President- Graham B. Painter, APR
Executive VP Corporate Communications, Sterling Bank

2550 N Loop West * Houston, TX 77092
(713) 507-2770 Fax: (713) 334-1110
graham.painter@banksterling.com

Graham Painter has been working in public relations for 35 years. A graduate of the University of Houston, he joined Houston Lighting & Power Company in 1973, where he held a wide range of public relations positions. He also worked on legislative advocacy initiatives in Austin and Washington, D.C., and on international public relations related to the company's interests in Europe and Latin America. In the 1990's, he was named vice president of public affairs at CenterPoint Energy, HL&P's successor. In 2002, he joined Sterling Bank and its parent, Sterling Bancshares, Inc., where he serves as executive vice president of corporate communications.

He was named Outstanding PR Practitioner by TPRA in 2006 and received the Legacy Award from PRSA's Houston Chapter that same year. A senior fellow in the American Leadership Forum and a graduate of the Center for Houston's Future, he served on the Advertising Review Committee of the State Bar of Texas from 2004 through 2007.

Graham has held a number of executive positions in professional and trade associations, including president of TPRA, president of the Houston Chapter of PRSA, and chairman of the communications committee of the Edison Electric Institute. He previously served as president of the Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry, the Travelers' Aid Society of Texas, and as a member of the board of the Press Club Foundation of Houston, the Salvation Army, and the Gulf Coast March of Dimes.

If you have some thoughts about future plans, questions about TPRA or a complaint to share, contact Graham and he will visit with you directly.

President-Elect - Scott White
President, BizCom Associates

15851 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1020 * Addison, TX 75001
(972) 490-0903 Fax: (972) 661-0261
scottwhite@bizcompr.com

Scott is a founder of Biz Com Associates, a 15-year-old Dallas agency that specialties in working with franchise companies, entrepreneurs and other creative business leaders. He has more than 25 years experience in public relations, advertising, and journalism. A graduate of North Texas State University, he has worked in the newspaper, magazine, book publishing and TV fields. He has won dozens of awards working as editor, producer and writer for a variety of newspapers, magazines and production companies. He has helped young, start-up companies develop communications programs to support their growth strategies and he has helped mature, multinationals develop strategies to reach new markets or expand their share of existing markets. He frequently speaks on corporate communications, local store marketing and crisis communications.

To nominate someone for the TPRA Special Awards or if you are interested in Membership Recruitment, contact Scott.

Secretary - Melanie Villalobos
Chief of Staff, San Antonio Housing Authority

818 South Flores * San Antonio, TX 78204
(210) 477-6130 Fax: (210) 477-6127
Melanie_villalobos@saha.org

Melanie Villalobos serves as the Chief of Staff of the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), serving as principle liaison between the President/CEO and SAHA's nearly 700 staff members, with the responsibility for administering and supervising the day-to-day operations of the agency. Prior to her present position, she served as Vice President of the agency's Corporate Relations department, where she served as spokesperson for one of the nation's largest public housing authorities, and was responsible for SAHA's strategic communications, public relations, community relations, governmental relations and public affairs activities. Prior to joining SAHA in 2003, Melanie was a principal of San Antonio-based Curnutt/Hovis Public Relations, in which she provided consulting services to clients in the fields of health care, technology, manufacturing, government, homebuilding, and others. She has been a member of TPRA for most of her public relations career, which has spanned more than two decades. A graduate of Trinity University, Melanie is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Association of Women in Communications (AWC), and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, (NAHRO).

Melanie oversees our Communications Committee, Job Bank, Speakers Bureau and any special projects that come up during the year. Feel free to contact her with your new ideas!

Treasurer - Larry Meltzer
Founding Partner & Chief Imagination Officer, Blue Current Public Relations

1999 Bryan St. #3400 * Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 303-6000 Fax:(214) 953-3944
larry.meltzer@bluecurrentpr.com

Larry Meltzer is a founding partner & Chief Imagination Officer BlueCurrent Public Relations a Fleishman-Hillard agency. In this role, he directs the agency's creative product and serves as a knowledge resource for brand-building and media trends. Prior to launching the BlueCurrent brand in 2004, he was a senior partner in the Dallas office of Fleishman-Hillard, working during a five-year period with agency clients that included SBC Communications, Dell Computer Corporation, Prodigy Internet, Blockbuster Entertainment, and Omni Hotels. Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, Larry was principal of Meltzer & Martin Public Relations, providing public relations counsel and services on a national level for many well-known companies. His previous experience includes positions with Tracy-Locke Public Relations, Burson-Marsteller, and Bozell & Jacobs. Larry has served as a judge for TPRA's Silver Spur/Best of Texas program, and most recently was Finance Chair for the 2005 annual conference.

