Meet a Member: Cheryl Miller

Cheryl Miller had the honor of representing Kansas as Communicator of Achievement in 2016 when the affiliate hosted the NFPW national conference. It was a great conference to showcase Kansas and some of the key members of the affiliate. She is a 12-year member of Kansas and NFPW. I hope you enjoy getting to know this outstanding member.

Name: Cheryl K. Miller

City and State: Wichita, Kansas

Cheryl Miller, fourth from left, is recognized with other COA candidates at the 2016 conference in Kansas. Photo by Monica Springer.

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Wichita Professional Communicators, Kansas Professional Communicators, National Federation of Press Women. No leadership or committee positions at this time.

Years a member of NFPW: 12 years

Tell us a little about you. 

I do a little of everything as a senior assistant dean for Wichita State University’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I am responsible for general public relations and marketing work for Fairmount College, including the college newsletter, college website, catalogs and fact sheets. I coordinate the college tenure and promotion process, chair evaluations and annual college faculty elections. I am the liaison between faculty governance committees and the dean. I also teach a section of Comm 301, Writing for the Mass Audience, or Comm 502, Public Information Writing, depending on the semester. I also coordinate posthumous degrees, serve as college commencement coordinator, and coordinate major college events such as Constitution Day and the Watkins Visiting Professorship Lecture Series.

I have master of arts in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University. I also have a bachelor of general studies in communication and a bachelor of business administration in personnel administration from Wichita State University.

My interests include birding, hiking and singing. I am the vice president for the Kansas Ornithological Society, a voting member of the Kansas Bird Records Committee and sing in the Wichita Symphony Chorus.

Any career advice you would give?

It is important to have a broad skills base. In addition to having good writing and editing skills, communicators must also be proficient in interviewing, social media, basic graphic design and basic photography.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I’d like a cabin in the woods.

What book are you reading?

Botany of Desire, by Michael Pollan.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I was an extra in “The Parade,” a TV movie starring Maxwell Caulfield and Rosanna Arquette.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I have benefitted greatly from the interpersonal interactions, mentoring, conferences and contests.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

http://www.facebook.com/cheryl.miller.399488

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Meet a Member: Cecilia Green

Some members make a conference more fun and one of those people is Cecilia Green of Illinois. She is a dedicated professional who is always ready to help others succeed. She is a dependable member and an injured foot didn’t even slow her down for the pre-tour and conference in Alaska. She is a unique and unbelievably talented member I am honored to call a friend.

Cecilia Green

Name: Cecilia Green

City and State: Bartlett, Illinois

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Illinois Woman’s Press Association, past president of IWPA. When I lived in Wichita, I served as president of Wichita Press Women, now Wichita Professional Communicators. I was privileged to serve on the NFPW board as public relations chair during Vivian Sadowski’s term as president.

Years a member of NFPW: 31 years

Tell us a little about you

I “rewired” in 2009 from 25 years of doing PR and marketing for nonprofit associations in Chicago to being director of an Arts Center in Bartlett with a gallery and studios for teaching artists and musicians. It is a volunteer position that keeps me very busy at least 4 days a week. I’m also on the Economic Development Commission for the Village of Bartlett and do PR for Bartlett Heritage Days. When I’m not working, my rescue toy fox terrier Tanner and I hang out or I travel to see my  kids.

My husband Darrell’s work at the Art Institute of Chicago takes him around the world and I’ve been fortunate to tag along in the past few year to Scotland, Ireland, India, Norway and Russia.  Jill Miller, my daughter, is an NFPW member, has her own consulting business and the Finishing School for Modern Women in Wichita. Jennifer Miller lives in Treasure Island, Florida and is a professional French horn player. Michael Miller and his wife Carla live in Lakewood, Colorado with my two grandchildren Sophia, 5 and Desmond, 7.

 

NFPW members Cecilia Green, right and daughter, Jill Miller.

Any career advice you would give?

