Take 5: Bill Bussler

Bill BusslerChapter position: Vice president
Current position: Vice president, integrated marketing, STIR – Advertising & Integrated Messaging

What do you find most beneficial about our chapter? The opportunities available to meet other Milwaukee-based PR practitioners. Of course, in addition to attending our chapter’s monthly luncheons, I highly recommend getting involved in one of our committees. That’s really the best way to interact with other members.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve had to do for work? Early in my career, I was the “talent” inside several oversized mascot costumes. While this sounds like fun, it can actually be quite grueling work, especially on hot summer days. I probably dropped several pounds during each shift.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Southeastern Wisconsin? I’m a huge fan of Cousins Subs. I think their Italian Special is the best sandwich in town. But, for something a little more fancy, I often suggest Carnevor or Harbor House.

What’s your favorite part about living and working in Southeastern Wisconsin? The people. There’s a wonderful combination of work ethic and approachability here in Milwaukee that’s hard to find in other markets.

What’s the best vacation you’ve taken? My honeymoon in Costa Rica. The rainforests are amazing and offer such a unique array of plants and animals. Plus, the fishing there is great.

Take 5 is a recurring set of questions designed to get to know our chapter’s board members.

Take 5: Sarah Doran

Sarah Doran

Chapter position: Paragon Awards co-chair
Current position: Content specialist, Bader Rutter

What’s the craziest thing you’ve had to do for work? “Shovel” out a snowed in and iced over door with a small car ice scraper at 5 a.m. in early February, stand outside for 4 hours helping girls sell cookies and then give TV news interviews while very cold and wet.

What social media outlets do you use? LinkedIn for business, Facebook for personal and Twitter for a little mix of both

What do you like to do outside of work? I ride horses at a barn in Richfield. I have learned both jumping and polo in the past two years!

What’s your favorite part about living and working in Southeastern Wisconsin? I love the variety here – of things to do, of industries that are present, of city and country – and the people!

What’s your favorite restaurant in Southeastern Wisconsin? Parkside 23 is one of my favorites.

Take 5 is a recurring set of questions designed to get to know our chapter’s board members.

Take 5: Carol Weber, APR

Take 5: Carol Weber, APR

Chapter position: Director at large
Current position: Director of communications and marketing at Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA)

What do you find most beneficial about our chapter? I appreciate the opportunity to build my network by getting to know other area PR professionals of all ages and levels of experience. I also enjoy the monthly programs — great “shot in the arm” continuing education.

What do you like best about being a professional communicator? I’m one of those lucky people who has known what she’s wanted to do since sixth grade when I wrote for the only elementary school “newspaper” in the Milwaukee Public School district — I covered the office “beat.” Worked on school papers in junior and senior high and college. Summer college work study job was with the U. S. Forest Service’s Office of Public Information or the other side of the news story. I love being able to provide people — internal and external audiences — with important and beneficial information. Plus, how many other professions do you know pay you to stick your nose in other people’s business (in a respectful way, of course)?

What social media outlets do you use? I am personally on LinkedIn (established Facebook and Twitter profiles so I could be a backup administrator for WDA sites). The WDA is active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, Pinterest and most recently established a presence on Instagram.

 What do you like to do outside of work? My hobby is volunteering. For many years when my children were small, it was in the schools and with scouts. Now, my focus is on volunteering with the Southeastern Wisconsin PRSA Chapter (a past president, I’m a director at large on the board, board liaison to the Young Pros and a mentor in the YP mentor program). I also volunteer my time and talents to my church (Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church), including publicity, strategic planning, ringing hand bells, baking muffins monthly for the St. James breakfast program in downtown Milwaukee and co-leading our three-times-a-year “Souper Sundays.”

What’s your favorite part about living and working in Southeastern Wisconsin? Believe it or not, I like the weather, because I like having four seasons. We also seem to be spared many of the major weather events pummeling other parts of the country. As a Wauwatosa resident, I’ve got the best of both worlds — small town amenities (e.g., good public schools and library, walkable community with a historic village area, unique local shopping/eateries) and big city benefits (e.g., career options, an easy drive a to wide variety of cultural and entertainment attractions, larger shopping options and world-class health care at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin to name just two).

Take 5 is a recurring set of questions designed to get to know our chapter’s board members.

Take 5: Samantha Andrews, MBA, APR

Samantha Andrews

Chapter position: President
Current position: Public relations associate at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

What do you like best about being a professional communicator? The ability to use writing and speaking skills to tell stories.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve had to do for work? I arranged a wedding at the Packers Experience (NFL inflatable games) when I worked for an entertainment management company in Green Bay.

Who do you suggest your fellow chapter members follow on Twitter? #prsawis, of course!

