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MEET THE PRCAU FACULTY

We have great surprises in store for you this year. One thing is for sure, each of our speakers are outstanding in their own way. Outstanding professional development sessions about new, engaging topics that will make you scream – thank you sir, may I have another!

Alma Derricks

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Title: Director, Media & Entertainment

Company: Deloitte (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Bio: Alma Derricks is a brand strategist and content producer with expertise creating cross-platform initiatives that enhance the ways companies interact with customers and build value in the digital marketplace. Named a Director in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice at Deloitte Consulting LLP in April 2008, Alma is an architect and leader of the Deloitte Digital Media Framework (DDMF) initiative and has lead content, branding and go-to-market strategy engagements for leading cable, live entertainment, telecommunications, content distribution, video game, and publishing companies.

Drawing on a unique combination of cable, broadcast, print, licensing, advertising, and new media experience, she has developed digital networks for a range of internationally acclaimed media and entertainment franchises including Star Trek, Entertainment Tonight, Dilbert, and Peanuts and held a series of ground-breaking consultative and senior management positions at Paramount, United Media, Scient, the Los Angeles Times, Comcast, and HBO. Her clients have included cable network TV One, video-on-demand network Exercise TV, Simmons Lathan Media Group, HBO and, in collaboration with Landor Associates, TV Guide and Starz Entertainment.

Alma began her career in network and affiliate-based marketing at NBC in both New York and Washington, D.C., and later managed special programming, production, marketing, and strategic planning projects for the Chairman of Home Box Office. After leaving HBO, she established a new media consulting practice and in 1995, on behalf of her first client, developed and launched The Dilbert Zone, which remains one of the Internet’s most popular entertainment destinations. The site’s overwhelming success has spawned a multi-million dollar online advertising and retail business that services customers in 20 countries.

In 1996, Alma was named Vice President of Paramount Digital Entertainment where she oversaw marketing, promotion, and advertising sales for PDE’s multi-million dollar launch of Star Trek: Continuum and Entertainment Tonight Online and was responsible for the creation and management of new online programming partnerships. Beginning in 1998, she served as General Manager of the Los Angeles Times’ $150 million entertainment franchises, Calendar and TV Times, and was responsible for coordinating the efforts of the advertising, editorial, and online departments while serving as the Times’ point-person on the development of new entertainment-based business initiatives. She most recently served as a Director within the Media & Entertainment and Enterprise Business Units of Scient where she served as a strategic advisor to a range of start-up and traditional organizations including Sun Microsystems and the Museum of Modern Art. She was most recently Managing Partner of REV, a Los Angeles-based media and entertainment consultancy that conceives, develops, and produces original content and brand strategies that intuitively bridge the gap between the traditional and digital worlds.

A sought-after speaker, panelist, and moderator, Alma is a regular guest lecturer at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and has spoken nationally on branding, innovation, and the intersection of business, technology and creativity including a keynote address at COMDEX, a White House roundtable on new economy entrepreneurship and panel presentations at the National Association of Television Programming Executives (NATPE) and National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) conferences. She sits on the board of city cable channel LA36 and is a past board member of New York Women In Film and Stanford Student Enterprises.

Alma holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Stanford University and an MBA from Georgetown University where she was both an NBC Fellow and Dean’s Scholar. She is a Southern California native and current resident of Los Angeles.

Session: "Get Our of Your Own Head"

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John Deveney, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA

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Title: President

Company: Deveney Communications (New Orleans, La.)

Bio: John Deveney topped PRWeek’s list of the professions’ four “brightest stars” and “ambassadors that are heroes,” and was selected by PR NEWS as “Agency Executive of the Year” less than a decade after making its first list of “15 To Watch,” public relations leaders worldwide who are shaping the profession. Both an Accredited Business Communicator and Public Relations practitioner (ABC, APR), John has earned the highest national and international accolades in the communication profession.

John has nearly 20 years of public relations experience, and his firm—named one of five Top Boutique PR Firms in the U.S. by PRWeek magazine— specializes in strategic planning, crisis management, media training, community relations, Internet marketing and media relations for a host of nonprofit, public and corporate organizations.

