Meet a Member: Sunni Brown

Sunni Brown has only been a member of NFPW for two years, but she is one who immediately jumps in and gets involved. She is active in Virginia Professional Communicators and has worked to promote her affiliate and NFPW. Her boss, Cynthia Price, is always singing her praises for all her efforts. Sunni is a talented professional and a great asset to both organizations. Take time to get to know this unique and unbelievable NFPW member.

Sunni Brown

Name: Sunni Brown

City and State: Richmond, Virginia (originally from West Jefferson, NC)

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Virginia Professional Communicators, Social Media and Website Manager

Years a member of NFPW: 2

Tell us a little about you.

I am a mother, wife and communications professional. I graduated from Emory & Henry College in Southwest Virginia, and almost immediately entered the career world of TV news. I worked at an NBC affiliate in Bristol, VA/TN for almost three years as a producer, assignment editor, videographer and reporter. I then moved to Richmond, Virginia for a job at the NBC affiliate here. I worked at NBC 12 for five years as a reporter and anchor, primarily on the morning show. Due to the grueling schedule of broadcast journalism, I decided to switch things up and pursue a job in media and public relations. I worked at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles as the media spokesperson for three years. Since 2014, I have worked at the University of Richmond as the assistant director of media and public relations. Working closely with the STEM majors out of the School of Arts and Sciences and Richmond School of Law, I pride myself on communicating complex information in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. My efforts have resulted in placements in The New York Times, National Geographic, Voice of America and more.

Personally, my husband Travis and I have been married for nearly 9 years, and we have four children ages 6 and under – three boys – Bonnar (6) and twin boys Sully and Cooper (2) and one girl – Gigi (4).

I recently received my Master of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Any career advice you would give?

Search out opportunities outside of your day to day responsibilities to advance your skills. For example, in my day to day job, I don’t do a ton of web and social media work. It’s a minimal part of my job; however, I know that down the road as I’m looking for career advancement, I know those skills will be important. It’s one of the things I love about being part of VPC. In serving as the web and social media manager, I am gaining invaluable skills. Most recently, I was able to figure out how to run our spring conference registration, including connecting it to PayPal, through our website for free!

Sunni Brown, left, sporting her Spider Proud shirt with Cynthia Price, who introduced her to VPC, and Lindsey Campbell, right.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Singing – hands down! I love to sing, but I can’t. I really wanted to be a country music star.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

San Francisco. It’s my favorite city – and the weather is so nice!

What book are you reading?

I just finished reading “A Man Called Ove.” It was delightful.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I love pulling this one out of my pocket at parties or for icebreaker games at networking events. I’m a virtual seismologist. As part of my graduate program, I took a science seminar on natural disasters, and one of the things we had to do was learn about predicting earthquakes. It was fascinating.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

Being part of VPC and NFPW for only a few years has already allowed me to grow my professional skills, make professional connections and gain new friends. I love that the organizations are so diverse with writers, PR professionals, journalists and more.

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

@SunniBBrown

 

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Meet a Member: Pamela Stallsmith

When planning the 2008 NFPW conference in Idaho, I had a chance to get to know Pamela Stallsmith and Cynthia Price who were organizing the 2007 conference in Virginia. These two planned an awesome conference and we became great friends as a result of our efforts to support NFPW. Pam is an extremely talented communicator and excels in all she does. She leads the POPPS program for NFPW and she has done a great job in making the program even more important to NFPW. She is another outstanding member and I am honored to call her a friend.

Name: Pamela Stallsmith

City and State: Richmond, Va.

Longtime VPC friends Pam Stallsmith (far right), Cynthia Price (left) and Julie Campbell (second from right) with author and filmmaker Adriana Trigiani, an honorary presswoman, at a recent book signing in Kilmarnock, Va.

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Virginia Professional Communicators.

On the national level, I’m the current president of POPPS, Parley of Past Presidents State, and have been an NFPW board member since 2004.

In Virginia, I’m president of the Virginia Press Women Foundation, which raises money and awards scholarships to college students who wish to pursue a career in communications. I’m also a past president of VPC and was co-chair of the 2007 NFPW Conference in Richmond with Cynthia Price.

Years a member of NFPW: 27

Tell us a little about you.

I’ve been in communications for 30 years, the first two-thirds in journalism. I started my newspaper career at the daily newspaper in Lynchburg, Va., covering education, local politics and the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Then I joined the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia’s flagship paper, as a bureau reporter in Clarksville — along the North Carolina border — covering Southside Virginia. The town’s population was about the same as my public high school in suburban Maryland! It was a fabulous experience — I covered a little bit of everything, from tobacco to rural housing to power plants. I eventually moved to Richmond and covered state politics and government, with a specialty in campaign finance. After 22 years as a newspaper reporter, in 2007 I made the transition to corporate communications and joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. In June I landed a new job as the director of communications and external relations for the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. It’s a great fit for me as it combines my knowledge of government and communications. And VCU, the state’s largest public research university in the heart of Richmond, pulsates with energy.

