Q: You and Jim launched O&G in 1993. How was that experience?
A: It was so exciting. I was only 27. I didn't have kids and really didn't have much to lose. All I could think about were the upsides; the ability to start a business and grow it. The timing was right and the energy and motivation were there. Jim and I had worked together at Hank Meyer Associates and found we gravitated to the same type of clientele. We were both attracted to the creative process and just knew we could join forces to create a great partnership. Thinking back, it was the best decision of my career.

Q: How is public relations changing?
A: While many people still rely on traditional media such as newspapers and television, the focus now also is on consumer-based journalism and social media, with the public creating its own news. In many cases, your neighbor, best friend or spouse is your best source of information. As a PR firm, we've adapted quickly to this trend and are excited about the changing media landscape.

Q: So, has the PR industry been totally transformed?
A: Not necessarily. The tactics may be changing, but the bottom line is still the same. PR is about reaching target audiences, no matter who they are, and communicating messages in a favorable light. That will never change.

Q: Simple question: Why would a business need PR?
A: Perception is reality. It doesn't necessarily matter who has the best product or service, it's who the public perceives has the best product or service. PR cuts through all the clutter to help enhance and alter perceptions. Those who let society drive their business will not fare as well as those who aggressively work to shape their message and get it noticed in the marketplace.

Q: How did you choose PR as a career?
A: I majored in Journalism at the University of Florida and began my career as a newspaper reporter in Boca Raton. I enjoyed the excitement of the newspaper business, but couldn't turn down a management position at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. There, I oversaw many of the resort's internal and external publications before being promoted to the Corporate Communications department. I found that I loved PR and realized I need to gain some agency experience, so I joined O&G in January 2000. The rest, as they say, is history.

Q: Why do you find public relations so intriguing?
A: Working at a PR agency has enabled me to gain a tremendous amount of knowledge in numerous fields, including real estate, travel and tourism, retail, non-profit, government and media. It's also incredibly satisfying to accomplish an important objective on behalf of a client.

Q: Who inspires you?
A: I've had the pleasure recently to work with Darrell Gwynn, the former National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) champion. Darrell was paralyzed and lost his right arm in a horrific 1990 crash. But that hasn't slowed him down one bit. Darrell formed a foundation in 2002 and has dedicated his life to raising money and awareness for the prevention of spinal cord injuries.

Q: What fuels your personal life?
A: My two kids, Tyler and Courtney. They are my biggest cheerleaders and I feed off their energy!

Q: You were previously a radio station news director and UPI bureau chief. How has that experience helped you in PR?
A: My years in radio taught me how to write quickly and use descriptive words, keeping in mind that we were reaching a "blind" audience. Also, being on the other side of the news business, I understand what appeals to journalists and the best ways to reach them.

Q: Looking back on your O&G career, what is your fondest memory?
A: Probably more than anything, I enjoyed working with Miami Children's Hospital Foundation on the Children's Miracle Network telethon. I personally produced a number of the videos, interviewing the children and their families about their heartfelt stories. It was an honor to show their courage and encapsulate all the hospital had done on their behalf.

Q: Why do you enjoy working for a PR agency?
A: Working at O&G is never boring. There's something new every day, and I'm able to use my talents in numerous different venues and avenues. From writing to speaking to media relations, it's a very gratifying and fulfilling career.

Q: What do you enjoy in your spare time?
A: I love discovering new things. Whether it's a patch of green in the middle of a city or a beautiful stained glass window in an old building, you can always look at something from a different angle.

Q: How did you first get involved with social media?
A: I attended a webinar a few years ago and a lightbulb went off in my head. I remember going back to my desk, logging onto Twitter and Facebook and immediately realizing the impact these sites could have on reaching my clients’ audiences.

Q: What changes have you seen in social media these past few years?
A: It’s been amazing to be part of such a growing medium. Not long ago, people looked at social media as an “alternative” way to share thoughts, ideas and messages. Now, social media reaches consumers of all ages and all walks of life. It’s truly become an integral part of almost every public relations program.

Q: You’re a huge sports fan. What’s your most memorable sports experience?
A: Well, besides taking my son to baseball games, it has to be attending the 1994 Orange Bowl game. I was a student at Florida State University and was thrilled to see my ‘Noles come from behind to defeat Nebraska and win our first National Championship.