If you are a good writer, the world is open to you; so many opportunities in so just about any field if you know how to communicate. I always told students to  look at associations for professionals and trade associations if they want to be in the nonprofit world. It’s good pay for a fascinating career meeting business people from all over the world.

Which talent would you most like to have? 

I wish I was a better public speaker.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Closer to my family; we’re considering going back to Wichita when my husband retires in 5 years.

What book are you reading?

Just finished “The Girl on the Train” and am starting on Virginia Professional Communicators member Nancy Beasley’s “Little Lion.”

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

That some people think I’m standoffish but I’m really very shy and don’t easily approach people I don’t know well.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

IWPA and its mothership are steadfast in holding to its values and mission. It’s one of the most supportive organizations I belong to. I look forward to its conferences every year.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

Personal Facebook account and Arts in Bartlett Facebook

Meet a Member: Monica Springer

Monica Springer joined Kansas Professional Communicators and NFPW after moving from the newsroom to the marketing department of Servi-Tech in her hometown of Dodge City. She immediately involved herself in the organization through leadership roles, including planning the 2016 NFPW conference in Wichita, and now serves as president of the affiliate. She is an outstanding NFPW member and one of reasons the conference was such a success. I hope you enjoy getting to know her better. 

Monica Springer

Name: Monica Springer

City and State: Dodge City, Kansas

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Kansas Professional Communicators. I’ve been president since April.

Years a member of NFPW: Three I think.

Tell us a little about you.

I work at Servi-Tech in Dodge City. Servi-Tech is an agricultural consulting and laboratory testing company. I’ve worked in the communications department for five years.

I have three of the cutest nieces you’ll ever meet, including almost 3-year-old twins and an almost 1-year old. Being an aunt is the coolest job I’ve ever had. I didn’t know it was possible to love someone that much until they were born.

In my spare time when I’m not killing it as an aunt, I enjoy gardening, canning, and fixing my house that was built in 1900. I also have three Pugs: Penny, Raven and Pickles.

Any career advice you would give?

Be willing to change and be open to new ideas. Don’t be one of those people who always say, “But that’s the way we’ve always done it!” Those people are annoying.

Monica Springer with her darling niece Kaylee, one of the 3-year-old twins.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I want the ability to stop time. That way, if I’m in the middle of a meeting and I want to take a nap, I could just press a button, go home and take a nap.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I have a soft spot for Oklahoma City. I also like the beach. If I could move OKC to a beach where hurricanes don’t happen, and if my family were willing to move with me, and if I won the lottery and I didn’t have to work, that’d be where I want to live.

What book are you reading?

My latest book club book is Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I’m about halfway through. The last book we read was The Girl on the Train. If you’re wondering, the book was way better than the movie. Don’t even waste your money on the movie.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I have different colored eyes. My left eye is blue and my right eye is green.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

If I have a question about something, someone is always willing to help. When I’ve asked for help, no one has ever told me no. Plus, it’s good to have friends in different parts of the state!

Way to follow you on a website, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

My blog: kansasmusings.blogspot.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/monica.springer.73

Twitter: twitter.com/monicaspringer

 

Meet a Member: Wilma Moore-Black

One of the Kansas members ready to welcome NFPW members to Wichita is Wilma Moore-Black. Wilma was national co-membership director while I was NFPW president. She has spent the last year helping with preparations for this year’s national conference in her hometown of Wichita. Meet another unique and unbelievable NFPW member I am honored to call a friend.

Wilma Moore-Black is a hat lady. You will see her in all types of hats, especially a red one and cowboy hats. She purchased this hat in Jerusalem during a 2014 trip to Israel and Jerusalem with church members and friends of LOV Ministries of Dallas.

Name:  Wilma Moore-Black

City and State: Wichita, Kansas

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Kansas

Years a member of NFPW: 10 according to NFPW, but my records for membership while in Norfolk, Virginia from 1973 to 1980 with a byline of Wilma Tillis at The Ledger Star cannot be located. I think it’s more like about 17 years.

