Get to Know the 2024-2025 FPRA Capital Chapter Board
We’re excited to introduce you to the new members of the FPRA Capital Chapter Board!
Keep reading to get to know and connect with the 2024-2025 FPRA Capital Chapter Board. You will learn fun facts, discover their professional backgrounds, and find out why they joined the FPRA Capital Chapter. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, collaboration, or simply to make new connections, our board members are ready to engage with you.
Officers
Valencia L. Scott
President
Deputy Director of Public Relations, Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office
About Valencia
Valencia L. Scott serves as the Deputy Director of Public Relations for the Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office, bringing over 21 years of dedicated experience to her role. With expertise in Community Outreach & Neighborhood Engagement, Social Media Marketing, Media Communications, and Employee Relations, she is responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and managing digital content. Valencia also leads impactful community outreach initiatives and coordinates emergency response efforts and trainings, ensuring the office is prepared to serve the Leon County community effectively. Her work is vital in educating the public about the office’s roles and responsibilities, particularly in broadening awareness of various property tax exemptions and clarifying the functions of the property appraiser within the community. A passionate advocate for service and education, Valencia has spent the past 24 years deeply rooted in Tallahassee, actively participating in numerous local fraternal, professional, community, and service organizations. Her exceptional leadership and contributions have earned her several prestigious honors, including being featured in Tallahassee Woman Magazine’s Black History Month tribute honoring African American women, named one of the 2023 Tallahassee Women You Need to Know, and honored by Tallahassee Community College during the 2024 Women’s History Month under the theme “Celebrating Women – Building Community.” Valencia has been a proud member of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Capital Chapter since 2017, where she continues to contribute to the advancement of the public relations profession. Her enduring dedication to public service and community engagement underscores her unwavering commitment to making a positive and lasting impact in Leon County and beyond.
Why did you join FPRA Capital Chapter?
I joined the FPRA Capital Chapter to align myself with the PR and Communications professionals I admired—individuals like Jon Brown, Heidi Otway, Alison Faris, Ron Sachs and others—who were doing the kind of work I aspired to do. I sought opportunities to learn from and grow with industry leaders, but I had no idea how profoundly it would impact me. The relationships I’ve built, the wisdom and insight shared with me, and the professional and leadership development opportunities have equipped me to excel in my role. Joining FPRA has given me not just skills but also a supportive village that continues to empower my journey.
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Carla Brown Lucas, M.S.
Immediate Past President
President, Brown Lucas Consulting
About Carla
Carla Brown Lucas, M.S. A love of writing and editing – along with a nose for news and a sense for strategy – led Carla to a career in marketing communications. Clients in a variety of industries have trusted her to help them shape and tell their stories to donors, the media, elected officials, members of the community, their employees and other stakeholders. She has experience leading and directing complex initiatives, including planning and responding to crisis situations. Since launching Brown Lucas Consulting in 2007, Carla has garnered local, state, national, and international media placements by proactively identifying and crafting unique, engaging, and compelling stories. Using strategies honed during her 20+ years of experience, Carla effectively works with clients to identify their core goals and deliver results that align with their mission. Prior to Brown Lucas Consulting, Carla was the vice president of marketing and public relations at the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) where she directed all media relations, advertising, publications, and message development. In addition to marketing Palm Beach County as a destination for business, Carla also promoted the organization to current and prospective paid members, which helped to fund the BDB’s economic development efforts. While there, Carla oversaw the creation of the organization’s biotech industry recruitment piece, “Life.Science.”, which received two Addy awards. Previous experience also includes time with a leading Tallahassee-based public affairs firm, where she worked with a variety of clients in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, government, education, nonprofit and land development sectors. She played a leading role in the management of the firm’s account with a major, U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, and collaborated with the client’s public affairs managers in multiple states to keep the company’s mental health medications on state Medicaid formularies. This included collaboration with mental health advocacy organizations, law enforcement officials, and members of the judicial branch who had first-hand knowledge regarding the importance of access to mental health treatment and medication. Carla began her career as a public information assistant in the Florida governor’s press office, and worked for three administrations. A graduate of Florida State University, Carla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (concentration in creative writing), with a minor in international affairs. The former resident of Stuart, Florida, is a graduate of Leadership Martin County, past president of The Pine School Alumni Association, and served on the board of trustees of The Pine School and the board of directors for the Martin County Seminole Club. She is a member of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), and currently serves on the Capital Chapter’s board as the immediate past president. Carla also is a longtime member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and currently serves on the executive committee for PRSA’s Independent Practitioner’s Alliance (IPA) as secretary. Outside of PR, Carla enjoys traveling, knitting, trivia and volunteers as an adoption counselor with Smitten With Kittens, a Tallahassee-area kitten rescue organization.
Fun Fact: I took Arabic as my foreign language in college.
