Lauri Strauss/Atlanta Press Club
Executive Director
Lauri Strauss is the executive director of the Atlanta Press Club. APC is one of the largest and most dynamic professional journalism associations in the country. The membership encompasses Atlanta’s media community, including print, broadcast and online, large and small, national and local media outlets. More than half the Club’s nearly 600 members are working journalists, the balance consist of public relations professionals, educators, retirees and students. The APC’s mission is to serve the professional and social needs of Atlanta’s journalism community, foster journalistic excellence and advance the public’s interest in and understanding of a free press. The Atlanta Press Club is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2014.
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Adam Ragusea/Mercer University
Visiting Assistant Professor at the Center for Collaborative Journalism
Adam Ragusea is Journalist in Residence and Visiting Assistant Professor of Journalism at Mercer University’s Center for Collaborative Journalism, which unites a commercial newspaper, a public broadcaster, and an undergraduate journalism program in a “teaching hospital” model of journalism education and practice. Ragusea is often heard reporting stories for public radio shows, including NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, NPR/WBUR’s Here & Now, APM’s Marketplace, and PRI/ WNYC’s The Takeaway. He also writes reported commentaries for the public media trade publication Current, and contributes local reports to Georgia Public Broadcasting and The Telegraph newspaper of Macon, Georgia. At Mercer, Ragusea teaches introductory and advanced journalism and media production classes. Previously, he served as Macon Bureau Chief for Georgia Public Broadcasting (2012-2014), Associate Producer / Reporter / Host at WBUR in Boston (2008-2012), and Announcer / Reporter / Interim News Director at WFIU in Bloomington, Indiana (2005- 2008). Prior to his career in journalism, Ragusea studied music composition at The Eastman School of Music, Penn State, and Indiana University. His chamber work “Jiahu” won Columbia University’s Joseph H. Bearns Prize in Music in 2004. Much of the music Ragusea uses in his radio productions is original, and he continues to create and post music in various forms at soundcloud.com/aragusea. Ragusea lives with his wife, YA author Lauren Morrill, their baby son (on the way) and dog Lucy in the historic Vineville neighborhood of Macon, Georgia.
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Joanne Hayes/Simply Buckhead
Publisher and Founder
Simply Buckhead, the definitive resource for Atlanta’s most dynamic in-town neighborhood. With a commitment to journalistic excellence, the magazine serves as the authority on who to know, what to do and where to go in Buckhead and the surrounding communities. Focusing on the neighborhood’s best and brightest, especially those typically ignored by other media outlets. Published 8 times a year, 24,000 copies in over 250 locations, also available online. Proud Member of: Buckhead Business Association, World Trade Center Atlanta, Buckhead Heritage Society, Atlanta Hawks Sponsors of: CURE Childhood Cancer and Share Our Strength
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Lisa Senters-McDermott/Jet Senters Aviation
CEO/ Founder
Private aviation executive and veteran Lisa Senters-McDermott has founded Jet Senters Aviation (JSA), a private charter brokerage company dedicated to safety, impeccable service and cost efficiency. Created from listening to clients’ feedback from years in the aviation industry, Senters-McDermott is offering a new brand of full-service global private aviation. “I’m thrilled to be able to utilize my 18 years of private flight experience to benefit Jet Senters Aviation clients,” says Senters-McDermott, “our vast network, resources, relationships and industry insight will provide our customers with total efficiency, zero hassle or hidden fees and limitless possibilities.” Jet Senters Aviation has access to approximately 4,000 jets worldwide to secure the safest, most cost-efficient and luxurious flights in as little as four hours notice. Brokering Wyvem and Arugus-approved aircraft, the globally-recognized gold standard of aviation safety, JSA has no membership fees, fuel surcharges, acquisition costs, blackout dates or monthly maintenance charges. Founder of a charter brokerage company in 2001 and Marquis Jet/Net Jets executive from 2003-2011, Senters-McDermott is known as the go-to resource in private aviation. She believes in the personal service side of flying and can accommodate flights for individuals or more than 300 passengers. Senters-McDermott is a trusted advisor to all of her clients and JSA is a referral only business. WIth over 100 clients she advises each client large or small through the process of buying a plane, purchasing a share or simply booking a trip. Senters-McDermott has spoken throughout the country on aviation and entrepreneurship and is known as one of the country’s top experts. For more information, go to www.FLYJSA.com or call TOLL FREE 1-855-2-FLYJSA
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Christian Ross/Keller Williams
Realtor, 2014 President Women’s Council of Realtors’ Atlanta
Christian Ross is the 2014 President of Women’s Council of Realtors’ Atlanta – a network of successful Realtors dedicated to advancing women as professionals and leaders in business, the industry and the communities they serve. She is the youngest president in the chapter’s 54 year history and sits on the Board of Directors at the Atlanta Board of Realtors. Specializing in intown Atlanta real estate and global property ownership, her client base includes Atlantans as well as people across the globe investing in Atlanta and purchasing abroad. Christian has been featured on HGTV’s House Hunters, was recently featured on the cover of Atlanta-based Simply Buckhead magazine (current issue) in the Bold Women feature and has provided her real estate expertise for many media outlets including The Atlanta Journal Constitution and Realtor.com
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Molly Darby/Bert’s Big Adventure
Executive Director
Molly Darby, Bert’s Big Adventure- Executive Director While pursuing a career in public relations and after a first job as PR coordinator for Habitat for Humanity International, Molly Darby was introduced to Bert’s Big Adventure. “Once I saw the opportunities that Bert’s Big Adventure was giving these families and the happiness the organization brought to their lives, I knew that getting more involved was the only way I could feel fulfilled,” she says. Now, after serving in many roles with the organization over 8 years, at only 31 years old, she was recently named Executive Director. On any given day, Darby is working her magic to provide underprivileged and terminally ill children and their families support through programs, like the Fairy Godparent Program, where every Bert’s Big Adventure child who is in a hospital gets a visit by a volunteer every single day. Those who know Darby know her not only for her kindness and philanthropy, but also for her great sense of humor, a trait that makes her beloved by Bert’s Big Adventure families. Case in point: She named her Goldendoodles Peter Frampton and Tina Turner.
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