John and his team earned top awards and international recognition as first responders managing the on-the-ground media relations after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. Deveney Communication provided the proactive response to the influx of media that converged on the city by establishing the New Orleans Tourism Communication and Media Center.
John leads campaigns annually garnering between $15 million and $400 million of targeted media coverage and has a solid track record of securing national and international media awareness and support.

John serves on the Public Relations Advisory Council for the University of Florida’s Department of Public Relations. John is a past trustee for the IABC Research Foundation and a past IABC International and Regional Executive Board Member. As IABC’s 1996 Regional Director, he governed professional practitioners in ten states and Puerto Rico. He is past president of the New Orleans IABC chapter and current president of the New Orleans chapters of the PRSA. John was co-chair of the 2003 International PRSA Conference and chair of the 1998 IABC International Conference.

New Orleans news magazine Gambit Weekly named John to “40 Under 40,” a select list of the region’s “finest and most accomplished citizens.” New Orleans CityBusiness included John in their “Power Generation,” an independently selected class of the area's “finest assets and brightest of the rising stars” based on professional and community leadership. He has also been named Agency Executive of the Year in 2006 by PR News.

Under his leadership, Deveney Communication has been recognized by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce as Small Business of the Year in 2002. The Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration also honored the firm locally and regionally as Small Business of the Year. Deveney Communication has been honored among the region’s top 10 “Best Places To Work” by New Orleans CityBusiness for the past three consecutive years.

Deveney is a past national board member for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and was among the 2009 class of inductees to PRSA’s College of Fellows.

Session: Social Media Best Practices: The role of practitioner and social advocate

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Lee Gaither

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Title: President & CEO

Company: BASIL STREET CORP (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Bio: Veteran television executive Lee Gaither has distinguished himself as an expert with a broad skill-set, including content development, programming strategy, infrastructure build, MSO & broadcast distribution, advertiser and sponsor partnerships, and multi-platform integration. Over the past 17 years, Gaither has successfully developed domestic and international programming strategies that span cable, broadcast and online, and capitalize on unique business and production models.

Currently Gaither is President & CEO of BASIL STREET MEDIA, a company he launched to focus on sponsor-integrated production, digital sub-channel launches, and media consulting. Under the Basil Street banner Gaither is currently heading content development for the ION TELEVISION NETWORK and its digital sub-channels. BSM also currently has deals with FOX DIGITAL STUDIOS, MGM, and SIX FLAGS/DICK CLARK PRODS.

Before BSM, beginning in 2006, Gaither headed development and production for Simmons Lathan Media Group in Los Angeles. In this role, Gaither was responsible for all operations for the vertically integrated production house co-owned by HBO, media mogul Russell Simmons and prolific producer and director Stan Lathan. Gaither was brought aboard to expand the company into scripted and reality series, as well as build and launch both digital and syndication distribution units to monetize content.

In 2004, Gaither launched and branded Comcast and Radio One’s TV One lifestyle channel. As EVP/Chief Content Officer, Gaither’s job was to guide and shape the lifestyle-driven digital cable channel. Gaither oversaw branding and positioning of the network and created TV One’s innovative embedded advertising model to entice sponsors and Cable MSO’s around the country.

Before TV One, in 1999, Gaither worked at NBC Entertainment as Senior Vice President, Family Entertainment. In this position, Gaither reported to Scott Sassa on the development, production and programming of NBC’s Saturday-morning TNBC shows, original syndication, late-night, and strategic primetime youth-targeted series designed to shift the network’s aging demos. Gaither also launched NBC’s first merchandising and licensing push for the Kids’ Day-part to capitalize on brands such as “Saved by the Bell,” and orchestrated the historic sale of the Saturday morning block to Discovery Networks.

In 2001, following the launch of the network’s first internet portal, NBCi, Gaither’s title was changed to Senior Vice President, Primetime Programming & Strategy, to reflect his growing responsibilities in primetime, cable and new media. During this time, Gaither also helped launch NBC’s first broadband comedy content site, NBC X. NBC expanded his responsibilities to include West Coast business development, where he played a key role in the acquisition and programming of Telemundo, MUN2, PAX, and Universal Studios.

