About IABC/St. Louis Chapter Leadership

For the 2006-2007 term, IABC-St. Louis is governed by a leadership team of five senior communicators: Mike Plotnick, Past President; Dora Smith, Past President; Les Landes, Board Director; Bethanie Rivolta, Board Director; and Cathy Smith, Board Director. These five members work in advisory roles alongside a team IABC Vice Presidents and committee chairs.

President Elect

Jennifer Pruett, Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis

Jennifer Pruett is a marketing and communications manager for the Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis. In her role, she is accountable for the management of the public relations and marketing functions and promoting the visibility of the Girl Scout image both internally and externally. Jennifer began her involvement with IABC-St. Louis as a student member and has since served as a member of the Bronze Quill Awards committee, Bronze Quill Awards Chair, Vice President of Marketing and Treasurer Elect. Prior to joining the Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis, Jennifer served as the Marketing Coordinator for Bond Wolfe Architects Inc. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication science from Truman State University and lives in south St. Louis with her husband Bobby.

Immediate Past President

Erin Conroy, Brown Shoe Company

Erin Conroy is Marketing Communications Manager for Brown Shoe, a $2.3 billion retailer and wholesaler of footwear with worldwide operations. Based in Brown Shoe's New York office, she is responsible for communications strategy for the company's wholesale brands, media relations and events and media training for corporate spokespeople. Erin has 10 years of experience in public relations, including positions with Weber Shandwick Worldwide and St. Louis-based Adamson Inc. She served as President of IABC-St. Louis, where she has been a member since 1997, from July to October 2006, ending her term early to relocate to New York. Her freelance writing credits include STLToday.com and the St. Charles County Business Record. Erin earned her bachelor’s degree in communications (journalism) from Truman State University, where she graduated cum laude, and is currently pursuing her master’s in media communications.

Past President

Karen Loiterstein, Fleishman-Hillard

Karen Loiterstein works at Fleishman-Hillard as an Account Supervisor in the Internal Communications practice. In her role, she works on a variety of projects in the areas of internal branding, HR and benefits communications, intranet and Internet development, and corporate publications. Karen is also responsible for creating, implementing and executing the marketing strategy for Fleishman-Hillard’s Internal Communications practice. Karen's marketing and professional services experience includes working as the Marketing Manager for Towers Perrin's St. Louis, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh offices and as the Director of Marketing for Bond Wolfe Architects Inc. She earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications and English, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kansas. Karen lives in Olivette with her husband Andrew, son Sam and dog Calvin.

Treasurer

Cara Koen, Independent Consultant

Cara Koen has been a member of IABC since 1999 and has served on the St. Louis chapter's board of directors since 2002. She performs freelance project work, including small-business bookkeeping, on a part-time basis and is a full-time mom to her young sons Ethan and Spencer. Previously, Cara worked as an associate with Landes Communications (now Leadership By Design, Inc.). She earned a bachelor’s in communications from Saint Louis University and resides with her family in Florissant.

Treasurer-Elect

Aimee Muldrow, Fleishman-Hillard

Aimee Muldrow joined Fleishman-Hillard’s internal communications practice in January 2006 as an Account Supervisor. Previously, Aimee spent seven years in corporate communications and marketing for Outsourcing Solutions Inc., the nation’s second largest accounts receivable management firm, and its subsidiary Transworld Systems Inc. (TSI). In her most recent role at TSI, Aimee managed all aspects of corporate communications for a national team of sales contractors, the company’s sole marketing channel, including establishing new internal vehicles including corporate newsletters, intranet Web sites, executive communications programs and all-hands meetings. She also developed a series of new initiative and product launch communication programs. Aimee has volunteered in various IABC roles. She also belongs to the Diversity Committee for the St. Louis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Aimee holds bachelor’s degrees in English composition and biology from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo.

Secretary

Annie Hafner, Rosati-Kain High School

Annie Hafner started her career in public relations and marketing as an event planner while pursuing a degree in public relations at Webster University. She took her communications skills with her to internships at Y98 FM, the City of St. Peters, Mo., and Standing Partnership. Along the way, Annie worked in employee communications, business and feature writing, as well as PR campaigns. She is currently the Director of Recruitment for Rosati-Kain High School, an all-female college preparatory school in the St. Louis Archdiocese, where she mainly handles strategic planning, marketing, public relations and special events.

VP-Member Communications

Natasha Webster, Graybar Electric

Natasha Webster is Employee Communications Manager for Graybar Electric. She joined IABC as a student member in 1999 and has served on the board since 2004. She has several years of experience in strategic communications and public affairs from her work as director of communications for a public school district, psychological operations sergeant in the Army Reserves and a public information intern with the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Natasha is currently working on her master’s degree in communications management at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

VP-Marketing Communications

Rhonda Sciarra, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Rhonda Sciarra is a Senior Writer in Employee Communications at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Her background includes working as a reporter for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, as well as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale, Ill. Rhonda received her bachelor's in journalism from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Before Enterprise, Rhonda managed the student newspaper at Webster University, where she completed a master's in media communications and taught undergraduate classes in journalism. Rhonda became an IABC member in 2005, and served on the 2005 Bronze Quill Awards Committee. She is active within Metropolis St. Louis and as a coach with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. She lives in south St. Louis and recently completed the New York marathon.

VP-Professional Development

Jessica Goodhart, Thompson Coburn LLP

Jessica Goodhart is the marketing specialist for the law firm Thompson Coburn LLP. Her responsibilities include special events, internal communications, press releases and coordinating the alumni program. Prior to joining Thompson Coburn, she served in public relations roles in the Rockwood and Parkway School Districts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. This is Jessica's second year serving on the board of directors for IABC-St. Louis. A 2005 Bronze Quill winner, Jessica resides in south St. Louis with her husband Jeff.

