I am president of HMA Public Relations, a full-service marketing communications firm based in Phoenix. With the firm since 1993, most recently as vice president/general manager. An award-winning communications professional, my background includes skills in media relations, digital communications/social media strategies, special event management, community relations, issues management and marketing promotions for both the private and public sectors, including such industries as healthcare, financial services, professional services, government affairs and tribal affairs, as well as not-for-profit organizations. I serve as HMA’s primary media and digital communications trainer and have conducted training sessions for a variety of corporate and nonprofit organizations, government agencies and associations. I am the host of Copper State of Mind and PRGN Presents, podcasts for executives and directors of marketing and communications who want to increase the effectiveness of their public relations and marketing campaigns.I am often called upon to present to a wide variety of business and civic organizations on such topics as media relations, social media and digital communications strategies, issues/crisis communications and special events management.I currently serve as the marketing committee co-chair at Congregation Beth Israel, am a member of the Common Sense Media Advisory Council and a member of the board of directors at Valley Youth Theatre.I am a past president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, a member and past board member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy and a past chair of the PRSA Western District. I have received awards from the PRSA, including the national Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA and the Phoenix chapter’s highest honor, the Percy Award, for my commitment to the industry. In addition, I have been honored by the Arizona Festivals and Events Association, International Association of Business Communicators and the City of Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Affairs for my work in media relations, issues management and special event management. I have both a master’s degree in mass communications and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism/public relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. I have been an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University and Phoenix College and was a contributing author to a marketing textbook currently in use at Grand Canyon University.