Larry oversees the association's budget and finances.

Past President - Larry Springer, APR
Manager, Public Affairs, Enbridge Energy Company

1100 Louisiana, Ste 3300 * Houston, TX 77002
(713) 821-2253 Fax: (713) 821-2230
larry.springer@enbridge.com

Larry D. Springer, APR, is Manager, Public Affairs, for Enbridge Energy Company in Houston. Larry, who grew up in Amarillo and Austin, is a University of Texas journalism graduate. He worked almost 10 years as a reporter and editor for news media in Austin before beginning his career as a public relations professional. He has worked as a spokesperson for the Texas governor's emergency management office, communications director for a statewide oil and gas association, and in various public relations manager and director positions for Conoco Inc. and the DuPont Company. A member of Texas Public Relations Association since 1986, Larry has twice served on the organization's board of directors. He chaired the TPRA Winter Conference in 1988. Larry served as president of the Austin Chapter of PRSA in 1988, was a co-founder of the Montana Chapter of PRSA in 1997 and was an assembly delegate for the Houston Chapter of PRSA, 2003-2005.

If you have some thoughts about future plans, questions about TPRA or a complaint to share, contact Larry and he will visit with you directly.

PRFT Trustee - Julie B. Fix, APR
Assistant Professor, School of Communication, University of Houston

3102 Royal Lytham Court * Sugar Land, TX 77479-2468
(281) 494-6097 Fax: (281) 494-6098
jbfix@att.net

Julie is an assistant professor in the School of Communication at the University of Houston, teaching public relations courses. She also serves as internship coordinator and director of undergraduate studies. She is president and principal of Fix & Associates, Inc. Public Relations, providing consulting, planning and training in the areas of community relations, issues management, crisis management, marketing communications, special events and political campaigns.

A past president of TPRA and current chairman of the association's Public Relations Foundation of Texas, Fix received TPRA's 2006 Golden Spur Award, the organization's top honor for contributions to the association and the profession. A member of PRSA since 1991, she was accredited in February 1996.  She currently serves the Houston Chapter as a director and treasurer, and serves on the board of the Public Relations Foundation of Houston.

Michael Cooper, APR
Director, North American Public Strategy Group, Alcoa

1000 Heritage Center Circle * Round Rock, TX 78664-4463
(512) 238-3049 Fax: (512) 238-3050
mike.cooper@alcoa.com

After graduation from the University of Texas at Austin, Mike Cooper worked as Special Assistant to Governors Preston Smith and Dolph Briscoe. He joined Alcoa serving as Plant Public Relations Manager in East Texas, and later Point Comfort Operations, transferring to Massena, NY as State Public Affairs Manager for 16 years. Mike worked out of corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh as Vice President of Public Relations for Alcoa Engineered Products business unit, relocating to Texas in 2002 as part of newly created North American Public Strategy Group. He is a past president of PRSSA Alan Scott Chapter, PRSA Austin Chapter and TPRA, and a past PRSA national board member. Mike was a TPRA scholarship recipient at the University of Texas and helped to create the Alan Scott Chapter of PRSSA.

Michele Glaze, APR
Dell, Inc.

1809 Connors Cove * Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 260-8478
michele_glaze@dell.com

This isn't Michele Glaze's first time around with TPRA. She has previously served on the board, chaired or volunteered for every Austin Conference for the past ten years and has judged, won and helped to coordinate the Silver Spur and Best of Texas awards program. Michele currently serves as the communications manager for Dell's Services division. She manages the external and internal communication and training activities to ensure they resonate with sales, executives, delivery teams and cross-functional product groups.  Michele has worked in various communications roles at Dell. She has served as the communications and marketing manager for Public's Education and Community Initiatives and helped promote the Dell TechKnow program, worked in Public Affairs and handled the 15-city Dell Recycling Tour, managed the Dell Foundation and was instrumental in driving employee involvement through Direct Giving and One Dell: One Community and worked in employee communications managing the original launch of the Customer Experience. Prior work experience includes serving as the public relations manager for RenewData, managing employee communications at Motorola and coordinating marketing communications for Intermedics Orthopedics, St. David's and Lutheran Hospital.