VP-Electronic Communications

Heather Rueschhoff, Fleishman-Hillard

Heather Rueschhoff joined Fleishman-Hillard’s internal communications practice in August 2006 as an Account Executive. Currently, she works on-site at AT&T in San Antonio with the benefit communications team where she is primarily responsible for web/interactive communications. Prior to joining Fleishman-Hillard, Heather was an Account Coordinator at Katey Charles Communications. She worked with a variety of clients, including many area school districts, and helped them launch professional e-mail newsletters and kept them educated on the latest trends and best practices in e-mail marketing. She earned her bachelor's degree in mass communications (advertising) from Southeast Missouri State University and is working toward her master's in marketing from Webster University in St. Louis.

Member Communications Chair

Jacquie Vick, The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

Joining The Consortium in April 2006, Jacquie wears two hats. In her dual role as communications manager and editor-in-chief, she is responsible for external communications, media relations and Web content. In these roles, she cultivates relationships with corporate partners, member schools, alumni and students. Additionally, she oversees the content and production of IN Magazine — a private publication of The Consortium. Jacquie holds a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in media communications from Webster University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Louis University.

Marketing Communications Chair

Dierdra Yates, Common Ground Publications

Dierdra Yates is a Senior Account Executive at Common Ground Public Relations, where she plans and executes public relations strategies for her clients. She has a background in journalism and public relations with experience ranging from writing, to event planning and promotion, to media relations and grass roots marketing. Dierdra earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in magazine writing from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism and has obtained her master’s degree in public relations from Webster University. Dierdra joined IABC as a student member in 2004 and returns to the board member for a second consecutive year. She is an alumnus of the 2005 Coro Women in Leadership program and volunteers for several local organizations and foundations.

Professional Development Chair

Rich Jennings, Lindenwood University

Writing company procedures and policies for the Venture Stores (then a division of May Company), Rich Jennings discovered a skill for translating information technology jargon into something store personnel could easily use in performing their daily activities. Rich produced several training manuals for cashier point-of-sale systems and automated price-lookup systems, and was instrumental in preparing and conducting training seminars for cashiers and new department managers. This eventually morphed into managing a Help Desk for the store operations staff. Joining the May Corporate Offices in 1991, Rich led May's problem and change management system When the merger of the May Company into Federated Stores was announced last year, Rich decided to leave IT support and return to his preferred role in communications/writing/training. Rich has enrolled in a master’s degree program in communication curriculum at Lindenwood University and will graduate in late 2006. He joined IABC a year ago.

Bronze Quill Advisor

Mike Plotnick, HOK

Mike Plotnick is Media Relations Manager at HOK, a global architectural design and services firm. In this role, he directs internal and external communications strategies to effectively position the firm's people, projects and expertise worldwide. He previously served IABC-St. Louis as President in 2000-2001, and he also has served the chapter as Director, Vice President of Professional Development, and Bronze Quill Chair. His communications projects have been honored with IABC Gold, Silver and Bronze Quill awards, and have also earned recognition from the Public Relations Society of America, Society for Marketing Professional Services and Women in Communications. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree is journalism from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Member Communications Advisor

Dora Smith, UGS

Director and Marketing Advisor

Cathy Smith, Sisters of Mercy Health System

Cathy Smith is a Communications Consultant with the Sisters of Mercy Health System, supporting several healthcare and technology-related initiatives including the Genesis Project, Mercy's business process and information technology transformation effort. Prior to joining Mercy, she served in communications and project management roles for organizations in the human resource consulting, financial services and utility industries. A past president of IABC/St. Louis and IABC/Heart of Illinois, Cathy received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., and completed additional studies at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif. Cathy lives in University City. She is an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in University City and co-owns (with her husband) an Internet-based collectibles small business to help support their collecting habits.

Director and Professional Development Advisor

Les Landes, Landes & Associates

Les Landes is President of Landes & Associates, a consulting firm that provides services in the areas of planning, marketing and public relations, organizational communications, performance improvement systems, executive coaching, and meeting facilitation. Prior to forming Landes & Associates, Landes was Chief Operating Officer for Leadership By Design, Inc., a leadership development and strategic communications firm. Landes has served in several leadership positions in the communications profession, including 1984 President of the Association for Multi-Image International (St. Louis Chapter); 1986 President of the Corporate Volunteer Council (St. Louis Chapter); 1995 President of the Public Relations Society of America (St. Louis Chapter). He is also a long-standing member of the International Association of Business Communicators. Landes is nationally known for his expertise on the role of communications in quality improvement. His articles, speeches and interviews have appeared in numerous publications, including Communication World, Public Relations Strategist, Executive Speeches, Training, Total Quality Newsletter, Quality Progress, Strategy and Leadership, and more.

Director and Electronic Communications Advisor

Bethanie Rivolta, Armstrong Teasdale

Bethanie Rivolta works in the Marketing Department at the law firm of Armstrong Teasdale LLP. Her responsibilities consist mainly of organizing special events in the St. Louis office and overseeing marketing for the firm’s Kansas City office. Prior to joining Armstrong Teasdale, she was the Publications Coordinator for the MSCPA (Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants). In 1997, Bethanie joined IABC as a student member and has been a volunteer in many capacities ever since. Bethanie received her bachelor’s of arts degree in mass communications as well as her writing certificate from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She resides in Affton with her husband, son and two cats.

Administrator

Beth Quick-Andrews, Q&A Business Solutions

Interested in getting involved? Volunteer with the St. Louis IABC Chapter today!



Site Map | Home | Contact Us | Join IABC

Copyright © 2004 IABC. All rights reserved. Website design by Casey Conroy. Website maintained by Katey Charles Communications, LLC. Contact our Web administrator if you have any problems with this site.