Before NBC, Gaither was recruited by Gerry Laybourne as Head of Narrative Series at the new Disney Channel in 1997. As the executive in charge of all aspects of scripted-series development and production, Gaither was responsible for the development of primetime programming that attracted older kids and parents. While at Disney, Gaither developed over 60 series, including EVEN STEVENS, BUG JUICE, PROUD FAMILY, SO WEIRD and THE FAMOUS JETT JACKSON.

Earlier in Gaither’s career, he held positions at DIC Entertainment, ABC, FOX Broadcasting, and USA. At DIC he helped launch series for domestic broadcast and international distribution. While at ABC, he was responsible for in-house production and development for ABC Saturday Morning shows such as CLASSIC LOONEY TUNES, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, REAL GHOSTBUSTERS, LAND OF THE LOST, SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK, the first CGI series for television, REBOOT, and the network’s first online site, ABC KIDS ONLINE. Later at FOX Prime Time Comedy, Gaither helped launch KING OF THE HILL and NED & STACEY. Finally, at USA Network he was responsible for the network’s first Kids’ block branded “USA Kid’s Club” and helped manage its younger-skewing prime-time series, which included CLAUDE’S CRIB, LE FEMME NIKITA, and the animated series DUCKMAN.

Gaither graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in television/film studies and currently resides in Los Angeles.

Session: "Get Out Of Your Own Head"

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Michael Gass

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Title: Owner

Company: Michael Gass Consulting (Birmingham, Ala.)

Bio: An Alabama native, Michael studied communications as an undergraduate and went on to earn two master’s degrees.

A decade has passed since Michael made a career change into advertising that would eventually lead him to develop my own new business consultancy for small to midsize ad agencies.

At his first agency, Michael was an account executive. The agency had gone through several persons hired to lead new business. Michael was asked to give it a try. He quickly discovered that he has a natural gift and passion for soliciting new business. Within two months, he led in the acquisition of two significant accounts: Olan Mills Portrait Studios, an industry leader with hundreds of portrait studios throughout the U.S., and Moore-Handley, a $178 million national hardware distributor — the second largest in the country.

Michael soon discovered there was a demand for good new business executives.

Means Advertising, in Birmingham, Alabama, asked Michael to lead their new business efforts. During his first year with the agency, he was able to solicit 51 prospective client meetings, amazingly through cold calls. That year Michael also secured 11 agency pitches, which included a $20 million account.

Lewis Communications, asked Michael to lead new business for the corporate office in Birmingham and their full service offices in Mobile, Alabama and Nashville, Tennessee. Lewis was the agency that launched HGTV and created the Dream Home Giveaway campaign.

Michael was part of the pitch team that landed the MasterCraft Boats account, the most recognized boat brand in the country. Acquired an offer to help launch The Water Channel network and led in the development of a healthcare division at Lewis which now includes eight prestigious and highly profitable academic medical center accounts.

BOHAN recruited Michael to be Vice President of Business Development. During his first year, the new business unit secured 42 prospective client meetings; 17 presentations; 8 pitches and had 5 wins which included the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Fazoli’s Restaurants, Palm Beach County CVB, Eastman Chemical and the Gary Player Group.

After speaking and writing about best new business practices from his own experience and requests from numerous agencies for new business advice, Michael decided to launch my own consultancy. Michael is focused and passionate about one thing – helping smaller to midsize advertising, graphic design and public relation firms be better with their new business efforts to reach the clients they really want.

Session: Social Media from a New Business Perspective

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Jennifer Jenkins, APR

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Title: Vice President Public Relations

Company: Red Square Agency (Mobile, AL)

Bio: Jennifer Graham Jenkins, APR is vice president of public relations with Red Square Agency in Mobile, Ala. She has more than 14 years professional experience in the field of public relations, marketing, advertising, publicity, research and communications planning. Jennifer received her accreditation in public relations (APR) in August 2007.