Tell us a little about you.

My name is special. You’ll remember when you think of the beautiful, intelligent woman who is married to Fred Flintsone? (Wilma). Why settle for less in life when you can get more? (Moore-my maiden name) and the beautiful color I possess is? (Black-my spouse’s surname). You’ve now met Wilma Moore-Black. I’m unique. I know that I make a difference in this lifetime and with anyone I meet. It’s my job to make sure that you realize, accept and learn to promote the best about yourself after you’ve met me. I’m a trailblazer and a change agent in my own right.

Wilma Moore-Black met Mr. Louis Gossett Jr., before she presented a speech at a luncheon sponsored by the National Association of Black Journalist last year in Minneapolis. Her speech won a national award in this year’s communications contest. Her speech was titled “Mr. Gordon Parks: A Genius Whose Legacy Lives On in Kansas and Worldwide.”

Journalism, photography and mass communications have been three means to connect with people and help make this world better. The media is very powerful. It’s important that people not abuse and misuse it because people can be encouraged, informed, improved, and even hurt by what the media does.  Freezing life’s memories in a snapshot just thrills my heart. I am now loving retirement and sharing time with my grandchildren.

Any career advice you would give?    

~ Try the triple-H threat. Be honest to yourself and others, be happy and stay healthy.

~ Use this formula often: H1B1 – Help one, bring one along the way. Shared with me by my friend Cindy in Phoenix.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Besides playing the flute for eight years, I would love to have had drum and piano lessons.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? 

Wichita, Kansas, my hometown because it is a good place to raise a family.

Wilma is telling Sanata her wish is for a great NFPW conference in her hometown of Wichita. She said the conference is going to be a rocking good time and she looks forward to seeing everyone soon.

What book(s) are you reading?           

“United” by Corey Booker, “The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics,” by John Danforth, “The Butler: A Witness To History,” by Wil Haygood and “365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories” to my grandchildren.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

1. That I was the 1973 Homecoming Queen at Kansas State University.
2. Also, I graduated in three years with my first bachelor’s degree in 1973; I earned a 4.0 GPA while carrying 24 hours.
3. That I have retired from Wichita State University as the associate director of Communication Upward Bound, and I’m working for a non-profit organization Maple Grove Heritage Association as the executive director and marketing coordinator.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

Kansas Professional Communicators –  A statewide effort to promote the highest ethical standards in the communications field. Being involved offers the chance to really see and respect what the state offers by hosting annual conferences throughout the state. You can be as involved and step forward to share, learn and grow through KPC. I have enjoyed serving as a state president and other positions and working to promote the 2016 national conference.

NFPW – networking, traveling and maintaining professional development; presence for diversity as a person of color in the media. This national group offers an excellent opportunity for national recognition and from your peers of one’s work through the communications contest.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.         

Facebook, email, LinkedIn or just call me—at work is fine. 316.682.4821; leave a message if I don’t answer.

 

Meet a Member: Linda Evans

Linda Evans (Photo by Cynthia Price)

Four days on a tour bus on the Alaska pre-conference tour gave me a chance to get better acquainted with members like Linda Evans. She is a 35-year NFPW member and is the 2015 Communicator of Achievement for Virginia. She is fun to be around and is a talented communications professional. Enjoy getting to know this unique and unbelievable member a little better.

Name: Linda Evans,

Hometown: Richmond, Va.,

Affiliate and leadership positions: Virginia Professional Communicators. Former treasurer, district director and state conference chair

Years a member of NFPW: 35 years

Tell us a little about you:

After majoring in journalism at the University of Richmond, I spent a couple of years writing obits and features (and loving it and learning a lot) at my hometown newspaper, The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va. Back then newspapers didn’t have formal internship programs; they usually hired one or two locals to work summers to fill in while reporters took vacations. I tried to get a job throughout high school, but never made it. I continued trying in college, until the editor finally said my persistence impressed him, and he hired me! I worked two summers and then after graduating from college, I was hired full time and spent a couple of years as a reporter.

