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.

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.

Hi all…I hope you’ll keep your FPRA membership working for you in 2008/2009! Hear a message from me.

Don’t chance a debacle in an interview – see what happens to Robert

Its membership renewal time for your professional association and I’d like to encourage you to keep FPRA as a priority in your professional life. Here’s why:

1) No where else can you get such economical professional development!
2) The experience, knowledge and support that you gain from felllow FPRA practitioners is invaluable.
3) Invest in yourself! Being a part of this association costs you just $12.50 a month – the cost of 3 trips to Starbucks or just skipping a couple lunches out – pack your lunch instead and give yourself the benefits of maintaining your membership. Investing in yourself really pays you back in so many ways. Plus, you’ll be able to claim your membership on your taxes next year.
4) Activities, Conference, Accreditation & Certification, and more! FPRA gives you a vast array of options to participate in projects and programs that advance your experience (like our new public service program), to an annual professional development conference, to obtaining professional credentials.

To help you get motivated, the state association has announced an “Invest in Yourself” Campaign with fabulous prizes. So take time to Invest in Yourself soon and win big!

If you have questions, or anything you want to discuss, please call me at 837-1000.

Thanks
Amelia Woodbridge
President