Pam Stallsmith and her husband, Tom Hohing, in Hout Bay, South Africa in September 2015.

My husband, Tom Hohing, and I have two wonderful dogs, Molly and Stanley, who are English Springer Spaniels. We enjoy traveling, art and the outdoors. I’m a voracious reader and other favorite activities include bird watching and gardening.

Any career advice you would give?

Be patient. You don’t have to do everything at once. Never burn bridges. Network — keep in touch with people. You never know when bumping into someone unexpectedly may lead to an opportunity. And keep current professionally.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’d like to be able to play the piano.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West (with all the six-toed cats!)

What book are you reading?

M Train by Patti Smith.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I was involved in community theater when I lived in Clarksville.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

VPC and NFPW have been a constant source of support throughout my career. Besides the tremendous opportunities for professional development, I’ve forged lifelong friendships. And the travel — I’ve been to places I doubt I ever would have visited on my own through conferences and meetings. Presswomen has taken me from the glaciers of Alaska across the plains of Nebraska to the sandy shores of North Carolina. I’ve met so many extraordinary people through this organization, women and men who have taught me so much.

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

I’m on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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: Carol Pierce

Carol Pierce has been one of the keys to our organization’s success for the past 18 years. She knows the ins and outs of our organization and is always willing to do whatever she can to make NFPW better. As she prepares for retirement, we look forward to have this unique and unbelievable member as an active member instead of handling the details behind the scene. I am honored to call her a friend.

Carol Pierce

Name: Carol Pierce

City and State: Falls Church, Virginia

Affiliate and any leadership positions: NFPW Executive Director since 1997

Years a member of NFPW: 18

Tell us a little about you.

I grew up on the plains in Texas and Oklahoma and learned to love big skies and vast horizons while establishing a deep and enduring friendship with my vivacious sister Susan.

My first job teaching language arts to 7th and 8th graders taught me to expect surprises.

My career in association management taught me to treasure people who volunteer their time to build vibrant communities.

Forming American PressWorks, Inc. with Tonda Rush 18 years ago taught me how to create something out of the sheer joy of solving significant problems with talented people.

Working with thousands of federation and association members throughout the U.S. in hundreds of fascinating venues provided me an opportunity to develop an appreciation for diversity.

With my wonderful husband of 48 years, I’m watching our accomplished son and daughter-in-law and their two perfect daughters thrive, and we are confident the future is in competent hands.

I am grateful every day that the reformed tradition I was born into is continually reforming and provides my connection to the life sustaining gift of unconditional acceptance.

When contemplating the probability for the success of any endeavor, I lean on the Queen’s remark in Alice in Wonderland, “Why sometimes I’ve believed as many as 6 impossible things before breakfast” (Lewis Carroll). Me, too!

From left, Gloria Watkins, Carol Pierce and Tonda Rush being honored for their service to NFPW during the 2015 conference in Alaska.

Any career advice you would give?

Surround yourself with people you like and then do work with them that is the most fun you can imagine.

Which talent would you most like to have?  

I would like to be able to draw a recognizable anything.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I would live right here. DC is beautiful and vibrant and filled up with interesting people.

What book are you reading?

I have recently finished Americanah a novel by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It is a good read and a must read. I liked it because it challenged my assumptions in a compelling and convincing way

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve been reading with one of my book groups for 39 years and my other book group for 25 years.

Why is NFPW important to you?

It has been my pleasure to work with remarkably talented NFPW women over the past 18 years. I’m smiling just thinking of the women who have served as president and have taken the time to let me know why NFPW is significant in their lives. These smile makers are Jean, Charlotte, Marj, Gwen, Linn, Vivien, Ella, Donna, Meg, Marsha, Cynthia, Lori and Teri. Bet that list makes you smile, too, as one or more of them likely paused along the way to give you a pat on the back.

I greatly admire those who are loaded with writing talent. One of my favorite parts of each NFPW conference is the final resolution because each is unique, well written, insightful, informative and hilarious.

Ways to contact you.

I would love to be friends on Facebook.

Meet a Member: Gwen Woolf

Where do you begin to describe Gwen Woolf? If you want a task done professionally and right the first time, just ask Gwen to do it. I witnessed the professional and organized way she lead the NFPW communications contest for several years. That was a big job and she made the effort look easy. The past two years she has professionally handled the NFPW High School Communications Contest. I am amazed at her organization skills and how she can professionally handle everything she says she will do. On top of that, she is a great person, a talented writer and fun to be around. She is another unique and unbelievable NFPW member. I am glad I can call her a friend.

 

Gwen Woolf

Name: Gwen Renea Woolf

City and State: Spotsylvania, Va.

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Virginia Press Women president 2008-10. I served on the board for years in a variety of positions, including communications contest director for four years; first and second vice presidents (membership, newsletter); district director; and conference director.  I’ve received the affiliate’s Distinguished Service Award and Communicator of Achievement Award. Thanks to Cynthia Price’s encouragement I’ve gone on to serve as NFPW’s communications contest director and high school contest director.