My husband and I were blessed with a son, and I ultimately made the decision to make a career change into education — first as a publications editor for Fredericksburg City Schools, then into public relations for higher education. I really found my niche working for three great colleges — Mary Washington in Fredericksburg; Randolph-Macon in Ashland, Va.; and University of Richmond, for 13 years until I retired in August 2014. In all, I worked in higher education for 35 years — as long as I’ve been a member of NFPW. My jobs have enabled me to work with some outstanding students and pass along my love of journalism to them.

Any career advice?

No matter what you want to do in life, take a journalism course. It teaches you to write well and concisely; organize your work, meet deadlines and learn to communicate with anyone you will encounter in your career.

What talent would you most like to have?

If I could have a talent it would be to carry a tune! I’d love to sing along with my son, a singer-songwriter who plays guitar, sings and composes music. I don’t know where he got his talent — certainly not from me or his father.

Linda Evans, left, and Donna Geisler at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska for the NFPW pre-conference tour. (Photo by the tour bus driver)

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

When my late husband, Jack, and I were first married, he was stationed with the Air Force in Homestead, Fla., (south of Miami). I’ve always loved Florida since then and have recently discovered the beauty and serenity of the state’s west coast. So I’d like to live near the Gulf of Mexico to enjoy the beautiful sunsets each day.

What book are you reading?

I love mysteries and have recently been reading Charles Todd’s Beth Crawford series, set in England during World War I, and Victoria Thompson’s Sarah Brandt series, set in New York City in the early 1900s. Both series are well written and impart so much history. I also was delighted to meet fellow COA Anne Hillerman at the Alaska conference. I read all of her father’s (Tony Hillerman) books and am delighted that she is continuing his series of mysteries on the Navajo reservation at the Four Corners area of the SW.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most people don’t know that I worked for a nonprofit circus for a time as a booking agent (long story) and that my father discovered the first computer bug (an actual moth in one of those early, walk-through computers in the 1940s)

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I’ve had opportunities to join other professional organizations, and have, but I always loved VPC and NFPW because of the great friendships I have formed with fellow members, the professional development, and the opportunity to travel and explore other parts of my state and country.

Ways to follow you:

I’m on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lindaniemannevans; Twitter @levanspr and on Linked In as Linda Evans.

Meet a Member: Tonda Rush

For the past 17 years, Tonda Rush has worked mostly behind the scenes supporting NFPW through efforts such as the First Amendment Network and financially through matching grants to help NFPW grow. She is one of the organization’s biggest fans. She is part of the American PressWorks team that manages NFPW. Without her support and guidance, NFPW would not be where it is today. She also works tirelessly on behalf of First Amendment issues. Meet this unique and unbelievable NFPW member I am honored to call a friend.

Tonda Rush

Name: Tonda Rush

City and State: Arlington, VA

Affiliate and any leadership positions: NFPW Executive Office since 1998

Years a member of NFPW: 40 next year

Tell us a little about you.

I am an unrecovered journalist. I began my career managing a small weekly newspaper, segued into daily newspaper reporting and then went to law school, with the intention of returning to the newsroom with the sheepskin that said I really did know how to report on the courts and crime. (I had been the cop shop reporter.) But before I got back on that track, I was recruited by Jack Landau to join the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press to head up a project for reporters being kicked out of courtrooms after a bad 1979 Supreme Court decision. I acquired a passion for First Amendment advocacy there that I have used later in my work on the legal staff of American Newspaper Publishers Association and as CEO of the National Newspaper Association. After Carol Pierce and I formed American PressWorks, Inc., and began providing management services to NFPW, I conspired with Marsha Shuler to create the First Amendment Network (FAN) and we have been a thorn in the side of those who would govern in secret for all these years, we fervently hope.