At Red Square, she oversees all public relations activities and supervises accounts for clients in a variety of fields including healthcare, tourism, communications, technology, finance and business-to-business. Accounts she has worked on include Alabama State Port Authority, BellSouth Mobility, Chapura, Colonial Bank, Cousins Subs, CPSI, Craft Farms, Exxon Mobil, Gulf Coast Cancer Centers, Mercy Medical, Mobile Convention and Visitors Corporation, PrimeHealth, The Town of SaltAire, Springhill Memorial Hospital, Terminix, TORP Technology, Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau, Terrebone General Medical Center, The University of Alabama, University of South Alabama and Verizon Wireless.

Jennifer returned to the agency in July 2006 after five years of managing her own public relations consulting firm, where she developed strategic marketing, corporate positioning and public relations plans; performed media relations activities in various markets throughout the Southeast; organized and coordinated special events; and conceptualized and created promotional materials for healthcare, tourism, communications, technology, finance and business-to-business clients.

Prior to establishing her firm, Jennifer worked from 1997-2001 at Sullivan-St.Clair, now Red Square, as public relations director coordinating all aspects of public relations for clients. She has also worked as the public relations coordinator for the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) in Mobile and the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau. At both organizations, she was responsible for coordinating media relations, news conferences and special events; developing collateral materials, designing and writing newsletters; managing Web sites; creating advertisements for magazines and newspapers; coordinating printing of all promotional materials; serving as spokesperson; and developing relations with media, businesses and industry statewide.

Jennifer is a 1995 summa cum laude graduate of The University of Alabama where she received a bachelor of arts in Communication. She majored in Public Relations and received a minor in marketing. While at the University, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society, and Kappa Tau Alpha Communication Honor Society. She was the recipient of the University of Alabama Alumni Junior College Honors Scholarship and the Alabama Power Foundation Scholarship and maintained standings on the President’s and Dean’s Lists throughout her college career. She received Gold and Silver S.T.A.R. Awards in the 7th District AAF Advertising Competition and an honorable mention in the Southeast Journalism Conference Scholarly Research Competition. Jennifer was awarded The University of Alabama’s Public Relations Academic Award in 1995 for her outstanding performance in the field of public relations.

A member of the Public Relations Council of Alabama since 1996, Jennifer served on the Board of Directors for five years in various capacities, served as president of the Mobile Chapter in 2001 and currently serves on the state board of directors as President for 2010. She also serves on the board of directors for the Southern Public Relations Federation and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America. She has received numerous awards including Best of Show awards from both the Public Relations Council of Alabama and the Southern Public Relations Federations and has received more than 30 Medallion, Lantern and Judges Award from the organizations for her public relations work for Gulf Coast Cancer Centers, Bishop State, Dreamland BBQ, Springhill Memorial Hospital, PrimeHealth, the Mobile Symphony and the Mobile Area Chamber. In 2008, she was selected by the PRCA-Mobile Chapter as their Professional Achievement Award nominee. Jennifer has also been a member of the Bay Area Advertising Federation where she has served on the Board of Directors. In addition, she has volunteered with the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and has been involved on numerous committees including the Media Advisory Task Force and the Annual Meeting Task Force. Jennifer is an active member of the Junior League of Mobile and has volunteered time with the After School Arts Program, Christmas Jubilee, the primary fundraiser to support the league’s community projects for children and the 75th Anniversary Project. She currently serves on the board as Vice President of Planning and Research and is leading the League in implementation of its strategic plan. In 2010, she will serve as President-Elect, and in 2011 will lead JLM, which is the 13th largest Junior League in the world. She was named to the Greater Mobile MS Leadership Class of 2008 in efforts to raise money for education and research for multiple sclerosis. Additionally in 2009 she has served as public relations chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s South Alabama Out of the Darkness Community Walk. She is also on the H.I.P.P.Y. (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) Baldwin County Advisory Council and chairs the organization’s public relations and marketing efforts. H.I.P.P.Y. is an international program empowering parents as the primary educators of preschool children in the home and fostering parental involvement in school and life to maximize the chances of successful early school experiences. In 2009, she was also named by Mobile Bay Magazine as of the Top 40 Under 40.

Jennifer and her husband Jerry have two boys, Graham age 9, and Miles age 7, and just welcomed a new baby girl, Ann Page, into their family on Dec. 1, 2009.