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Lauren Helm, APR, CPRC
President-Elect
President, Lauren Helm PR
About Lauren
Lauren Helm’s extensive career has been anchored in public relations. She has navigated the world of branding, community relations, event management, digital marketing, corporate communications, and community engagement while harnessing a proven track record of delivering results that matter. Lauren’s work also extends beyond the boardroom, as she has become a prominent figure in community engagement. Notably, she recently facilitated a collaboration that led to the establishment of a permanent food pantry in Leon County’s Title I Schools. Actively involved in various leadership roles, Lauren is a member of Leadership Tallahassee Class 41, an alumnus of the Joe Curley Rising Leader Class in the Florida Public Relations Association, and serves as the President-Elect for the Florida Public Relations Association – Capital Chapter.
Lauren’s PR Journey: I fell into public relations through event planning. I worked in association management as a meeting planner, planning events for 500+ people all over Florida, and I wanted to elevate the events through personalized communications. At the time, that wasn’t common practice, and I found myself falling in love with communication strategies and delivering value to our attendees year-round.
Fun Fact: I worked at the Tallahassee Museum in college and have had the honor of rolling around in the dirt playing with caracals and Bengal tigers.
Why did you join FPRA Capital Chapter?
Initially, I joined the Capital Chapter because I was seeking credentialing opportunities to deepen my understanding of the profession and have a strong foundation when approaching complex strategies. Upon joining, I received such a warm welcome and have truly built a network with strong communicators and creatives that make me want to be better each and every day.
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Andy Janecek
Treasurer
Director of Public Relations, Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office
About Andy
Andy Janecek is a practiced government administration and public relations professional with over 20 years of experience working with state and local governments, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. He is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science. He holds the Certified Florida Evaluator (CFE) designation from the Florida Department of Revenue. Andy serves as Director of Public Relations for the Leon County Property Appraiser’s office, a position he has held since 2021. Additionally, he serves as Treasurer of the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and as a member of the boards of Big Bend Cares and the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Andy is an alum of Leadership Tallahassee Class 40.
Andy’s PR Journey: My journey to public relations was born out of personal experiences that shaped my understanding of the power of communication. After coming out as a young gay man, I realized that storytelling can be a catalyst for change, advocacy, and healing. This realization guided me towards a career where I could use my voice to drive positive societal impact.
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Jamie Gillhespy
Secretary
Digital Communication Specialist, The Florida Bar
About Jamie
Jamie Gillhespy is The Florida Bar’s Digital Communications Specialist. In this position, she creates and reviews digital materials for the Bar. This includes creating original social media graphics for The Florida Bar and several of its committees, including the youth-focused Law-Related Education Committee. She also works on other design projects that benefit from a Communications perspective, as her background in English Literature and experience teaching English Composition have equipped her to understand the importance of crafting a message that works on all levels—visual and textual. Jamie earned a Master’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University in English Literature, and then attended Florida State University, where she pursued a PhD in English Literature with an emphasis on 19th Century British and Modernist Literature. Jamie also serves as vice president for Triple R Horse Rescue in Tallahassee, where she works with Triple R’s horses and their fosters, but also plays a key role in developing promotional materials and communications strategies for the organization and its annual fundraising event.
Fun Fact: I have taught my dog to “sing” multiple songs, including: “Have I Told You Lately,” “Deck the Halls,” “Happy Birthday,” and “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say)”
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Directors
Lizzy Kelley, APR
Director of Credentialing
Marketing & Public Information Manager, City of Tallahassee
About Lizzy
Creating messages with impact through creativity, preparation, attention to detail and a positive attitude is Lizzy Kelley’s aim. The broad field of municipal communications has been her focus since 2007, nearly the entirety of her professional career. Working in this specialty allowed her to develop a wide range of public relations, marketing, journalism and communications skills. Steadily growing from the graduate intern to a manager within the City of Tallahassee’s Communications Department, she has led outreach efforts for major road projects, worked with leadership following crises, steered the City’s social media presence, developed campaigns to educate residents on green initiatives and more. She works with a talented, collaborative team, and when their powers combine, they bring big visions to life for the City’s municipal services. Lizzy is passionate about communicating clearly and cultivating a positive work environment. A lifelong learner, she is nationally accredited in public relations, trained for emergency response through FEMA’s NIMS and certified in public management. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a master’s degree from Florida A&M University. To keep her batteries charged, she enjoys playing in the City’s recreational slow-pitch softball league, leading free yoga classes online and attempting to grow vegetables in her home garden.
Fun Fact: I have visited the SPAM Museum in Minnesota, which I highly recommend for a quirky good time and to marvel at their commitment to brand identity.
Why did you join FPRA Capital Chapter?
I’m a big proponent of lifelong learning, and thankfully, my organization strongly supports professional development. Former co-workers connected me to FPRA, which has provided great industry insight and a path to earning further credentials in the field.
