If you’ve attended one of our Central PA Chapter events during the past decade, you probably had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth Smith, APR, MBA. Liz has held several leadership positions in Central PA PRSA, including Chapter President in 2014-2015. During Liz’s career, she has held communications leadership roles with many organizations and has won numerous awards, including the Frederick E. Leuschner Award, our Chapter’s highest honor.

Liz will be moving out of Central Pennsylvania in November, so we would like to thank her for her leadership and friendship over the years. We will miss her professionalism, creativity and enthusiasm, but we wish her the best on her journey! 

Liz Smith’s Farewell Message

Eight years went by quickly serving in leadership positions with our Central PA Chapter.

Today with both sadness and anticipation for the future, I wanted to let you know that my husband, Craig, and I will be moving to Charleston, South Carolina, to join our son and daughter, her husband and our one-year-old grandson.

As I reflect on the last eight years, I can say that becoming a part of our Central PA Chapter has been one of my best experiences, and I will miss you. I will always remember the warm welcome and support you gave me as president of the chapter tor two years and while serving as a former president and mentor to the leadership team ever since. The members of the Central PA Chapter are some of the nicest people in the world, and I thank you for becoming a big part of my life.

As a member of PRSA throughout my career, I won a PRSA National Bronze Anvil and other awards, but it was not until I got involved with the Central PA Chapter that I felt fully engaged with many professionals. I encourage you to join a committee and become an officer, too. You will get more of your involvement than you would ever think.

Yes, eight years goes by quickly, but I feel that I was a part of the chapter long enough to have an impact. Serving as president of our chapter and chair of the PRSA Mid-Atlantic District simultaneously, I was able to initiate and lead the nation’s first APR District Bootcamp five years ago.  Since then I have led the district bootcamp annually, while also serving as a trainer and enlisting the support of trainers and hosts from our Central PA and Richmond chapters. This passion has resulted in record-breaking increases in new APRs for our chapter and the Mid-Atlantic District.

Another long-lasting accomplishment that will help our chapter for many years was initiating and transitioning our awards program from a hard copy, multi-notebook submission process to going online. The transition took place at the lowest cost by far in the nation, costing only a few hundred dollars as opposed to a few thousand.

Continuity of leadership is very important to me, so I also recruited many leaders each year to our chapter, and encourage you to become one of them. You are fortunate to be a member of our Central PA Chapter. We are not part of a large chapter, but together we make a great impact.

So, I will not say goodbye, as it is hard to leave you, my friends. Instead, I hope to see you again when I come back to visit and attend one of our wonderful socials. Please stay in touch.

Thank you, Central PA Chapter! Continue to make me proud!

 

A few comments from some of Liz’s PRSA colleagues:

“I can’t imagine Central PA PRSA or Mid-Atlantic District without you! You will be missed so much. You were there when I needed you years ago and you became a force to be reckoned with, not just at the local and district level, but at the national level as well. You went to bat for APR students everywhere! I wish you the best and send you thoughts of safe travel and peace. Our loss is South Carolina’s good fortune. I’m sure you’ll be involved there in no time.” – Janet Kacskos, APR, Fellow PRSA

“I will truly miss Liz’s enthusiasm and energy in our chapter and at district events. She has been a wonderful leader in so many of our efforts. I will especially miss her input and discussion at Leadership Assembly. She has provided thoughtful and knowledgeable representation for our chapter at assembly. I wish her only the best in South Carolina and hope she keeps in contact with us.” – Thomas P. Boyle, Ph.D., APR

“You are a visionary for the profession and for PRSA. Your accomplishments are still bearing fruit. I valued the time we spent serving together on the chapter’s board. Best wishes on your move to Charleston and I can relate to wanting to spend time with grandson and family.” – Julian Richter

“Liz, I’ve enjoyed working with you over the years. Your energy and enthusiasm have inspired me to try new things in my life and career. Enjoy your time with your family, and I hope to see you at a PRSA event in the future.” – Molly McGowan, APR