Introducing our 2013 Regional Conference Speakers...
Keynote Speaker: Adam Kmiec
For 15 years, Adam Kmiec has worked for some of the most forward thinking organizations in the world, while helping some of the most dynamic brands find success in the interactive and social space.
Currently he is the Director of Global Digital Marketing and Social Media at The Campbell Soup Company. In his role he is responsible for developing a global digital marketing and social media strategy that encompasses both consumer-facing communications and corporate initiatives to make Campbell one of the most digitally fit organizations in the world.
His career spans both the client and agency sides of the marketing and advertising industry, covering stops at renowned organizations that include Fallon, Leo Burnett, Walgreens and ConAgra Foods. His focus has always been on solving business problems by leveraging consumer driven insights to fuel creative ideation. A frequent speaker and news contributor, he’s constantly challenging the norm and convention.
In his free time, Kmiec enjoys traveling, photography and being a dad. He is currently working on a book titled, “Yes, It’s Hypocritical,” due for completion summer 2013. Kmiec will be speaking at the Penn State 2013 PRSSA Regional Conference on the ever evolving landscape of the communications industry. Follow Kmiec on Twitter @AdamKmiec.
Currently he is the Director of Global Digital Marketing and Social Media at The Campbell Soup Company. In his role he is responsible for developing a global digital marketing and social media strategy that encompasses both consumer-facing communications and corporate initiatives to make Campbell one of the most digitally fit organizations in the world.
His career spans both the client and agency sides of the marketing and advertising industry, covering stops at renowned organizations that include Fallon, Leo Burnett, Walgreens and ConAgra Foods. His focus has always been on solving business problems by leveraging consumer driven insights to fuel creative ideation. A frequent speaker and news contributor, he’s constantly challenging the norm and convention.
In his free time, Kmiec enjoys traveling, photography and being a dad. He is currently working on a book titled, “Yes, It’s Hypocritical,” due for completion summer 2013. Kmiec will be speaking at the Penn State 2013 PRSSA Regional Conference on the ever evolving landscape of the communications industry. Follow Kmiec on Twitter @AdamKmiec.
Agency Speaker: Greg St. Claire
As the current Executive Vice President to the Corporate Issues Management practice in Edelman's
Washington D.C. office, Mr. Greg St. Claire works on high profile accounts and leads strategic programming for other teams to put into practice across the U.S. and the globe. Since 2005, Greg has been working with Edelman on some of its largest partnerships including Walmart, eBay, Shell, USAirways Starbucks and most recently, Penn State.
For the past seven years, Greg spent two years working with eBay as a Global Client Relationship Manager (GRCM) where he helped the company to develop in the areas of fashion and electronics, and established leadership with a focus on mobile commerce. Also Greg spent four years as a GRCM for Edelman's client, Walmart where he handled sensitive legal issues and important communication aspects of the company.
Prior to becoming an employee of Edelman, Greg owned his own political consulting firm in Virginia known as, St. Claire Communications which he founded in 1999. St. Claire Communications worked with various members of congress, senators, governors and republican parties during the 2004 election. Having worked on various political campaigns during his career, Greg has been featured on CNN, as well as "Campaigns and Elections Magazine." He has also been given the "Pollie Award" for his work with the NRCC. He has worked on political campaigns dating all the way back to 1988.
Aside from his work at Edelman, Greg speaks at campaign training seminars and assists with media workshops hosted across the country. In addition, he is a routine guest lecturer at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
Washington D.C. office, Mr. Greg St. Claire works on high profile accounts and leads strategic programming for other teams to put into practice across the U.S. and the globe. Since 2005, Greg has been working with Edelman on some of its largest partnerships including Walmart, eBay, Shell, USAirways Starbucks and most recently, Penn State.
For the past seven years, Greg spent two years working with eBay as a Global Client Relationship Manager (GRCM) where he helped the company to develop in the areas of fashion and electronics, and established leadership with a focus on mobile commerce. Also Greg spent four years as a GRCM for Edelman's client, Walmart where he handled sensitive legal issues and important communication aspects of the company.
Prior to becoming an employee of Edelman, Greg owned his own political consulting firm in Virginia known as, St. Claire Communications which he founded in 1999. St. Claire Communications worked with various members of congress, senators, governors and republican parties during the 2004 election. Having worked on various political campaigns during his career, Greg has been featured on CNN, as well as "Campaigns and Elections Magazine." He has also been given the "Pollie Award" for his work with the NRCC. He has worked on political campaigns dating all the way back to 1988.
Aside from his work at Edelman, Greg speaks at campaign training seminars and assists with media workshops hosted across the country. In addition, he is a routine guest lecturer at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
Public Affairs Speaker: Abraham Amoros
Abraham "Abe" Amoros currently serves at the PA Legislative Director at the Laborers' International Union in Harrisburg, PA. Abe is a Penn State University Alumni who graduated with a degree in Journalism and obtained his masters in Governmental Administration. He is very active within the College of Communications on campus and regularly guest speaks and lectures.
