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Member Spotlight - Kathy Lussier
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As an IBM brat, I moved around a bit as a kid. I was born in New York, moved to Pompano Beach, FL, when I was three, then at 10, I moved to Rochester, MN. I went to college for a year in Wisconsin, and then transferred to the University of Texas in Austin where my family had moved. My first job out of college was as a TV news producer at a station in Austin where I had interned. I’ve been fortunate to have held some exciting positions, including working for Texas Governor Ann Richards. I’ve been through mergers and acquisitions, lay-offs and bankruptcies—none were particularly fun, but all were great learning experiences. What influenced you to pursue a career as a professional communicator?
I started out wanting to be a teacher until I saw “Mary Tyler Moore” and got the TV news producer bug. I enjoyed not only listening to others but also drawing them out, probing for more information. My innate curiosity finally had an outlet. My mother instilled a belief in me that I could be anything I wanted and that I had gifts and talents the world needed. She passed away years ago, but I still hear her nudging me forward.
How did you become interested in and then join IABC? In what committees have you been involved?
I had heard of IABC but didn’t get involved until I met Marci Larson at an IABC-PRSA-FPRA joint function several years ago. I realized through her that much of what I did was business communications, and connecting not just locally but internationally was an advantage IABC offered that other groups did not. I led the efforts a few years ago to draft a succession plan for our chapter, served on several committees and ultimately served as president.
If you could suggest one thing to our chapter members, what would you tell them?
Stay connected, because we’re all connected. I find over and over again that everyone knows somebody and the day will come when your most distant connection comes full circle. Pay it forward, as they say. You never know when someone you helped will be able to help you or someone you care about.
As a nod to Labor Day celebrations, what (attribute, accomplishment, event) makes you the most proud of yourself?
The attribute I’m most proud of is commitment—to my husband, my family and my work. Sticking with something isn’t always easy, but it makes you a stronger person and gives you a sense of accomplishment few things do.
Anything you’d like to add or that we may not know about you?
I just started a new job, heading up community relations and marketing for the Jacksonville Public Library. I paid my overdue library book fine right before the interview…whew! I guess I don’t have an excuse anymore not to return books on time! Seriously though, I am honored to be working for such an important city department. As a journalist, free and open access to information is something I value dearly. The public library stands for that and so much more. We are at a critical crossroads in the city's support of this vital resource in the face of tight budgets and competing priorities. It's going to be a challenge, but I am thrilled to have this opportunity!
Past Member Spotlights
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Tom Helm
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Tom Helm, a Jacksonville native, is the director of marketing and business development at Rogers Towers, where he manages the firm’s communication, marketing and public relations strategies. Prior to joining Rogers Towers in 2001, Tom served as district director with the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.|
Justin McCahill
While earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Florida, I began an internship with Convergys Corporation which eventually led to a full-time position. Since then I have spent more than six years with Convergys in various communications capacities, ranging from trade media relations to employee communications and recognition. Today, I support global communications and change management for more than 75,000 employees worldwide. |
Though I was born in Norwalk, Connecticut — and lived briefly in Cincinnati, Ohio — I have called Jacksonville my home for almost my entire life.|
Debbie Jones
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Since arriving in the world in Corpus Christi, Texas, I have had the privilege of living in Virginia, Arkansas and Panama, Canal Zone, before moving to Jacksonville in 1988. After being a full-time mom and home-schooler of our only child, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1997. Upon deciding teaching was not the career for me after all, I worked at a financial planning firm before joining the Jacksonville Aviation Authority in 1999. In an ironic turn of events, I became the training manager at JAA and obtained my Masters in Human Resource Development in 2004 to become better adept at training adults.|
Lynn Mora
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I’ve moved 27 times and attended 13 schools. Besides Florida, I have lived in: New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Mississippi-all before the age of eighteen. Milwaukee is my heart home. |
Jessica Sloan
My first job was working for a public relations agency. It was through my coworkers there that I was first introduced to IABC and I joined the organization in 2008. For the last two years, I have served on the Membership Committee. It was through an IABC event that I met the marketing director for Rogers Towers, P.A. and found out that there was an open position in the law firm’s marketing department. The role was a perfect fit, and I have now been the firm’s marketing coordinator for nearly two years. |
I grew up in Punta Gorda, Fla. and moved to Jacksonville after completing my undergraduate education at the University of Florida. I have bachelor’s degrees in public relations and political science.
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Danny Murphy
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I work in communications for River Region Human Services, a non-profit provider of prevention, intervention and treatment services for substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and mental illness. I take care of media relations, literature and updates for the agency website, and manage the phone systems for more than 200 employees. I'm also a freelance writer and photographer with hundreds of items published. My first communications job was editing policies and procedures at the JEA.