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Shavonne McAndrew
Director of Awards and Recognition
Marketing & Communications Specialist, The American Society of Nondestructive Testing
About Shavonne
Shavonne McAndrew is a strategic marketing and communications professional with over six years of experience in email marketing and digital communications campaigns. She recently joined the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) as the Marketing and Communication Specialist. Shavonne holds a Master of Arts in Digital Humanities from Florida State University and has served as Digital Marketing Manager at the Florida Justice Association and Public Information Specialist at Leon County Government. Shavonne is joining FPRA’s Capital Chapter board for the first time this year and looks forward to highlighting the outstanding work of PR professionals in our local area through awards and recognition.
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Elizabeth Loeffelman
Director of Communications
Public Information Strategist, Leon County Government
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth serves at the Public Information Strategist at Leon County Government. She holds a Master of Arts degree in art history and a Master of Science degree in information from Florida State University.
Why did you join FPRA Capital Chapter?
I joined FPRA in 2021 for the opportunity to connect with other pr and communications professionals. I entered the field only a few years ago and having the support and encouragement of my peers has been incredibly valuable.
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Taylore Maxey
Director of Membership
Account Manager, Sachs Media
About Taylore
Taylore Maxey is an award-winning communicator who joined Sachs Media in late 2021 after serving as press secretary for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. She oversaw all communications and outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, managed statewide plans and campaigns for multi-million and billion-dollar programs, and implemented the state’s largest first-time homebuyer exposition. She previously worked in the Legislative and Public Affairs Department at the Florida League of Cities, where she assisted in the messaging and public affairs efforts for 412 cities and coordinated the implementation and management of former Governor Jeb Bush’s Governor’s Municipal Mentoring Initiative. Laser-focused on meeting measurable goals with a keen sense of maximizing client relations, Taylore is the account manager for Sachs Media’s public relations accounts. Her expertise covers local, state, and federal governments, affordable housing, business continuity/disaster recovery, and the arts. She was honored as “Communicator of the Year” in 2023 by FPRA, an FPRA State Image Award winner, ADDY Award winner, and TELLY Award winner, and recognized three times as a “Woman to Watch” in Tallahassee Woman Magazine. She has successfully led marketing and public relations outreach for the LeMoyne Chain of Parks Fine Art Festival, contributing to its being ranked the #1 fine arts festival in the nation by Sunshine Artist™ Magazine. She was also in Class 39 in Leadership Tallahassee. Raised in Tallahassee, she earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and public relations from Troy University in Alabama.
Why did you join FPRA Capital Chapter?
I became a member of the Capital Chapter in 2005. Reflecting on nearly two decades of membership, my decision was driven by the chapter’s reputation for professional excellence and its commitment to advancing the field of public relations in our community. One of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement with the Capital Chapter is the diverse activities and opportunities offered to engage members. From monthly networking gatherings to professional development initiatives, I appreciate the chapter’s dedication to fostering a dynamic and supportive environment.
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Michael Sonntag
Director of Programming
Account Manager, Liquid Creative
About Michael
Michael has his master’s degree in American Politics and Public Policy. He has worked in government relations, political campaigns, nonprofit advocacy and communications, and currently works with Liquid Creative managing client needs in marketing, public relations, and communications.
Fun Fact: “I am an avid scuba diver and have a tattoo sleeve in progress around great experiences I have had while diving.”
Michael’s PR Journey: My PR journey started in political advocacy and public affairs and has since transitioned into an in-house agency role. I aim to always continue learning and growing to provide top-notch PR campaigns and content as well as work that I can be proud of.
Why did you join FPRA Capital Chapter?
I joined FPRA to continue my work and expand my network in the public relations field. After my first ER for PR event working with nonprofits and the incredible PR professionals who donated their time to support worthy causes, I knew I wanted to remain a part of the FPRA Capital Chapter.
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Leah Justice
Director of Student Relations
Public Information Specialist, City of Tallahassee
About Leah
Leah is a passionate communications professional with six years of experience in local government. Originally from Pensacola, she received a bachelors in Communications from the University of West Florida, specializing in public relations and marketing. Her experience includes strategic communications planning for various city and county programs, events and initiatives, as well as supporting emergency communications during hurricanes and other crises. She is also a proud recent graduate of Leadership FPRA.
Why did you join FPRA Capital Chapter?
Back in Pensacola, I was actively involved with the FPRA chapter there. When I moved to Tallahassee for my career, I knew the Capital Chapter would be a great place to network with local professionals. What I didn’t expect was how many incredible opportunities it would provide to grow my confidence as a communicator and how supportive the community would be both personally and professionally. Over the past two years in the Capital Chapter, I’ve built lifelong friendships and gained a deep appreciation for the public relations industry.
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Get Involved
Do you want to be more involved with the FPRA Capital Chapter? Volunteer to serve on a committee! Committee members assist board members with social media, planning programs, recruiting members, and more.