At the age of 23, Amorós was the first Latino and youngest person elected to the York City Council. Prior to working for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Amorós served as Senior Deputy Press Secretary to Gov. Edward G. Rendell. He also served as the Director of Communications and Press for the Pennsylvania Department of State under the Hon. Pedro A. Cortés, the first Latino appointed to a cabinet-level post in the history of the commonwealth. Amorós was recently named as one of the 25 most influential York County residents by the York Daily Record. In addition, he served as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA) under three administrations. He is also the founder of the York City Little League program that serves more than 300 children and their families.
At the age of 23, Amorós was the first Latino and youngest person elected to the York City Council. Prior to working for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Amorós served as Senior Deputy Press Secretary to Gov. Edward G. Rendell. He also served as the Director of Communications and Press for the Pennsylvania Department of State under the Hon. Pedro A. Cortés, the first Latino appointed to a cabinet-level post in the history of the commonwealth. Amorós was recently named as one of the 25 most influential York County residents by the York Daily Record. In addition, he served as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA) under three administrations. He is also the founder of the York City Little League program that serves more than 300 children and their families.
Crisis Communications Speaker: Rob Boulware
Rob Boulware is a public affairs veteran with more than 25 years of experience, including 10 years in the oil and gas sector.
Mr. Boulware currently directs Seneca Resources’ communications and government relations activities – focusing on state and local policy issues, community outreach, media strategy and crisis communications. He also works with state agencies and nonprofit organizations to develop public-private partnerships to help foster creative community betterment projects.
Previous assignments include the Marcellus Shale Coalition, where he served as program director in 2011. He was the manager of issues and crisis communications for the global shipper FedEx from 2006 - 2010. From 1998 - 2005, Mr. Boulware managed the communications and community relations functions for Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Maryland - a utility company that served more than 450,000 customers.
In addition to his Seneca responsibilities, Mr. Boulware holds board and advisory positions with several organizations including: Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the Allegheny Trail Alliance, Penn State College of Communications Alumni Society Board and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.
Mr. Boulware currently directs Seneca Resources’ communications and government relations activities – focusing on state and local policy issues, community outreach, media strategy and crisis communications. He also works with state agencies and nonprofit organizations to develop public-private partnerships to help foster creative community betterment projects.
Previous assignments include the Marcellus Shale Coalition, where he served as program director in 2011. He was the manager of issues and crisis communications for the global shipper FedEx from 2006 - 2010. From 1998 - 2005, Mr. Boulware managed the communications and community relations functions for Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Maryland - a utility company that served more than 450,000 customers.
In addition to his Seneca responsibilities, Mr. Boulware holds board and advisory positions with several organizations including: Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the Allegheny Trail Alliance, Penn State College of Communications Alumni Society Board and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.
Crisis Communications Speaker: George Stark
Mr. George Stark is the Director of External Affairs at Cabot Oil and Gas in the greater Pittsburgh area. Since accepting his position in April of 2010, George is responsible for all the event coordination within the Cabot corporation in the Susquehanna, PA region. He also is responsible for all the public relations that takes place within the area as well.
Prior to working with Cabot Oil and Gas, George held numerous public policy, public relations and governmental affairs positions in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. George graduated from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania with a degree in Political Science. Some of George's specialties include strategic planning, media relations, lobbying and community involvement. Aside from his career at Cabot, George enjoys running half marathons and biking.
Prior to working with Cabot Oil and Gas, George held numerous public policy, public relations and governmental affairs positions in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. George graduated from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania with a degree in Political Science. Some of George's specialties include strategic planning, media relations, lobbying and community involvement. Aside from his career at Cabot, George enjoys running half marathons and biking.
Non-Profit Speaker: Keith Hejna
Keith is 2008 Penn State graduate with a B.A. in Public Relations and recipient of a Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Scholarship for Excellence in Public Relations.
Keith has worked for four years at Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that transforms children's lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. He joined Little Kids Rock in 2009 as an intern and steadily climbed the ranks, now managing the organization's communications, marketing, donor stewardship and branding. Keith also heads up Little Kids Rock’s media and artist relations efforts while implementing the communications plan to help spread the word that kids all over the country are rocking out!
He has freelanced for the Montclair Times, has run a successful public relations campaign for the Centre County, PA Special Olympics, has worked as an editorial assistant for Gotham Sports Media, LLC., and interned for Penn State Athletic Communications. He has covered press conferences of sports icons and has written and edited web content for Division I collegiate sports. Keith is an avid New York sports fan and plays harmonica and guitar in his free time.
Keith has worked for four years at Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that transforms children's lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. He joined Little Kids Rock in 2009 as an intern and steadily climbed the ranks, now managing the organization's communications, marketing, donor stewardship and branding. Keith also heads up Little Kids Rock’s media and artist relations efforts while implementing the communications plan to help spread the word that kids all over the country are rocking out!
He has freelanced for the Montclair Times, has run a successful public relations campaign for the Centre County, PA Special Olympics, has worked as an editorial assistant for Gotham Sports Media, LLC., and interned for Penn State Athletic Communications. He has covered press conferences of sports icons and has written and edited web content for Division I collegiate sports. Keith is an avid New York sports fan and plays harmonica and guitar in his free time.