During my law and management careers, I have continued to write, helping clients with newsletters, writing small books on public policy and ghosting speeches for our client Presidents and directors. I think when I retire, I may find some small owner-operated newspaper and go back to covering local government. Reporting was the most fun I ever had.

Any career advice you would give?  

Don’t wait until you are old to lose your aversion to risk. I did not start my own business until I was seeing my first gray hair. Should have done it much earlier.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Tunefulness. I am sure I was meant to be an opera singer, but I must have stood in the wrong line.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Probably the mountains. Washington, DC, is built in a swamp. Unfortunately, it is where my work needs to be.

Tonda Rush, front right, enjoys a meal with NFPW members Betty Packard Voris, front row left; Carol Pierce, back row left; and Shayne del Cohen, back row right.

What book are you reading?

At the moment, I am stuck on Louise Penny books. But I generally prefer historical fiction or readable biographies. Anything by David McCullough fascinates me.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?  

I crochet when I watch TV. It is hard for me to sit still that long otherwise.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?  

I have maintained a membership in the DC affiliate, but my heart belongs in Kansas.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

I am active on Facebook. Befriend me. Lawyers who represent the press in Washington need friends!

Meet a Member: Jill D. Miller

She awards semi-fabulous prizes to winners of different “get acquainted” games at NFPW conferences. As the “director of Fun” she takes her responsibilities seriously and members attending their first NFPW conference have a fun time getting to know other attendees. This redhead is a bundle of energy and makes conferences even more fun. Meet Jill D. Miller, a unique and unbelievable member I am glad to call a friend.

Jill D. Miller

Name: Jill D. Miller

City and State: Wichita, Kansas

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Wichita Professional Communicators – Past President (2012)

Years a member of NFPW: 9 years (joined in 2006)

Tell us a little about you.

Jill D. Miller is a world champion plate spinner. With her independent business development consulting company, Creative Solutions, Jill has helped fledgling entrepreneurs launch out-of-the-ordinary and sometimes quirky new ventures, helped seasoned business owners see new possibilities and has kept freelancers motivated since 1998. As if that wasn’t enough, Jill started teaching entrepreneurship classes at Wichita State University in 2013, which she has found to be an exhilarating adventure of her plate-spinning prowess.

In her spare time, Jill likes to stay busy. She’s past president of Wichita Professional Communicators and is the Director of Fun on the board of the National Federation of Press Women. Deeply involved in the fundraising event, ArtAID, from 1993 to 2012, she helped raise nearly $2 million to help people in Wichita living with HIV and AIDS. Believing strongly in the importance of mom-and-pop businesses and how much they add to the community, Jill founded Cash Mob Wichita in 2012, gathering groups of shoppers to “mob” and spend money at local businesses. A bit of a social butterfly, Jill loves meeting new people and attending local art, music and theater events.

Any career advice you would give?

Jill D. Miller

I’ve grown my business through word of mouth. I think the reason I’ve been a successful consultant is because I work hard to do business with integrity, network constantly to meet new people and grow relationships and belong to great professional organizations, like NFPW and Wichita Professional Communicators that keep me current with what’s happening in the world.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’ve always wished I was better at drawing. I can picture what I’d like to draw, but the ideas just don’t come out on paper.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I really like living in Wichita. If I had to move somewhere else I’d pick a bigger city to live in, like Denver, Chicago or Minneapolis.

What book are you reading?

Just finished “Playing Big,” by Tara Mohr. It’s about how women hold themselves back in business. Fantastic book.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I used to be a radio DJ on a college alternative radio show. That was a lot of fun!

Jill D. Miller

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

The biggest reason my affiliate and NFPW are important to me is the people. I have made many great friends in the organization and feel we are an organization that will do all we can to help each other. I love that I have so many peers that I can ask for advice and support when I need it.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

Facebook: facebook.com/creativesolutions for business; facebook.com/jilldmiller for personal

Website: www.jilldmiller.com

Twitter: @jilldmiller

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jilldmiller