Meet a New Member!

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Member Spotlight: Jeff Weld, Casella Waste Systems, Rutland VT

Originally from Rutland, VT

Job Title and Organization: Director of Communications, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CWST)

Work History/Background: I started my career melding two passions—communications and sports—as the first Sports Information Director at my alma mater, Castleton University. For 15 years, I held various roles at the University, culminating as VP of Advancement, overseeing all marketing, communications, fundraising, and development efforts. I joined Casella in 2019 and have worked to help shape community outreach and engagement, government affairs, and communications efforts.

Why I joined Yankee Chapter: I joined to help grow my network, stay connected to others with similar experiences, and eventually help to develop and mentor the next generation of public relations professionals.

PRSA positions I have held or am interested in: I have just begun to engage with the organization and am always open to new opportunities.

Most challenging PR situation: Today’s media complexities pose immense challenges, especially in a highly polarized society and when dealing with the vast complexities of environmental compliance.

Bucket List: I have applied for tickets to the Masters in Augusta every year since 2000. Someday.

Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Gardening, Gourmet Cooking. And, Alliteration.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jweld802/

Meet a New Member!

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Name: Laurie Storey-Manseau

Originally From: Born in Portland, Maine, grew up in Syracuse, NY, have lived in NH for the past 40 years.

Currently Live In: Hopkinton, NH

Current PR Title/Organization: Owner/Manager, StoreyManseau, LLC

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriestoreymanseau/

Work History: 

  • 2000 to present: StoreyManseau, LLC, founder/owner/manager
  • 1997 to 2000: Dartmouth-Hitchcock (now Dartmouth Health), director of public affairs and marketing
  • 1990 to 1996: Elliot Hospital and Optima Health, media relations manager, and managing director of marketing
  • 1986 to 1990: Boston Globe, general assignment reporter

 

History of Yankee Chapter/PRSA involvement:

I have served on a panel discussion and have been tangentially involved for many years. Most recently, I asked a few members to critique my public relations class’ group presentations.

 

Most Challenging PR Situation:

Merger of Elliot Hospital and Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, and City of Lebanon’s attempt to tax the property where Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is built.

 

Bucket List Trip/Activity: Hard to say. My life is so busy I rarely take time to think about it.
Hobbies and Interests: Cooking

Yankee PRSA Member Clark Dumont Earns Lifetime Achievement Award

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Clark Dumont, APR, Fellow PRSA, the immediate past president of the PRSA Las Vegas Valley Chapter, was recognized for his leadership to the chapter and dedication to the communications and public relations profession with the chapter’s Lifetime Achievement Award at its 27th annual Pinnacle Awards on January 25 in Las Vegas.

The award, named for Roger Buehrer, APR, Fellow PRSA, a long time Las Vegas public relations professional, cited Clark’s leadership and commitment to the advancement of the profession including the accreditation of practitioners (APR) and his advocacy of ‘strategic communications practice, ethics, lifelong learning and growth’.

Clark has served in senior strategic communications leadership positions with FORTUNE 500 companies in health care, aerospace & defense, and travel & hospitality. He says that he complements his vocation with avocation with non-profit organizations and programs in the health and human services, educational and community service sectors, including the Red Cross.

Clark, a New Hampshire native, started his career as a broadcast journalist in Keene, Rochester and Manchester. He is principal of Dumont Communications and is active with the Yankee PRSA chapter, including past board membership and currently serving on the membership committee. He is Of Counsel to several New Hampshire-based public relations firms, Jackson Jackson and Wagner, and Montagne Powers Communications.

Meet A New Member

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Kelly Untiet

Originally from: Grew up in Franklin, NH. Currently live in Alexandria, NH

Current PR Role: Director of Public Relations, Reaching Higher NH

Work History

Throughout my career, which has spanned government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations, I have remained committed to the idea that innovation, communication, and collaboration are the keys to success. Prior to RHNH, I Served as Director of Development at CATCH Neighborhood Housing, as Community Engagement Manager with the Unite Us in NH coordinated care network, and as the Administrator of the Office of Social and Emotional Wellness within the NH Department of Education assisting in the statewide expansion of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavioral Health and Wellness (MTSS-B), Trauma Responsive School initiatives, and prevention efforts focused on bullying, substance use, and suicide.

I joined PRSA because…

I joined PRSA because I love to learn and grow. As an embedded PR or communications professional, it is easy to remain up-to-date and connected with the latest advancements within our organizations and the sectors they represent. My participation in PRSA is meant to couple that “content-based” exposure with support for and connections to my chosen craft.