Session: Exit College Life, Enter Agency World

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Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA

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Title: Director, Partnership Development, HGTV/Scripps Networks and 2010 Chair & CEO, PRSA

Company: HGTV (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Bio: As the Director of Partnership Development for HGTV, Gary McCormick is responsible for identifying opportunities for off channel exposure for leading home and lifestyle cable network and its on-air talent – investigating, defining and implementing the partnerships that will increase ratings and awareness with viewers.

Before moving to HGTV, McCormick served as the Director of Public Relations for DIY Network and Fine Living TV Network, where he directed the networks’ media relations and special events, including DIY’s national partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Active in the Public Relations Society of America since 1985, he currently serves as the Chair and CEO of PRSA in 2010 for the 22,000-member professional association.

McCormick also serves on the board of directors for Plank Center for Public Relations Leadership at the University of Alabama and the University of Florida Department of Public Relations Advisory Council; served as the president of the PRSA Foundation in 2006 and 2007, and has been a co-chair of the Champions for PRSSA since 2005. He has been recognized for his contributions to public relations education as the 2006 Honoree of the Educators Academy David Ferguson Award.

Session: “Are You Ready for your Close-Up?" -- The Changing Face and Challenges of Public Relations

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Rick Murray

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Title: President

Company: Edelman Digital US (Chicago, Ill.)

Bio: Rick has been directing Edelman’s global approach to digital communications since 2005.

As Global Chair of the digital practice for Edelman Public Relations, he drives the agenda for intellectual property development, product and service innovation, and acquisitions and strategic partnerships across the firm’s network of 54 offices in 32 countries worldwide. As President of Edelman Digital US, he leads a team of 150 professionals who develop and execute digital initiatives for Edelman’s domestic clients.

His principal areas of expertise include digital strategy, social media, integrated corporate and brand marketing communications, and experiential communications in both traditional and emerging channels. Today, he provides strategic and creative counsel to many of Edelman’s top global accounts including Microsoft, eBay, RIM, HP, Pepsico, Unilever and Abbott Labs.

Before joining Edelman in 2001, he served as executive vice president of Golin/Harris International, and worldwide managing director of its CrossMedia division, an integrated marketing communications business he founded in 1996.

Rick has previous experience leading experiential and sales promotion agencies, serving as chief operating officer for Motivation Media, and president of The Promotion Network. He started his career on the client side of the business, rising to vice president, marketing for Pepsi-Cola’s $1B Canadian business after earlier stints in sales and brand management roles with both Pepsi-Cola International and Ocean Spray Cranberries.

Rick is a frequent speaker and media spokesman on social media, social networks, word of mouth marketing and the dynamics of the conversation economy. He sits on Advisory Boards at Auburn and Georgetown Universities, and has been a guest lecturer to undergrad and graduate-level students at leading academic institutions in the US, Canada and Europe.

An endurance cyclist, aspiring chef and garage-band musician, he and his wife Lea live in Northfield, Illinois with their three daughters. You can find him on facebook as rickatedelman, or on Twitter via @rickmurray.

Session: The Engagement Imperative

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Lynn Sokler

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Title: Acting Chief

Company: Strategic and Proactive Communication Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, Ga.)

Bio: Lynn Sokler is acting chief of the Strategic and Communication Branch, Associate Director for Communication, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She provides leadership to CDC on audience insights, health communication strategy and program implementation, health literacy improvement, risk communication and evaluation of programs. She spent her career translating audience attitudes and behaviors into cohesive communication plans with creative program tactics that get intended results. She has directed health communication on more than 30 chronic and infectious diseases and health risk issues for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC and state health agencies.

Before coming to CDC, Lynn led communication activities as:

• Managing Director of Health Communication, American Institutes for Research
• Regional Vice President, Prospect Associates
• Vice President, Corporate Communication, Magellan Health Services
• Senior Vice President, MS&L Worldwide

Lynn has been named one of the top 50 Health Agency PR Pros In The Nation by PR Week magazine and is the only professional to gain this distinction outside New York and Washington, DC. She has earned an array of 35 national awards including Effie, Addy, Silver Anvil and Health Improvement awards. She began her career as a news reporter before making the “switch” to the other facets of communication.

