Member Profile: Nadia Vanderhoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is your title and company name?
Public Relations Specialist
Orange County Government’s Communications Division

Give a brief explanation of your job.
I implement public engagement initiatives and external communications on behalf of Orange County Government, an organization with an annual budget of more than $3.3 billion, with 80 divisions and 7,445 employees. I am responsible for the management of Orange County’s online newsroom, the OCFL News App, the development of persuasive public engagement messages, official county photography, news articles, columns, e-newsletters, social media, creative branding ideas, web content and other internal and external outreach materials consistent with Orange County’s brand, values and culture. I encourage you to download the OCFL News app to stay connected and informed with Orange County! (Android | Apple)

How long have you been a part of FPRA? Why did you join?
With a background in business reporting and print journalism, I joined FPRA Orlando in July 2014 to learn more about PR best practices from my fellow colleagues in communications. I work with some of the most seasoned PR veterans in our region, including Ann Marie Varga and Lisa Nason who are actively involved in FPRA Orlando, and they really know and understand public relations and communications inside and out. They have always spoken very highly of the caliber of the organization. Networking and brainstorming with the best of the best of the industry is one of my goals.

What was your favorite FPRA event?
Although I haven’t attended the Orlando Area Chapter Image Awards, it’s certainly one of the most talked about and widely attended ceremonies in our industry. I look forward to attending this fantastic event in the future.

Tell us about an exciting achievement (personal or professional).
Our team just found out that our 2014 State of the County Social Media Ambassadors Campaign made the final round in Ragan’s PR Daily’s Digital Awards 2014. Our campaign is one of seven finalists in the category of Best Community Engagement. The initiative was one of the most successful digital outreach initiatives in Orange County’s history and achieved nearly one million (956,387) total online impressions on Orange County’s official social media pages. Other FPRA members who were part of the campaign include Orange County Communications Manager Ann Marie Varga, APR, Kat Dos Santos and Laura Kern, APR who is one of our Social Media Ambassadors and part of Orange County’s Technology and Social Media Workgroup.

Tell us something people may not know about you.
My father has worked for the United Nations since I was born and I attended a British middle school and high school while overseas. I still say some words with a British accent or use British terminology. For aluminum, I say “alu-min-euum”  and I always pronounce the “h”  in herbs. My husband helped me lose the term “car park” so I always say “parking lot” now.

Contact info:
Orange County Government
201 S. Rosalind Ave. 3rd Floor
Orlando, FL. 32801
Office: 407.836.5464
Mobile: 407.616.7316
E-mail: Nadia.Vanderhoof@ocfl.net

Quotes Corner

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Reflection of My Experience with Quotes

By: Shaloni Prine
VP of Student Outreach

I know it’s cliché, but time really goes by fast. It seems like yesterday that I was a student studying public relations at the University of Central Florida and was a member of Quotes, the PR Club at UCF.  Looking back on that time, Quotes enhanced my student experience. It offered programming that connected me with some of Central Florida’s most skilled public relations professionals and it allowed me to learn industry best practices. The friendships that I formed and the networking that I did were priceless. Most importantly, coupled with my bachelor’s degree, Quotes provided me with the tools necessary to land a job out of college.

One of my best experiences as a Quotes member was the opportunity to attend FPRA’s State Conference in Sarasota in 2008. My classmates and I were each given a chance to take advantage of incredible professional development, and I am confident that the lessons that we learned prepared us to be successful in our careers. Luckily, I have managed to stay in touch with most of these individuals as our paths cross often in the field. Majority of us all work in the PR industry and we are in mid-level positions across the country. We stay connected and help each other when we can. As a result, I have a strong professional network with people that I can rely on and that motivate me to be my best. For me, this is what Quotes is all about.

As the VP of Student Outreach, it is my hope to continue the tradition of providing exceptional member benefits to students. Over the next year, I look forward to working with my fellow VP of Student Outreach, Lindsay Hudock, and the Quotes leadership to find innovative ways to enhance programming, connect students with seasoned PR professionals, expand their network and prepare them for a career in public relations. The best thing about Quotes is that it is an introductory membership to one of Central Florida’s best professional development organizations, and I am excited about sharing this opportunity with the community’s future PR leaders.

2014 Board Installation & Award Recognition

 

 

By: Gabriel Soltren
Orange County Library System

 

 

 

 

 

Immediate Past President Cynthia Lambert, APR addressed members of the Orlando Area Chapter of FPRA at the 2014 Board Installation & Award Recognition event held at Artisan’s Table Restaurant in Downtown Orlando.

 

Cynthia congratulated members for their wonderful job and for becoming the second largest FPRA chapter in membership.She thanked the officers, board of directors and family members for their many hours of dedication. “The unsung heroes are the families. Take time to thank them for their support.”

 

 

Cynthia congratulated Dan Ward, APR, CPRC, for earning the Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) credential and congratulated him for his 20 years at Curley & Pynn.

 

 

The CPRC credential recognizes professional growth and achievement of senior members who have earned the APR designation and have a minimum of 10 years of professional practice in public relations.

 

She also recognized award winners including Nicole Huie, the 2014 Bob Davis Award winner. “She is a faithful supporter. Her work is done while no one is around.”

 

 

The award is presented annually to an individual for his or her “behind the scenes” volunteer efforts that go largely unnoticed by chapter members and are not recognized by other awards programs. The award is named in honor of Bob Davis, Ph.D., ABC, APR, CPRC, a former professor and mentor from the University of Central Florida who gave tirelessly to FPRA and the profession for three decades.

 

Alayna Curry was named as the 2014 FPRA-Orlando Member of the Year. “She plays a vital role in getting communications out to our members,” Cynthia said. “She spoke to our student chapter and found a solution to save us money.”

 

The Member of the Year Award recognizes one member of the Orlando Area Chapter who has made a significant contribution to the Association through outstanding leadership, demonstrated enthusiasm, extraordinary involvement and loyal support.

Special guest Laura Byrnes, APR, Florida Public Relations Association Executive Committee Member, spoke about leadership and encouraged members to learn about the history of the Orlando Area Chapter dating back to the founders of the Orange Blossom Chapter in 1956. Laura inducted the 22 incoming Board of Directors and encouraged them to anticipate, and not wait to be asked to participate. She herself benefited early in her career from holding FPRA leadership positions. “An introvert by nature,” she said, she was forced into being an extrovert by her profession.

 

Laura presided over the induction ceremony for new president Kerry Martin, APR. After thanking her colleagues, Martin shared a few thoughts and encouraged members to participate in events during the upcoming year. “We will strive to meet and exceed your expectations.”

 

For a list of current board members, click here.