Yankee Chapter Involvement

I don’t believe I am “officially” a member of any committees yet, but I am open to it!

Most challenging PR situation I have ever faced

When I served at the NH Department of Education, I was responsible for our strategy in response to the all too frequent school shootings that take place here and around the country. Each incident was terrifying for educators, families, and students alike. Through those experiences, I learned the importance of executing a strategy based not just on what “we” want to say but one that is inclusive of what our audience wants/needs to hear. I learned the importance of listening as a key public relations strategy. And I learned that often, especially in the governmental and non-profit space, humility and relatability are a superpower.

Hobbies/Interests

I love to cook and garden! I will be starting both my vegetable and flower seeds in a few months!

Bucket List/Dream Trip

My dream trip is to hop in an RV with my husband, my two kids, and our dog and travel across the country, stopping at as many national parks as possible.

Stock image - pins and threads in a speech bubble design

American Management Association Courses

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Amazing news from PRSA! They’ve created a unique partnership with American Management Association International (AMA) to offer AMA member pricing for their courses.

A little about AMA: “With over 95+ years of professional development experience, AMA delivers an extensive range of learning solutions that provide essential knowledge and skills for success in management, leadership, communication, and finance. All AMA courses offer continuing education units (CEUs) and related credits from professional associations worldwide to bolster your career.”

For more information about this incredible opportunity, click here and log into your PRSA account.

YPRSA member Laura Simoes

Yankee Chapter Member Laura Simoes Named Executive Director of Loeb School

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Yankee Chapter member Laura Simoes was appointed the Executive Director of the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications. Laura has worked in journalism, public affairs, marketing, and strategic communications.

Nackey S. Loeb was the longtime president and publisher of the Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. She founded the nonpartisan, nonprofit school in Manchester in 1999 with the goal of promoting and defending the First Amendment and fostering interest and excellence in journalism and other forms of communication. She died in 2000.

Yankee Chapter Member Scott Tranchemontagne Named One of State’s Most Influential Business Leader

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Scott Tranchemontagne, President & Partner of Montagne Communications, was named one of the state’s most influential business leaders in the Media/Marketing category by New Hampshire Business Review. Scott founded Montagne Communications in 2007.

The New Hampshire 200 is a product of a year-long research initiative by the editors of NH Business Review Review. The executives named are selected according to extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews and months of research, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide. The New Hampshire 200 was produced by NH Business Review in partnership with the Business & Industry Association.

YPRSA member headshot Lisa Rousseau

Member Profile – Lisa Rousseau

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Welcome to one of our newest members Lisa Rousseau! Lisa is a Community Relations Specialist for Northeast Delta Dental going on fourteen years. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in Communications with a focus in Professional Writing, and a Minor in Social Media Marketing from SNHU this past spring. Lisa manages all of the details surrounding the company’s corporate giving requests designed to generate awareness of the company’s brand, products, and services in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Lisa works closely with the President & CEO, community leaders, sales and account managers, and employees, in addition to developing relationships with non-profit organizations, Chambers of Commerce, community programs, and social services to share the message about the Delta Dental brand.

In her spare time, she works on writing projects for her sister’s business and works part-time as the Marketing Director for Great Brook EMS and Great Brook Academy in Pembroke, New Hampshire on various branding/marketing pursuits. She worked closely with the President to file for nonprofit status, and are currently awaiting nonprofit approval for Great Brook Academy. She is very excited to be a part of the Yankee Chapter PRSA.

PRSA — Advancing the Profession and the Professional

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The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s largest community of public relations and communications professionals. We provide training, set standards of excellence and uphold principles of ethics for the global public relations profession. As a leading voice in the PR industry, we also advocate for greater understanding and adoption of public relations services.

PRSA’s 21,000 members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting in the public relations field. In addition, more than 10,000 college students are members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

If you want to make contacts, be recognized for your work, enhance your professional skills, stay on top of emerging trends and otherwise accelerate your PR career, PRSA is the organization for you.

Call for Speakers: Boston PRSA Social Media Summit

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The 5th annual PRSA Boston Social Media Summit will take place May 12, 2017 at Bentley University. We are looking for speakers who:

  • Inspire others with their expertise and knowledge on cutting edge social and digital media trends
  • Have an interesting case study to share
  • Are willing to share their expertise with others

If this is you – or if you have a recommendation – please reach out to Erin Callanan.