She is co-author of two books: Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication and a recently published book on personal communication styles entitled Buying Styles: Simple Lessons in Selling the Way Your Customers Buys. Lynn holds two degrees in journalism and advertising from the University of Florida.

Session: Health Communication: Using Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Principles - CDC Lessons from H1N1 Influenza

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Jon Sullivan

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Title: External Communications Manager

Company: Aflac (Columbus, Ga.)

Bio: Jon Sullivan is External Communication Manager with Aflac Incorporated, a Fortune 500 company and the number one provider of guaranteed renewable insurance in the United States and Japan. Sullivan works primarily on the company’s external communication for executives, investor relations, corporate communications, marketing, information technology and government relations.

Prior to joining Aflac, Sullivan directed external and internal communications for a 1,400 employee statewide agency in New York that included more than 40 offices across the state. Mr. Sullivan was the primary communications liaison to media and the Governor’s Press Office regarding workers’ compensation issues during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and its aftermath, which resulted in more than 12,000 unexpected claims, including 2,000 claims for death benefits, which exceeded the typical annual total by 500 percent.

For six years Mr. Sullivan worked as an assignment editor at two network affiliated television stations in Buffalo New York. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Since joining Aflac Sullivan has received several Marketing and PR awards for placements in national publications.

Session: Color Carl's Car: Enhancing Corporate Reputation

Alan Ulman

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Title: Director, Issues and Corporate Communications

Company: Fiserv, Inc. (Brookfield, Wis.)

Bio: As Director – Issues and Corporate Communications for Fiserv, Alan Ulman is responsible for communications related to events that can impact the company’s business or reputation. Fiserv is the leading global provider of information management and electronic commerce systems for the financial services industry. Ranked number one on the FinTech 100 survey of top technology partners to the financial services industry, Fiserv celebrated its 25th year in 2009. For more information about Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV), visit http://www.fiserv.com.

Prior to joining Fiserv he developed award-winning corporate communications programs for Cingular Wireless and Cox Communications, and held corporate communications positions with NCR, Ketchum, National Data Corporation, Hill and Knowlton and Georgia-Pacific. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in public administration.

Session: From P.R. to O.R.

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Emile Vaughn

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Title: President

Company: Davis/Direct (Montgomery, Ala.)

Bio: During his 27 years in printing, Emile has served as a panelist at nation forums and is a former board member of Printing Industry Association of the South (PIAS). Since becoming President of Davis Direct 15 years ago, he has lead company growth from 7 employees to almost 50 today. As an Information Systems graduate of Auburn University Montgomery in 1979, Emile has maintained intense interest in the technological progress within the printing industry. Emile is an avid golfer and he and his wife of 30 years, Willette, reside in Pike Road, AL.

Session: It’s not just ink on paper anymore

John Wild

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Title: President

Company: Auburn/Opelika Tourism Bureau (Auburn, Ala.)

Bio: John Wild is a hospitality and tourism professional with over 30 years experience in the industry. Having served as the general manager for a variety of lodging and resort facilities across the Unites States, he is well versed in all significant aspects of financial, accounting, treasury, risk management, and financial compliance operations. He has been the president of the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau for six years, before which he served as the general manager of the Hotel at Auburn University. As an adjunct professor in Auburn University’s school of hotel and restaurant management, he excels in breaking down complex and detailed financial concepts to a level fit for normal human consumption!

John also serves as the President of the Alabama Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and has been an active member of many industry boards and organizations, including the Alabama Hospitality Association, the Alabama Travel Council, and the Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce.

Session: Budgets 101: How to Speak to Your Boss Intelligently About the Bottom Line

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Vickey Williams

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Title: Independant Consultant

Company: Vickey Williams Consulting

Bio: Vickey Williams is a consultant based in Birmingham and formerly was associate director of the Media Management Center at Northwestern University. There, she conducted research into the future of mass communication. She began her career in newspapers and was a reporter or editor at seven dailies before spending five years as a corporate officer of a large newspaper ownership group. Her career also includes several years in advertising and public relations. For the last decade, her work has centered on helping communications professionals in traditional media and communication roles adapt and thrive in the digital age. She is a journalism graduate of Auburn University. You can reach her at .

Session: Surviving those nasty paper cuts

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