Take 5: Annie Gentil

Chapter position: TreasurerAnnGentil
Current position: Corporate communications coordinator at Standard Process Inc.

What do you find most beneficial about our chapter? I really like all of the opportunities there are to get involved with the chapter. Since becoming the chapter’s treasurer, I have met so many new people in PR. In fact, at a recent seminar, I looked around the room and recognized over half the people in the room from PRSA functions. That is awesome!

What do you like best about being a professional communicator? As a professional communicator I enjoy how much I can help make a difference. From being a part of a team that raises awareness for what our company does, to volunteering to create communication materials for my children’s school, I have a lot of opportunities to make a difference. I also like how much I can continue to learn as I work on different projects. Working in PR, there is always a chance to learn from others how to do something better, bolder and bigger. Learning helps me sharpen my skills and keeps me on my toes.

What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy spending time with my family. With two kids, 9 and 7, we are constantly on the move. We like going to baseball games and playing baseball. We also all like swimming and watching movies. I love to read … sometimes a little too much! Before I know it, it’s 2 a.m. and even though I need to get up for work in the morning, I cannot put the book down!

What’s your favorite restaurant in Southeastern Wisconsin? Even though pizza is my favorite food (and there are so many great places to get a pizza pie around here), hands down my favorite restaurant in the area is Samano’s in Cudahy. It’s a family-owned restaurant offering delicious Mexican food and the margaritas are awesome … on the rocks of course! I highly recommend you drop in if find yourself passing by it on S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Ask for Michelle and tell her “Annie Gentil” sent you!

What’s the best vacation you’ve taken? One of the best things I’ve ever done on a vacation is visit Ellis Island. I visited with my mom, and we got to see where my great-grandparents came into the country. The tour the park service offered was one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had. We looked up the manifests from the ships they came on and saw their names and signatures. If you’re in New York City, take a day to go to Ellis Island.

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