2018 Board of Directors
Norita Taylor, APR
President
Norita has been in public relations for more than 20 years on both the agency and corporate sides. She has been with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) for nearly ten years as Director of Public Relations. She serves as a facilitator for the online study course for Accreditation in Public Relations which also includes mentoring APR candidates. She is the public relations and marketing chairperson for City Theatre of Independence. Her hobbies include amateur photography, both digital and film, and playing piano and singing in classic rock bands.
Contact Info:
OOIDA
17309 E 50th Terr Ct. S.
Independence, MO 64055
norita_taylor@ooida.com
Leslie Marshall
VP - Operations
As the earned media supervisor at MBB Agency, Leslie Marshall works acro
ss the agency’s portfolio of consumer products and healthcare services clients. She is responsible for spearheading strategic development and management with expertise in content marketing, social media, influencer relations and public relations strategies. Prior to MBB, Leslie worked for a public relations firm in Chicago. She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communications.
Contact Info:
mbb+hipp
11610 Ash Street, Ste 20
Leawood, KS 66211
lmarshall@mbbagency.com
Aaron Smullin
SVP - People
As the senior marketing coordinator for Cerner, Smullin supports the ambulatory and physician marketing team and the ambulatory sales team. Prior to Cerner, Smullin has worked in nonprofit, agency and government communication. He works to ensure the ambulatory and physician brand is on point and message across all of Cerner’s communication channels. He has also held numerous roles in PRSA at the local and national level.Smullin earned his bachelor’s in liberal arts from West Virginia University, a master’s in healthcare management from Rockhurst University and is working toward his master’s in communication from Southern New Hampshire University.
Cerner
2800 Rockcreek Parkway
North Kansas City, MO 64117
aaron.smullin@cerner.com
Gene King, APR
VP - Professional Standards
Gene King, APR, combines the science of marketing with the art of communications to grow revenues and effectively protect and enhance a company’s brand reputation. A 25-year communications veteran, he has built strategic brand, content, and thought leadership plans for the real estate, energy, financial services and non-profit sectors.
He regularly presents at industry events focusing on Content Marketing, Brand Journalism and Measurement. He has earned multiple PRISM, Sabre and Silver Anvil awards.
A former newspaper reporter, King earned a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in integrated marketing communications, both from the University of Kansas. He also earned his Accreditation in Public Relations in 2015.
Contact Info:
Skyking Marketing & Communications
816-588-5946
skyking5286@yahoo.com
Sydnie Burton
VP - Member Connections
Sydnie Burton is an Account Manager at DMH, a full-service advertising agency located in the heart of KC Stockyards District. She has worked with clients big and small to help them tell their stories through mixed media. Her previous experiences include FanThreeSixty, Willoughby Design, and Fleishman-Hillard. Prior to taking the role of VP of Member Connections, Sydnie served as the VP of Finance and on committees for the PRISM Awards and #PRSSAKC Summit. Sydnie is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Go Big Red!
Contact Info:
DMH
1505 Genessee Street, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64102
Phone: 913-579-3273
Fax: 913-579-3273
sydnie.burton@gmail.com
Bridget Koan
VP - Communications
Bridget Koan is a Public Relations Specialist at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She writes about the Conservatory of Music and Dance, the School of Computing and Engineering, Theatre, the Department of Economics, the Department of Art and Art History and facilities. Bridget also monitors the University's social media accounts and coordinates social media initiatives.
She's a self-proclaimed news junkie addicted to talk radio, reading and all things social. You can find her on Twitter at @bridgetlhk.
Contact Info:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
9712 N. Charlotte St.
Kansas City, MO 64155
Bridgetlhk@yahoo.com
Alex Miller
VP - Professional Development
Alex Miller, Communications Coordinator for Parson+Associates, brings creative and professional strategies into any project he is involved in. From planning and executing a special event, building relationships with community leaders and business owners, or talking directly with media members, Alex has the proven experience to bring clear and cohesive messages to the public.
Alex has built several key relationships with Kansas City officials, community leaders, and business owners working on the KC Streetcar Construction, as the Assistant Campaign Manager for City Councilman Dan Fowler and City Councilman Scott Wagner, ADA Compliance, LISC NeighborhoodsNow, RideKC and 20th Street Streetscape.
Contact Info:
Parson+Associates
1518 E. 18th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-260-5746
alex@parsonkc.com
Austin Falley
VP - Finance
Austin Falley is the senior communicator and public information officer for Johnson County, Kansas Government. He manages media relations on the public affairs team and works closely with senior county management and elected commissioners. For nearly four years, he served as director of communications at the University of Kansas School of Business, where he shaped the school’s message and lead marketing communications efforts to build the school’s brand. For five years, he served Dean Neeli Bendapudi’s administration during the business school’s rapid growth and $70.5 million new building campaign. Austin holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.
Contact Info:
Johnson County Government
111 S. Cherry St
Suite 3300
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-715-0423
austinfalley@gmail.com
Sarah Biles is director of communications at Harvesters—The Community Food Network, this region’s food bank which provides food to a network of 620 nonprofit agencies in 26-counties.
Prior to Harvesters, Sarah worked as director of community relations at another non-profit in Kansas City—Union Station. Her background also includes work as a reporter and producer in radio and television news.
Contact Info:
Harvesters-The Community Food Network
3801 Topping Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64129
Fax: (816) 929-3068
e-mail: Sbiles@harvesters.org
VP - Social Media
Contact Info:
AMC
11500 Ash Street
Leawood, KS 66211
ksanden@amctheatres.com
Co-Chair of PRISM
