Officers

Congratulations to the new 2009-2010 E-Board!

PRESIDENT, Debbie Ebalobo, debbielobo@gmail.com

What is the best PR advice you’ve learned over the years?
Never stop learning. Always be open to new ideas and always be humble.

What is the best advice you can give on how to get an internship?
Be yourself. If you don’t get it, then it wasn’t meant to be. You will be happier if you are yourself and you fit in at the company you work for. Everything else will fall into place.

What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
Rugrats!

VICE PRESIDENT, Erica Holland, ericah88@gmail.com

Besides PRSSA, what are other ways to stay up-to-date and continue to learn about the changing scope of the industry?
Read newspapers every day and find bloggers that you are interested in and read their content on a consistent basis.

What quote or motto do you live by?
Write to learn what you know.

What is your favorite TV show?
Any reality TV show… currently the Real Housewives series.

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS DIRECTOR, Kaitlyn Darr, kaitlyn.darr@gmail.com

How did you spend your summer?
I interned at Cookerly Public Relations.

Do you have any advice on how to get an internship?
Network, even if it’s uncomfortable for you, and always send a follow-up e-mail to thank them for their time. I found a mentor at an international firm this way.

If you were a candy bar, what would you be?
A snickers – all the best things in one piece (wink).

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS ASSISTANT, Katie Pniewski, katetalk@uga.edu

SECRETARY, Courtney Garmhaus, courtney.garmhaus@gmail.com

What is the best PR advice you’ve learned over the years?
When you are entering a career at a young age always dress professionally, better than your superiors because that will earn you respect.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
Hibachi Grill (it’s actually in Watkinsville but it is worth the trip!).

What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
Hey Arnold!

TREASURER, Amanda Herrington, herrington.amanda@gmail.com

How did you spend your summer?
Internship at the Georgia Club.

What is advice you would give to new PRSSA members?
Join Creative Consultants. If you want to learn, get experience and enjoy PR — you want to be part of Creative Consultants.

What quote or motto do you live by?
Be the ball.

PR DIRECTOR, Caroline Smith, cas5238@gmail.com

What is the best advice you can give on how to get an internship?
There are a lot of internships and they are all competitive so start early and apply for more than one! Even if you get one that you aren’t really excited about, try it out because it’s only temporary and you will still be gaining experience which is the most important part!

How did you spend your summer?
Interned in Washington D.C. for a Ga. state senator, interned at the State Senate Press Office at the Georgia Capitol, went to the beach in St. Augustine and spent my weekends on the lake!

If you could be a candy bar, what would you be?
Break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat Bar!

PRecedent EDITOR, Lizzy Nephew, LizzyNephew@gmail.com

What is the best PR advice you’ve been given?
Write often! Take advantage of the PRecedent and contribute articles. This will improve your natural story telling skills while providing opportunities to be published around campus.

What quote or motto do you live by?
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

How did you spend your summer?
Interning at Brandware Public Relations.

HISTORIAN, Katie Hart, misshart@gmail.com

Besides PRSSA, what are other ways to stay up-to-date and continue to learn about the changing scope of the industry?
I’m a big fan of blogs and Twitter. I know Twitter sounds crazy, but you can follow some incredible PR professionals and agencies. Many PR professionals will post links to articles and studies that are quite insightful to the industry.

What is advice you would give to new PRSSA members?
It can be daunting entering a large organization, but don’t be afraid to approach other members. PRSSA is a fabulous forum for networking so make the most of it. Also, be active and participate – join Creative Consultants, attend all the meetings and/or volunteer for a committee.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
The National. Hugh Acheson is fantastic.

WEBMASTER, Rebecca Holton, beccaholton@gmail.com

What is the best PR advice you’ve learned over the years?
Network as much as possible! You never know how a connection could serve you in the future. I’d also make a LinkedIn account – it’s a great way to connect with professionals.

What quote or motto do you live by?
You just gotta keep on livin, man. L-I-V-I-N.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
The Grit – you have to get the Buffalo Chik’n Sandwich on Texas Toast, yum!

ADVISOR, Dr. Betty Jones,  betjones@grady.uga.edu

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS ADVISOR, Dr. Kristen Smith, kmsmith@uga.edu