The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association will hold its monthly professional development meeting and a special “Starting Gate” recognition event on Friday, Aug. 19 at the Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., in Ocala. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program takes place from noon to 1 p.m.
The program features the Association’s 2022-2023 president, Jay Morgan-Schleuning, APR, CPRC, who will install the incoming chapter board. He takes the leadership reins from Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC, who is FPRA’s outgoing state president as well as a member of the Ocala Chapter.
In addition, the event will honor the 2022 PACEsetter member of the year and showcase past presidents in attendance during a gavel-passing ceremony.
Morgan-Schleuning, who will also offer insights on leadership, is a principal at Authentic Reputations in Orlando, managing stakeholder relations and strategic communications. He specializes in providing strategic communications, public relations, marketing, branding and reputation counsel to associations and nonprofits.
Prior to his work at Authentic Reputations, Morgan-Schleuning served in a variety of communications roles for ARC of Florida, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Visit Florida and the American Heart Association. He also worked as an on-air TV news anchor and reporter in several media markets, including Orlando.
The cost to attend the “Starting Gate” event, which is open to the public and includes lunch, is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Past presidents are invited to attend at no charge. The reservation deadline is Friday, Aug. 12. Click register, or go to fpraocala.org/event/june-professional-development-meeting/ to learn more and/or register to attend the meeting.
The 2022 PACEsetter of the Year award is sponsored by A&A Campbell Group; Tina Banner, APR, CPRC; Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC; CL Swag; Heather Danenhower Nelson, APR, CPRC; and Carole Savage-Hagans, APR, CPRC.
FPRA was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who enhance the public relations profession in Florida through ethical and standardized practices. FPRA comprises 16 professional and 14 student chapters throughout the state, providing professional development, networking, and professional recognition opportunities.
The FPRA Ocala Chapter was established in 1980. To learn more about FPRA Ocala, visit fpraocala.org.