Q: What led you to a career in PR?
A: The sky is the limit. That may sound like a cliché, but it’s true. The PR industry is continually evolving with fresh ideas and opportunities. One minute I’m perusing a newspaper for the latest real estate news, and the next I’m talking high-fashion on social media. PR is fascinating as there’s always a new trend on which to capitalize for my clients.

Q: How has your previous experience with Bloomingdale’s helped you at O&G?
Each day at Bloomingdale’s was a different experience – meeting new people and learning their needs, goals and work styles. I gained an appreciation for numerous different personalities, which I have found invaluable as I now deal with various clients on a daily basis.

Q: What do you enjoy about living in South Florida?
A: I love knowing that I’m just minutes from the beach. Whether I’m grabbing a bite to eat oceanfront or relaxing in the sand, I spend most of my free time there unwinding from the busy work week.

Q: How has raising four children helped your PR career?
A: My kids have vastly different personalities. Raising them would be much easier if there was a handbook or set formula, but the reality is I've needed to adapt my methods to meet the needs of each child. This flexibility has also helped me in PR. I've learned to be persistent, altering strategies until the goal is accomplished.

Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I'm fairly conservative, but enjoy challenging myself and learning new things. At home, I'm training for my first half-marathon and recently enjoyed zip-lining for the first time. At work, I'm becoming more involved in social media, specifically LinkedIn and Wikipedia.

Q: What do you enjoy most about PR?
A: I love writing, especially creating a play on words that adds a bit of nuance to a press release or pitch. It's also such an exciting rush to see something that I handled in print or on TV.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about PR?
A: Telling stories. As a PR professional, I love the challenge of finding the right opportunity for each of our clients. It’s so rewarding to see them in print, online or on TV and hear people start talking more and more about them.

Q: You’ve previously worked for large companies such as Burger King. What do you enjoy about agency life?
I most enjoy being involved in every aspect of a project from beginning to end. I’m very hands-on and like to have as much of an impact as possible. We have frequent brainstorming sessions at O&G where everyone (from the office manager up to our president) gets together to toss around ideas. You can do those types of things at smaller organizations. I also love knowing all my coworkers on a personal level. At large companies, sometimes you’re just a face; it’s impossible to know everyone.

Q: What was it like growing up in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
A: Growing up in Hershey was the same as in any small town -- with the added benefit that Hershey smells like chocolate and the streets are lined with lights shaped like Hershey’s Kisses (seriously!). People always get a good laugh when I tell them I graduated from Hershey High School. (No, our mascot wasn’t a chocolate bar.) Growing up in a small town really helped shape my personality, but it also made me want to travel and see more than just Central Pennsylvania. That’s what made me decide to move to Miami for college.

Q: How do you measure client satisfaction?
A: First and foremost, I measure it by client tenure, which is an average of five years. That's extraordinarily high in our industry and something in which I take great pride.

Q: To what do you attribute this success?
A: At the outset of our representation, we meet with the client to discuss PR objectives and goals. We then develop an action plan and timeline. It's our role to not only stay on track but also liaise with the client to ensure they're providing the information and support we need to accomplish our objectives. That way, we can be proactive and a client doesn't have to chase after us asking, "what's next?"

Q: How did you get your start in PR?
A: I was producing a professional modern dance company in-residence at Barry College (now Barry University). The performances featured incredible sound, lighting and special effects, but I was always disappointed at the low attendance. So, one day, I called James Roos, The Miami Herald's Dance Critic of many years, and invited him to a show. A few weeks later, he wrote a glowing review that encouraged South Floridians to catch the next performance. Largely based on the power of that story and the buzz it created, the 1,000-seat auditorium was practically sold out for our next performance. I thought, "Wow, there really is something to the power of publicity." Soon after that, I segued into a PR career.

Q: I understand you also were previously a television director. How does that background impact your current career?
A: I know it's cliché to say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it is so often true. I believe my background helps me paint a mental image of what would pique the interest of media. I understand what makes a great picture or video, which is often the deciding factor regarding whether media is dispatched to cover a story.