survival.

Suzie is a featured author in the book, The Advantage of Leadership, released in 2007 and is a contributing author to Space Coast Business Magazine. She has been featured in or interviewed by The Orlando Business Journal, The Charleston Regional Business Journal, Executive Traveler Magazine, Rosewood Magazine, Space Coast Living Magazine, Brevard Technical Journal, US Chamber News, Tampa Bay Tribune, Florida Today and The Hometown News, just to name a few.

A noted keynote and workshop speaker, Suzie uses audience engagement techniques and provides thought-provoking introspection. In a world of commodity communication and management models, Suzie imparts unique strategies that drive performance.

11:30 networking with noon program and lunch.

$20 for members, $25 for non-members

Meal choices include Roast Pork Loin with Stuffing and Baked Apples or Roast Turkey and Dressing with the Trimmings

RSVP by Monday, Nov. 16th to tlange@spaceflorida.gov

January 20, 2010

Lynette Leathers presents ‘Customer Service’ at our Professional Development luncheon at the Holiday Inn Viera.

11:30 networking with noon program and lunch.

$20 for members, $25 for non-members

Meal choices include Chicken Piccata or Roast Beef with Bordelaise Sauce, with Duchess Potatoes and Green Beans Almondine

RSVP by Monday, Jan. 18th to tlange@spaceflorida.gov

**Save the date and look for more details to follow!**

We are pleased to announce this year’s incoming Board of Directors of the Space Coast Chapter of FPRA!

• President- Geo A. Ropert, APR, Ropert Communications Group
• President Elect- Katherine Sonn, Century Oaks
• Executive VP/Treasurer- Tina Lange, Space Florida
• Secretary- Kimberly Eye, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
• VP Accreditation- Andrea Farmer, APR, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
• VP Awards/Recognition- Alecia McCoy, United Way of Brevard
• VP Communications- Carey Beam, Craig Technologies
• VP Community Relations- David Waters, United Space Alliance
• VP Membership- Amber Philman, NASA
• VP Resource Development- Michele Murrell, Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
• Historian- Barry Eager, Phantom Films of Florida
• Member-at-Large- Cyndi Hernandez, Brevard Family Partnership
• Immediate Past President- Amelia Woodbridge, McBride Woodbridge Marketing

Members were installed by Past President, Suzanne Sparling, APR, at the Professional Development Program on September 16th.

Amelia Woodbridge, Geo Ropert, Cyndi Hernandez, David Waters, Carey Beam, Suzanne Sparling

Geo Ropert, APR, Tina Lange, APR, Suzanne Sparling, APR

Geo Ropert, APR, Katherine Sonn, Suzanne Sparling, APR

Passing the gavel

A very warm round of thanks goes to Immediate Past President, Amelia Woodbridge, as her leadership in the 2008/9 term earned chapter awards and delivered quality membership benefits.

Thank you Amelia!

Looking ahead, the incoming board is focused on meeting goals in areas such as Community Service, Customer Service, Fundraising, Leadership Development, Professional Development, Senior Member Development, and Accreditation

If you are interested in learning more about Space Coast Chapter leadership opportunities and the benefits of the Florida Public Relations Association, please contact our Membership Chair.