Christina J. Moore, APR
Principal, Certain Solution

6632 Ruxton Lane * Austin, TX 78749
(512) 626-6060
christinajmoore@certainsolutionusa.com

Christina J. Moore has an extensive background in strategic internal communication and leadership. Recently retired after a lengthy career with Freescale Semiconductor, Christina now serves as a leadership and communication consultant and adjunct professor in leadership and communication. At Freescale, she directed global employee communication for 22,000 employees in 30 countries. In 2004, she led Freescale's internal communication activities for one of the biggest technology IPOs the market saw that year. Christina has an international background, having spent several years abroad. She is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America and attained a master's degree in organizational leadership and ethics at St. Edward's University. Her undergraduate degree also is from St. Edward's University: a BBA in marketing with a double major in theatre arts. She is the past chair of PRSA's Employee Communications section and served several years as ethics officer in Austin, Texas. As a former board member of TPRA, she often facilitated strategic planning and professional development opportunities. Christina has served on numerous TPRA conference committees, chaired professional development seminars and been awarded Best of Texas and Silver Spurs. In 2005, she received that organization's prestigious Golden Spur Award.

Keith Schmidt
Senior Communications Coordinator, Newfield Exploration

363 N Sam Houston Pkwy E #2020 * Houston, TX 77060
(281) 668-2650
kschmidt@newfield.com

A TPRA member since 1989, Keith R. Schmidt has previously served on the board of directors, chaired the University Relations Committee and worked on several TPRA conference planning committees including the upcoming Houston 2007 conference. He received the Alan Scott Rising Star Award at the 2006 TPRA annual conference for his leadership in public relations and contribution to the organization. A multiple Silver Spur and Best of Texas winner, he currently is senior communications coordinator at Newfield Exploration Company in Houston, Texas. In this position, he implemented a new employee communications program, works with the media and formalized crisis communications training at the company. He also developed a community outreach program for company expansion of operations in the Mid-Continent. He is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. He has a B.A. in Political Science/Business Administration from Monmouth College, Illinois, and a M.A. in Journalism from the University of Missouri.

Nelda Skevington
Owner, Carrizales Skevington Public Relations, Inc.

440 Hidden Springs* Springs Branch, TX 78070
(830) 885-7181 Fax: (830) 885-7182
neldacs@neldapr.com

Nelda Carrizales Skevington is president and owner of Carrizales Skevington Public Relations, Inc., a marketing communications and public relations consultant company. With more than 10 years in public relations and marketing, Nelda's experience includes implementing programs on a local, regional, statewide and national basis for medium and small businesses to major Fortune 500 companies. Nelda is the recipient of multiple Silver Spur Awards TPRA, several honorable mentions from PRWeek, Certificate of Excellence from CIPRA, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Award and a Silver Anvil Award PRSA. Nelda also served as TPRA 50th Anniversary Conference Awards Chair and has been a member of TPRA since 1996. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Nelda is an active member of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hill Country Chamber of Commerce, Bulverde/Spring Branch Area Chamber of Commerce, Texas Public Relations Association, Accessibility Fest Task Force, The National Society of Hispanic Professionals and The San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists. Nelda holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Communications from Webster University, St. Louis, MO.

2008-2009 Directors

Beth Ann Black
Sr. Media Relations Specialist, B.A. Black Public Relations, LLC

147 Kingston Cr. * Coppell,. TX 75019
(972) 745-7638 Fax: (972) 304-2075
bethann@bablackpr.com

Owns B.A.Black Public Relations, LLC, a boutique public relations firm that provides public relations services, including media relations, crisis preparedness/response, external/internal corporate collateral/ communications and community relations that deals with issue/risk management. Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the firm develops and implements plans for clients to achieve visibility and awareness that support long-term growth, profitability and positioning. Black publishes the FINDERBINDER® DFW Media Directory, a comprehensive guide to print and broadcast media in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. This publication offers listings that include contact information for media, statistics, ad rates and production data. As a senior public relations consultant, Black maintains extensive media relationships. Her background includes working with PR agencies (Victory Marketing & Communications and Edelman Worldwide), in corporate America (Mobil), with nonprofit agencies (Easter Seals and United Way) and for various media including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, El Paso Herald-Post and Young Presidents' Organization's Worldwide magazine. Black earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin, is married and has three grown, graduated-from-college and gainfully-employed daughters. She is "retiring" from four years as treasurer for PRSA Dallas Chapter and is an elder at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, leading the Stewardship campaign.

