NMPRSA January Program – State of the State of PR

Time to look forward

Happier New Year to all of you! Has there ever been a new year more anticipated than 2021? The past year challenged our adaptation skills, to say the least. As communications and PR professionals, what knowledge and wisdom did we gain from 2020 that we take with us into 2021? Join us January 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for NMPRSA’s State of the State of PR.

Nancy Salem with Sandia National Laboratories, and a past president of NMPRSA, will moderate our savvy panelists from a variety of sectors: Jennifer Esquivel from the New Mexico Film Office, Tom Garrity of The Garrity Group Public Relations and Rachael Maestas of RM Communications, LLC.

Let’s start the year fresh with ideas and perspectives to sharpen your communications practice. Zoom you then!

Do you have questions that you would like our esteemed panelists to answer during “State of the State of PR”? Email River Marquez at river@siarza.net or ask them during the Q&A portion of the program.

Panelists: 

Jennifer Esquivel

Jennifer Esquivel is the Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications for the New Mexico Film Office.

Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, a Certificate in Urban and Regional Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in Business Management from the University of New Mexico. Jennifer took her first official communications job in 2017 with the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at UNM. In 2019, Jennifer was appointed to serve as the Marketing Manager/PIO for the City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department, the Department of Finance & Administrative Services, and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, and also heavily supporting the Mayor’s Office. She has been with the New Mexico Film Office since August 2020. In her current role she manages NMFO’s public relations including social media management, crafting press releases, handling media inquiries and interviews, and creating engaging graphics.

Tom Garrity

Leading the Garrity PR team, Tom Garrity is the company’s founder and president. Starting the firm 23 years ago, he enjoys media relations, communications strategy and crisis communications. Tom’s steadfast but resourceful approach has guided some of New Mexico’s most recognized business leaders and organizations during times of tragedy and triumph. Tom’s experience includes boosting brands that define New Mexico including the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and the New Mexico Chile Association and his work to brand Roswell as a UFO, ‘out of this world’ destination. Tom is a former New Mexico PRSA Board President and a recipient of the Lee and Marie Hirst Vista Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rachael Maestas

Rachael is the owner and operator of RM Communications LLC, an Albuquerque-based public relations firm she founded in 2019. Rachael provides PR, communications, and digital marketing services with experience working in government, economic development, progressive politics, and nonprofits. A lifelong New Mexican, Rachael attended the University of New Mexico, graduating cum laude with a B.A. in American Studies. Rachael serves on the board of the NMPRSA as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison and is a graduate of Emerge New Mexico.

Moderator:

Nancy Salem

Nancy Salem is a communications specialist with Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque. She formerly was publisher of Albuquerque Business First. Nancy, a journalism graduate of the University of New Mexico, worked in the state’s news industry for 35 years. She spent 15 years with the Associated Press in Albuquerque as a reporter, editor and business editor. She worked for The Albuquerque Tribune for 10 years as a reporter, copy editor, news editor, business editor, features editor and art critic. She also was a copy editor and news editor for the Omaha World-Herald. Nancy joined Sandia in 2011, where she worked in media relations before specializing in executive communications. She was with Business First from 2007 to 2011, where she served as editor, general manager and publisher.

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