What’s your favorite restaurant in Southeastern Wisconsin? I love so many, but I’m partial to Balistreri’s on Bluemound or Le Rêve Patisserie and Café.

What’s the best vacation you’ve taken? Seeing my favorite band with my friends at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and driving up to Pike’s Peak in Colorado.

To learn more about Samantha, follow her on Twitter: @SamanthaAndrews.

Take 5 is a recurring set of questions designed to get to know our chapter’s board members.

Meet the Members: Shana Pawlowicz

Each month, on the PRSA Southeastern Wisconsin blog, we will feature one of the members of our fine organization. Get to know a little bit about who they are, why they joined and what they are most looking forward to about being a part of the PRSA SEW Chapter. And maybe a few random facts here and there. 

This month, we are featuring Shana Pawlowicz!

Name –  Shana Pawlowicz

Most of your experience falls in the in non-profit sector. What’s motivates you to work in that field? I have volunteered with several organizations now for over 7 years. While I am quite open to working in a variety of different markets within the creative field, I really do enjoy the sense of good I feel when not only I see all of my hard work pay off with a successful event, but also the joy from those in attendance who will directly or indirectly benefit from my hard work.

One of you recent positions was with ABCD and their event Date with a Plate that just happened last month. How’d the event go? The event went great! We had about 18 different stations from local restaurant groups who donated fabulous food for everyone to try. Our silent auction was also a big hit with over 100 items that help to raise over $26,000 for that section alone!

With many professional organizations available, what drew you to PRSA? In college I was a member of PRSSA and not only did I find the knowledge I received during that time rewarding but also the camaraderie of my peers who were also excited to start their careers. So I knew out of college that PRSA would certainly be a great place for me to belong and now that I have moved to Milwaukee and ready to establish my career and home here, I am very excited to be apart of the local chapter.

As a new member of the organization, what aspects are you most looking forward to (luncheons, newsletters, networking, young pros, awards)? Can I say all of it? haha. But really I am a very outgoing person and a person who loves challenges and learning daily. What’s great about this organization is that I am surrounded by individuals who feel the same way. PRSA offers so many opportunities to be able to continually learn and grow in this field, and I hope to continue to do so through PRSA.

What’s your favorite aspect of the Public Relations industry? (Media relations, special events, social media, crisis communication, community relations, ect.) And why? I feel so many of those areas tie together well that you can’t really choose one in order to do your job effectively. While I’m still looking currently for a full time home with a local company, I hope that in my future position I am able to tackle each of these areas. I think what is most intriguing to me right now however is social media, for the simple fact that it is changing at such a fast pace and is so cutting edge. Well that and the fact that I just (and finally) got an iphone to putz around on all my social media avenues with!

What’s your favorite blog that you follow? I’m a huge foodie! Everyone who really knows me knows the way to my heart is with a good meal. So as much as I hate to give this little hidden gem away I will, so that others may enjoy this amazing website and create scrumdiddlyumptious treats too. http://macaroniandcheesecake.blogspot.com/ Check it out…she’s a food genius!

Tell us something we don’t know about you? I am a former Miss Oshkosh with the Miss America Organization and during my year of service I made 82 volunteer appearances. During that time I was able to raise thousands of dollars and volunteer for various non-profits which includes: St. Baldricks Day, Children’s Miracle Network, American Cancer Society, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee and many others. And while I do get lots of flack from people about this, I am very proud of the accomplishments that have come from it and just goes to show, “You can never judge a book by its cover.”

Next time you see Shana at a luncheon, be sure to introduced yourself. Or you could connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter.

– Andrew Wiech (@AndrewWiech)

Meet the Members: Samantha Andrews, APR

Each month, on the PRSA Southeastern Wisconsin blog, we will feature one of the members of our fine organization. Get to know a little bit about who they are, why they joined and what they are most looking forward to about being a part of the PRSA SEW Chapter. And maybe a few random facts here and there.

This month, we are featuring Samantha Andrews!

Name – Samantha Andrews, APR

Follow Samantha on Twitter. @SamanthaAndrews

Position/Company – Public Relations Associate, Froedtert Health Froedtert Hospital.

What initially drew you to PRSA? I was drawn to PRSA’s networking opportunities. My PRSA history began early in my public relations career; first in Green Bay with the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter. I moved to Milwaukee about six years ago and found the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter members very welcoming, dynamic and supportive.

I see you’re accredited! Congrats. How valuable is accreditation and what advice would you give to those that are looking into it? Thank you! I received my Accreditation in Public Relations in 2008. Since then it has opened a lot of doors for me, including my involvement with the PRSA Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter (SEW) board of directors. It helped me transition from tactical to a strategic thinking approach to public relations. It prompted me to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. I’m currently enrolled in the MBA program at Mount Mary College. My motto to anyone considering accreditation is “Just Do It!” It can only help you down the road.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the PRSA SEW board of directors? I’ve had the honor of being a board member since 2009, serving our chapter as assembly delegate. I enjoy the friendships I have made and learning from some of the best communicators in our field. I’m truly blessed to be a part of our board. I have learned so much from them.

