Meet Kathy
 When Kathy’s not writing an interesting story, delivering an award-winning speech in Toastmasters, traveling to a conference or just traveling for fun, you may spot her at a shoe store, adding to her well-known collection.
Selected Achievements
Led the CHELCO News magazine through 17 years of production and several design changes to better reflect the needs of the members and the outlook of the cooperative. The magazine received several awards for excellence through the years from the Spotlight on Excellence Awards Program. Each year, the bi-annual Member Satisfaction Survey, shows that CHELCO News is the preferred means of communication with members.
Developed an award winning marketing kit for CHELCO’s annual Rural Electric Washington, D.C., Youth Tour program. The kit’s theme changed each year with assistance from Youth Tour students to ensure the kit colors and design were appealing to 11th grade students. The kit won several awards from the Spotlight on Excellence Awards Program and Addy awards from the American Advertising Federation – Emerald Coast.
Lead writer and editor of the CHELCO Crisis Communication Plan, which took more than one year to complete. In the process, developed and implemented a crisis practice that included local media members and law enforcement.
Established, with the Lake DeFuniak Toastmasters, a Gavel Club at Walton Correctional Institution in 2011. Act as the club’s mentor. Gavel Clubs are an extension of Toastmasters International for incarcerated men and women. In Florida, the clubs are open to inmates in a re-entry program to help them develop speaking skills that can help when they are looking for jobs. The Gavel Club at WCI is looked upon as a model club. Also worked with the Okaloosa Correctional Institution Gavel Club, 2010.
Achieved certification as a Certified Cooperative Communicator (CCC). Produced a portfolio of projects and successfully passed a 4-hour written exam.
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Professional Experience
2Morrow Communications, Crestview, Fla., February 2013 – Present – President
Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Inc., DeFuniak Springs, Fla., January 1996 – February 2013 – Director of Communications
Alabama Electric Cooperative (now PowerSouth), Andalusia, Ala., August 1992 – January 1996 – Information Specialist
Troy State University (now Troy University), Troy, Ala., 1992, 1998 – Adjunct Journalism Instructor
Army Flier, Fort Rucker, Ala., April 1991- August 1992 - Production Manager, Managing Editor
Daleville Sun-Courier, Daleville, Ala., July 1989 – April 1991 – Managing Editor, Staff Writer
Enterprise Ledger, Enterprise, Ala., 1988 – 1989 – Community Reporter
Education
B.S., Troy State University, Troy, Ala., 1989, Double Major: Print Journalism, English, Magna Cum Laude
A.A., Enterprise State Junior College, Enterprise, Ala., 1987
Professional Certifications
Certified Cooperative Communicator – 1999
Real Estate Sales Associate - 2000
Professional Activities
American Advertising Federation – Emerald Coast, member since 1996
Read More about Kathy's involvement with American Advertising Federation >>
Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization – member since 1998
Kathy currently serves as secretary of the Southern Public Relations Federation Board.
She was elected in November 2013 and began her term in January 2014.
Read More about Kathy's involvement with ECPRO >>
Lake DeFuniak Toastmasters – charter member, 2006
Read More about Kathy's involvement with Toastmasters >>
Crestview Toastmasters – member since 2007
Panhandle Advanced Club, Toastmasters, charter member, 2013
United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties Marketing Committee – since 1997
Catholic Charities Board, member 2012-2013
Hall School of Journalism Alumni Association – charter member, 1991
Crestview Chamber of Commerce, member since 1996
Honors
Nominated by the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) for the 2014 Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) Professional Achievement Award.
Toastmasters International – Interim Area 53 Governor – February – June 2014
Toastmasters International – Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) – May 2013
Toastmasters International – Advanced Leader Silver Award, Distinguished Toastmasters Award – 2013
Toastmasters International – Advanced Communicator Gold, Advanced Leader Bronze
Toastmasters International – Distinguished Area 18 Governor – 2010-2011, Division E Governor – 2011-2012
Southern Public Relations Federation – Senior Practitioner – 2005
Hall School of Journalism – Outstanding Service Award – April 2000
United Way Marketing Committee Chair – 2001-2003
Fort Rucker, Ala., 1989 – 1990, Mayor of Family Housing |