Sheri Davidson Smith
President, Publicis PR

14185 N Dallas Pkwy * Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 628-7766 Fax: (972) 628-7750
sheri.smith@publicis-pr.com

President of Publicis PR, part of the fourth largest communications agency in the world. She specializes in lifestyle marketing PR, with an emphasis on word of mouth and marketing to females. Sheri is an award-winning communications professional with nearly 20 years of agency experience building brands through integrated communications initiatives, particularly brand advocate opportunities. She co-chaired the 2005 Texas Public Relations Association's (TPRA) Silver Spur & Best of Texas Awards ceremony and banquet "Herculean Achievements" and has served as a judge for the annual competition. Sheri is the 2007 Dallas Ad League Eagle Awards recipient for "Best PR Practitioner." In addition to TPRA, she is a member of PRSA and represents Publicis' Dallas office with Council of Public Relations Firms, WOMMA and Dallas Ad League.

Steven Eames
Vice President Corporate Communications, CVR Energy

2277 Plaza Drive Suite 500 * Sugar Land, TX 77479
(281) 207-3550 Fax: (281) 207-3551
smeames@cvrenergy.com

Chris Talley
Senior Vice President & Senior Partner, Fleishman-Hillard

130 E. Travis, Suite 575 * San Antonio, Texas 78205-1627
(210) 352-6966 Fax:(210) 354-2661
chris.talley@fleishman.com

Planned, managed, and executed numerous multi-state, multi-office corporate issues and communications programs. A senior partner and senior vice president in Fleishman-Hillard's San Antonio office, Chris has an extensive network throughout Texas that spans media, community, and business leaders. He currently supports ConocoPhillips, the Boy Scouts of America, and The Regus Group and serves as the administrative lead for the San Antonio office. Through the years Chris has served as an FH "on-site" team leader at USAA and SBC Communications (now AT&T) and he has managed FH offices in Austin and Houston. He joined FH in 1995 from Houston's Churchill Group Inc. Prior to that, he spent five years in the public affairs department of Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver. Chris holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Baylor University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Colorado campus of the University of Phoenix. He serves on the executive board of the Alamo Area Council for Boy Scouts (San Antonio), the board of KRLN-PBS TV (San Antonio). For more than 20 years, Chris and his wife, Laura, have served on the media relations team for the AT&T Cotton Bowl. They also have volunteered in media relations capacities for numerous sporting events, including the NCAA men's and women's basketball championships. Chris and Laura have three children, Michael (13), Megan (10), and Caroline (8).

Nan Powers Varoga
PR Consultant, Varoga & Associates

1613 Marshall * Houston, TX 77006
(281) 236-1973
nvaroga@yahoo.com

Co-founder of Varoga & Associates, which provides public affairs assistance and campaign services to a select group of public, private and non-profit organizations. She is the former Director of Public Affairs for The Houston A+ Challenge, where she directed all internal and external communications, media relations, technology, government relations and fundraising. She is a Houston native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism degree. She is a co-founder of The Friends of the Times-Picayune Relief Fund, chairs the Communications Committee for the Texas Public Relations Association and served on the TPRA Board of Directors. Nan previously served as Director of Communications with the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the March of Dimes. As a newspaper reporter for 15 years, Nan covered the Senate, House and the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.; economics and personal finance for the New Orleans Times-Picayune; and wrote for the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

John Worthington
Senior VP Corporate Communications, Security Service Federal Credit Union

PO BOX 691510 * San Antonio, TX 78629-2520
(210) 476-4489 Fax: (210) 476-4469
jworthington@ssfcu.org

John Worthington is Security Service Federal Credit Union's Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. As spokesperson for the nation's 10th largest credit union, he communicates with external agencies and works with local, regional, national news media representatives and trade press. He directs the credit union's legislative affairs programs and interacts with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels, and he oversees the activities of the credit union's political action committee. Additionally, he is responsible for Security Service's extensive community relations program, corporate philanthropy activities and maintains liaison with federal regulatory agencies and credit union trade associations.

John also completed a 26-year career as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel where he held key public affairs positions with the Air Force and the Department of Defense including the Pentagon where he served in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Worthington is involved in numerous civic and community organizations and activities and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and on the Boards of Directors for the Texas Public Relations Association, the Texas Credit Union Legislative Coalition, the Bexar County Arts and Cultural Fund and on the University of Texas, San Antonio, Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Council. He also serves the Greater San Antoino Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs and Legislative Affairs Steering Committee. In 2003, he was awarded the Public Relations Society of America, San Antonio Chapter's "Del Oro Community Service Award" for time and public relations talents given in service to the community. He and his wife, Jackie, have two grown daughters, Julie and Jennifer.

2008 Conference Co-Chairs

Anamarie Suescun-Fast
Guerra DeBerry Coody
asuescun@gdc-co.com

Gavino Ramos
San Antonio Housing Authority
gavino_ramos@saha.org