PRSA Chapters throughout the Southeast are holding interesting monthly meetings that offer excellent professional development opportunities for members and prospective members. For example, in July, the monthly luncheon of the Memphis Chapter — one of 11 chapters in the Southeast district — focused on the topic of the role of public relations in organizations. Bryan Jordan, CEO of First Horizon National Corp., shared why he thinks public relations deserves a voice in decisions at the highest level for one of the country’s 30 largest banking companies. It’s important to the company in both making decisions and in explaining them, he said. First Horizon is the parent company of First Tennessee and FTN Financial.

Members gathered at the chapter’s new meeting location at the University Club, 1346 Central Avenue in Memphis. A buffet meal was served prior to Jordan’s remarks. Guests were introduced, and a special location was made available for resumes.

It was my pleasure to attend the Memphis chapter’s meeting representing the PRSA Southeast District. Particularly impressive were the excellent meeting attendance and program quality. Immediately before the membership meeting, chapter leaders met to discuss chapter plans. These included Holden Potter, Amanda Mauck, Kelli Eason, Marvin Stockwell, Kim Marks, Kiersten Bagley, Elise Dillingham, Kim Speros, Jamie Coggins, Daphne Thomas, Bob Phillips, Beth Simkanin, Beena White and Kim Cherry.

I enjoyed meeting new PRSA colleagues during my official district visit, as well as seeing one of my former University of Tenessee public relations students, Jessica Neal Hord, who now is Sponsorship & Community Relations Director at Habitat for Humanity.
~Bonnie Riechert