Contact: Ellen Christie
(516) 684-2900
Volunteer Board Members Elected to Public Relations Professionals of LI
Hicksville, NY, August 24, 2015…The Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) is proud to announce recent Board of Directors appointments. Three new business professionals have joined the PRPLI board for the first time:
Donna Jannine, of West Islip, NY, is the director of public relations for Long Island’s leading public relations, marketing, advertising and social media firm, Zimmerman/Edelson, Inc., located in Great Neck, NY. She oversees the firm’s corporate, municipal, education and non-profit clients, and plays an integral role in the overall operations of the firm and internship program.
Jerry Allocca, of Levittown, is the founder of CORE Interactive, a NYC and Long Island based award-winning team of internet specialists. Allocca is the author of Connected Culture, and teaches digital marketing at Hofstra University CE. He is a frequent speaker at local business events on the topics of digital media and online advertising.
Tim Hurley, of Bellmore is New Media Specialist for Gotham Government Relations and Communications in Garden City where he oversees video, radio, and internet productions. He previously worked for Hudson Moon Productions creating web sites for media personalities, and was a TV producer and writer for Court TV.
Five new PRPLI Board Officers were elected as follows:
Kali Chan was elected President of Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI). Chan, a resident of East Patchogue, oversees all 13 PRPLI committees of the 150 member trade organization. Chan is the Director of Media Relations for the nationally-ranked Adelphi University Public Affairs Department in Garden City. Chan was the recipient of a MarCom Award from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals, Achievement in Communications award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC-LI), Communicator Award for the publicity campaign category from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, and a Best Publicist nomination from Long Island Press
Donna Rivera-Downey was elected Executive Vice President of PRPLI, and serves as chair of the membership and scholarship committee. Rivera-Downey is Chief Marketing and Communications Officers for the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. She is a resident of Hicksville, and serves as the President of the Hicksville – Jericho Rotary Club. Rivera-Downey previously worked at JP Morgan Chase. She is the recipient of the 2015 Mentor of the Year Award from PRPLI, and was recognized by TD Bank during Women’s History Month.
Ellen Christie was elected First Vice President of PRPLI, and serves as publicity/social media committee chair. A resident of East Meadow, she is the Marketing Director at the medical malpractice law firm Pegalis & Erickson, in Lake Success. In 2012 she received the Achievement Award for Community Service from IABC-LI. Christie is also active with the Long Island Imagine Awards, and as a freelance web site and communications project manager.
Louise Cassano was elected Treasurer of PRPLI, and is also Editor of their newsletter. A Levittown resident, she is the owner and principal of LuCas Communications. Cassano is an active juried artist with paintings exhibited around Long Island. She has served as past president of PRPLI and the Levittown Chamber of Commerce. She was the recipient of the New York State Assembly Women of Distinction Award, and the Nassau County Trailblazer Award.
Valerie Esposito was elected Secretary of PRPLI, and chairs the design and branding, and content marketing committees. A resident of Bellmore, Esposito is a public relations associate at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue. She is also a freelance journalist, and was previously the public relations associate at AHRC Nassau in Brookville.
About PRPLI Founded in 1990, the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) is the largest regional trade association for PR and communications professionals. Members represent nearly every industry on Long Island, and are also sole practionners and NYC employees. The organization is dedicated to providing networking and educational opportunities year-round and advancing careers while supporting Long Island. Our annual spring awards program offers scholarships for students and honors individuals who are mentors, rising stars, media friends, community leaders, and lifelong PR professionals. For more information, visit us at PRPLI.org.
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