What’s your favorite aspect of the Public Relations industry? What really excites you about PR? And why? Special events are my passion because I love meeting and working with people. I enjoy seeing a successful event come to fruition from its infancy stages.

How has being a PRSA SEW member helped in your career? PRSA has helped me learn of new job opportunities, including my current role at Froedtert Hospital. It has helped me learn boundless new skills and earn my APR. I also received a Paragon Award last year for one of my projects, which made me and my employer extremely proud!

How do you stay up-to-date on the industry trends? What’s your favorite industry blogs that you follow/books that you read? Our PRSA SEW chapter lunches, along with the new social media training opportunities are very interesting, fun and affordable (many of which are free!) ways to stay on top of industry trends. I read “The Strategist” and take advantage of the free webinars through PRSA as part of my membership. I also attended the national PRSA conference for the first time last year in Washington, D.C. and learned more about measurement as it applies to our practice. I subscribe to various RSS feeds through PRSA’s Web site such as PRSAY, ComPRehension and belong to various specialized groups. One of my favorites is the PRSA National group on LinkedIn.

Tell us something we don’t know about you? One interesting tidbit I like to share with Milwaukeeans is that I was a Green Bay Packers cheerleader while in college at UW-Green Bay. I’m an avid runner and passionate about golfing, so I can’t wait for spring!

Next time you see Samantha at a luncheon, be sure to introduced yourself. Or you could connect with her on LinkedIn.

– Andrew Wiech (@AndrewWiech)

Meet the Members: Kate Clough

Each month, on the PRSA Southeastern Wisconsin blog, we will feature one of the members of our fine organization. Get to know a little bit about who they are, why they joined and what they are most looking forward to about being a part of the PRSA SEW Chapter. And maybe a few random facts here and there.

This month, we are featuring one of our newest members to the organization. Welcome to the club, Kate Clough!

Name Kate Clough

Position/Company – Public Relations Assistant, Robert W. Baird & Co.

I see you graduated from Boston College! What brought you to Southeastern Wisconsin?

Follow Kate on Twitter: @kjmclough

As a native of Rhode Island and a graduate of BC, I grew up with Manhattan and Boston right around the corner. I wanted to challenge myself with a new city and a new experience. After graduating in May 2010, I first started interning with Edelman’s strategic research firm, StrategyOne, in Chicago. As my internship was nearing its end, I started to look at other marketing and PR opportunities in both Chicago and Milwaukee. The one presented by Baird in Milwaukee was a perfect fit and I couldn’t resist starting my business career at such a great company as a junior practitioner within the internal PR team. At Baird, I really enjoy working with highly seasoned PR vets, and in my first four months with the firm, I have learned an incredible amount.

With many professional organizations available, what drew you to PRSA?

I decided to join PRSA for a number of reasons. In addition to the encouragement from my co-workers, I wanted to join a community of practitioners to help in my professional enrichment and growth. I want to expand my network, push myself to stay on top of the cutting edge business practices and have a place where I can foster ideas. As a new PR professional, there is so much out there for me to learn, I think PRSA will definitely help me foster that professional growth.

As a new member of the organization, what aspects are you most looking forward to (luncheons, newsletters, networking, young pros, awards)?

As a new member of the Milwaukee community and to PRSA, I am most interested in networking and meeting other professionals in the Public Relations field through the monthly luncheons and the Young Pros Committee. I look forward to meeting professionals of all ages and expertise to gain insights about their industry trends, experiences and future opportunities.

What’s your favorite aspect of the Public Relations industry? (Media relations, special events, social media, crisis communication, community relations, ect.) And why?

My favorite aspect of the public relations industry is the use and growth of social media in the business setting. Now, more than ever, social media presents a whole new paradigm for connecting and communicating with your various audiences: clients, customers, employees, investors, among many others. My burgeoning interest in social media came after I read “Groundswell” by Josh Bernoff and Charlene Li.

My interest in media relations and community relations continues to grow in my current role at Baird. I really enjoy the opportunity to communicate with media outlets in both print and broadcast from all over the world.

What’s your favorite blog that you follow?

It’s a tough call between David Armano’s blog, “Logic & Emotion,” and “Groundswell” published by Forrester Research. I have learned so much about the world of Web 2.0 from both!

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I spent a good part of my childhood traveling around the world with my family and even moved and lived in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia for a few years while I was in grade school.

Next time you see Kate at a luncheon or networking event, be sure to introduced yourself. Or you could connect with her on LinkedIn.

– Andrew Wiech (@AndrewWiech)