Years a member of NFPW: 43 years

Tell us a little about you.

Professionally, I’ve loved newspaper work since being co-editor of my high school paper. I was fortunate to be hired at The Free Lance-Star, the daily newspaper in Fredericksburg, Va., right out of high school. I spent my entire 42-year career there—as a reporter, copy editor, wire editor, special section editor and weekly magazine editor. (I was happy and challenged there, so why leave?)  I earned my B.A. degree in American Studies through 12 years of part-time classes at Mary Washington College while working full time.  I’ve received more than 75 state and national journalism awards. Since my retirement in 2010, I’m enjoying a new career of freelance arts and travel writing for such publications as Recreation News, The Virginia Sportsman, Boating Times, Chesapeake Bay, Civil War News, and a couple others.

Personally, I was a Marine brat, living in various states while growing up. I’ve been married for 42 years to Lee Woolf, who was hired at The Free Lance-Star as a sports reporter five years after I started working there.  My maiden name also was Woolf, so I’m actually Gwen Woolf Woolf! We worked together at the paper for decades until our retirements. We have traveled to such places as Africa, Australia, Scandinavia, the British Isles and France, and there are many more places on our bucket list. We chose not to have children, but have doted on our dogs and cats.  Two of my passions are staying in hotels (the bigger, more historic and more luxurious the better, but I’m fascinated by all of them) and animals (I adore all kinds of animals, am a longtime vegetarian, and a member of PETA—I feel strongly against exploiting animals in any way.)

Gwen Woolf

Any career advice you would give? Follow your curiosity. Constantly look for ways to improve your work. Never lose your enthusiasm, determination or sense of humor. Work hard, but take time to enjoy the “little moments” with co-workers, for it will be those memories you cherish the most when you’re retired.

Which talent would you most like to have?  Interior decorator.  I have my own tastes (bright colors, wicker furniture, Oriental decorative items); I like rearranging my furniture (to my husband’s chagrin); and I enjoy home tours and watching HGTV, but it would be difficult to envision how to decorate someone else’s home from scratch.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Los Angeles, Calif. I love the warm weather, the entertainment business and all that Hollywood glamour. I’d love to have a first-hand view of “red carpet” events.

What book are you reading?  “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?”  Enough said.

Gwen Woolf, left, with other NPFW members at the National Atomic Testing Museum this spring following a board meeting.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I’ve been a diehard fan of “General Hospital” since the early 1980s, when the love story of Luke and Laura was big. Tony Geary (Luke) recently retired and left the show, but I’ll continue to tune in, especially for my favorite character, Sonny Corinthos—the handsome mobster with the heart of gold.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you? Great friendships, and a sense of belonging to another “family.” The opportunity to grow professionally through conferences and holding leadership positions; to receive recognition through awards; and to travel to places I might not otherwise have seen. The chance to “give back” to the profession and organizations that have given me so much.

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

Facebook, LinkedIn.  I’m not big on technology, but am gradually “plugging in.”

Meet a Member: Sande Snead

Sande Snead with Roger Mudd

NFPW has so many outstanding members who bring honor and professionalism to the communications field. One of our members who has served as affiliate president, is an outstanding communications professional and shares her talents with others in Sande Snead. She is always willing to help others. She is another unique and unbelievable member of our organization. Meet another outstanding woman I’m honored to call a friend.

Name: Sande Snead

City and State: Richmond, Virginia

Affiliate and any leadership positions: former VPW President, VPW Foundation Board Secretary

Years a member of NFPW: Joined in 1997

Tell us a little about you.

I have 30 years of experience in public relations, marketing and advertising and now enjoying the best work experience of my life as a consultant with Rhudy & Co. I work from home and have all of the interesting and challenging work I could ever want. I’m constantly solving problems. I have two grown girls and live in the city with the love of my life and our yellow lab.

Any career advice you would give?

Never lose touch with good contacts. Collect business cards, get LinkedIn, be friends on Facebook and stay in touch!

Which talent would you most like to have?

What a great question! I am a people pleaser and just wish I could figure out the right thing to do to make everyone happy — my Mom, my kids, my clients, my friends, etc.

Sande Snead interviews former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Richmond in spring and fall, the river in the summer and Florida in winter. And I do!

What book are you reading?

Wilbur Smith’s Assegai but also Donna Highfill’s Real People, Real Change

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I can still walk on my hands!

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

You know, I placed a lot more emphasis and importance on Virginia Professional Communicators and NFPW when I was president of the Virginia affiliate. I think I will get more involved again, but I’ve been focusing a great deal of my “free time” on raising money for blood cancer research for the Leukemia & Lyphoma Society.

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

http://www.sscommunicationsonline.com

https://www.facebook.com/sscommunicationsonline

Twitter: sandes1

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!