At the conclusion of the Presidents’ Luncheon, FPRA Immediate Past President Melanie Mowry Etters, APR, CPRC administered the oath of office to incoming President Chris Gent, APR, CPRC.
Chris is vice president of corporate communications for Kissimmee Utility Authority where he holds responsibility for the utility’s internal and external corporate communications, including marketing and advertising, media and public relations, employee communications, special events and corporate philanthropy.
An FPRA member since 1994, Chris has served nine years on the FPRA State Board of Directors, including seven years on the FPRA Executive Committee as Vice President of Golden Image (2004), Vice President of Public Relations (2005), Vice President of Communications (2006), Vice President of Planning and Research (2008), Vice President of Technology, Communications and Public Relations (2009), Vice President of Technology (2010) and President-Elect (2012).
He is a past president of FPRA’s Orlando Area Chapter and received the association’s Doris Fleischman Award in 2001 and Member of the Year in 2011. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Central Florida and master’s degree in strategic public relations from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, where he graduated valedictorian in 2011.
Chris’ installation was immediately followed by an acceptance speech where he introduced his theme for the coming year: Think FPRA. Click here to read the content of the speech.
