Category Member Spotlight

On a continuous basis, IABC Nashville spotlights one of its diverse members through a Q&A feature. We are pleased to showcase Gene Boulware, director of communications for The Vincit Group.

IABC: What is your background?

BOULWARE: Food & beverage marketing and corporate communications.

IABC: How did you get started in this business?

BOULWARE: In 1990 I graduated from college with a degree in linguistics. I soon landed a job with Marriott Management Services, who looked to liberal arts majors to staff management roles. In time, I was soon developing new food marketing programs, instructional collateral and manual guides.

I continued on the track of food marketing for 16 years. In 2006, my employer changed as did my position. I began to add more public relations and organizational communication duties to my marketing role. Then five years ago, my position transitioned to a singular focus on corporate communications and public relations.

IABC: What is your current position and business affiliation? How long have your been in this role?

BOULWARE: I am the Director of Communications for The Vincit Group, a vertically-integrated organization that is comprised of nine separate companies that primarily focuses on food processing companies. I will be celebrating my 10^th year in January 2016.

IABC: What makes your business/organization stand out?

BOULWARE: The Vincit Group is the only vertically-integrated products and services provider in the country that specializes in maximizing food processing efficiencies and food safety.

IABC: If you could describe yourself in three (3) words, what would it be?

BOULWARE: Determined, resilient and blessed.

IABC: Tell something about yourself people would be surprised to learn.

BOULWARE: I once lived on a 6 ½ square mile atoll in the south Pacific called Kwajalein for 3 years.

IABC: What lesson(s) have you learned along the way that you believe has made you a better communications professional?

BOULWARE: I have learned that print is unforgiving. I have also learned that great success comes to those with an open mind and patience.

IABC: What makes an effective communications leader?

BOULWARE: An effective communications leader must always understand that trust is at the heart of our profession. Without our publics’ trust, the ability to effectively execute our jobs is compromised. A strong understanding of the IABC Code of Ethics for Professional Communicators is an excellent place to start.

IABC: What do you feel is the greatest benefit of IABC?

BOULWARE: IABC Nashville offers an open environment where other communication professionals from across all disciplines can come together in a non-judgmental setting to learn from one another.

IABC: What prompted you to join IABC?

BOULWARE: It had to be the lunch meetings at Maggiano’s. Just kidding, I really joined IABC Nashville to expand my professional communications network and to expose myself to external perspectives. The food isn’t bad either.

 

 

 

 

On a continuous basis, IABC Nashville spotlights one of its diverse members through a Q&A feature. We are pleased to showcase Lynn Yates, Marketing Manager, Yates Construction.

 

 

IABC:         What is your background?

• YATES:     B.S. Media Management MTSU

• Voice-Over Professional (1992-Present)

• Professional Spokesperson for a variety of corporations (1999 – Present)

• Host of TriStar Health’s TV health commercial HealthBreak (1999-2012)

• Nearly 12 years in corporate communications at HCA/HealthTrust Purchasing Group (1997-2008

• Freelance writer and media consultant (2008-2012)

 

 

IABC:      How did you get started in this business?

YATES:     I grew up in a family of writers … for as long as I can remember, I have always loved to read and write. So, majoring in communications was a perfect discipline for me, a single mom who attended classes and worked a couple of jobs and an internship throughout my journey toward earning a degree … clearly, one of my proudest moments.

 

Following college, corporate communications was a natural fit; I was very fortunate to work for a company like HCA that allowed me to do all the things I did best and loved most as I honed my corporate skills. A few years after joining the company, I was asked by a former HCA marketing employee to audition for the spokesperson role for HealthBreak, the Company’s two minute health-related television commercial airing in about 30 markets at the time. From there, I sort of fell into additional voice-over work. My training ground for professional VO work was extremely grassroots … I was the kid who loved to read out loud in class, which gave me lots of opportunities to practice not having a southern accent. Having been born and raised in East Tennessee, I was determined to lose any hint of a Tennessee twang, though I am very proud of my southern heritage. I enjoyed voicing everything from radio commercials and call-in talk shows to corporate videos, television commercials and university talk shows. My current full time position doesn’t allow quite as much time for VO work although I still have a few corporate clients who call on my for various projects.

 

IABC:     What is your current position and business affiliation? How long have your been in this role?

YATES:     I made the decision to leave HCA in 2008 when both of my sons graduated college. If I was going to spread my freelance creative wings, that was the perfect time. I enjoyed writing, voice-overs, and occasional acting work in the local market until I realized in 2011 that I actually missed being part of a team. I joined Yates Construction in January 2012 as Marketing Manager … a position that has challenged my creative skills in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

 

IABC:     What makes your business/organization stand out?

YATES:     Yates Construction is a 50 year old family-owned and privately-held business headquartered in Philadelphia, Miss. The company is practically a household name along the Gulf Coast, yet relatively unknown in other areas such as Nashville. As Yates sought ways to enhance its name in healthcare construction, the company hired a team of seasoned healthcare veterans to open an office in Nashville, the mecca of corporate healthcare. I work with a fantastic group of professionals who offer me opportunities each day to color way outside the lines to define ways to promote our company along with our vast product and services offering.

 

IABC:     If you could describe yourself in three (3) words, what would it be?

YATES:     Resourceful, tenacious, loyal

 

IABC:     Tell something about yourself people would be surprised to learn.

YATES:     Though most people think of me as outgoing, I am actually fairly shy.

 

IABC:     What lesson(s) have your learned along the way that you believe has made you a better communications professional?

YATES:     Good communications professionals start with being great listeners.

 

IABC:     What makes an effective communications leader?

YATES:     An effective communications leader knows his/her audience, listens intently and reads between the lines. She draws from the collective strengths of those she leads, invites new ideas and innovative tools, and isn’t afraid to change what isn’t working or could be improved.

 

IABC:     What do you feel is the greatest benefit of IABC?

YATES:     IABC provides amazing resources and networking opportunities to communications professionals. The organization has been one of the most influential and empowering forces in my career development.

 

IABC:     What prompted you to join IABC?

YATES:     Several years ago, a friend who now lives in Seattle invited me to an IABC meeting. And the rest, you know.

 

 

On a continuous basis, IABC highlights one of its diverse members through a Q&A feature. We are pleased to showcase Genma Holmes, owner of Holmes Pest Control and CEO of GSH Media Group. Holmes has been an IABC member for more than a year.

IABC:            What is your background?

HOLMES:     I am an exterminator and radio producer.

 

IABC:            How did you get started in your business?

HOLMES:     I fell into both careers by accident. Not one was part of a planned decision…both were opportunities that I took a chance on.

 

IABC:            What is your current position and business affiliation? How long have your been in this role?

HOLMES:     I am the owner of Holmes Pest Control and CEO of GSH Media Group. I have been with HPC 23 years and GSH Media Group for 11 years.

 

IABC:            What makes your business/organization stand out?

HOLMES:     As a female in the pest control industry, it is still a big deal to owners and operators – – even after 20-plus years in the business. However, the fact that I wear a Santa suit several months out of the year keeps my competitors on their toes…year round (smile).

 

IABC:            If you could describe yourself in three (3) words, what would it be?

HOLMES:     Risktaker, visionary, determined.

 

IABC:            Tell something about yourself people would be surprised to learn.

HOLMES:     I LOVE classical music.

 

IABC:              What lesson(s) have you learned along the way that you believe has made you a better communications professional?

HOLMES:     I am willing to think outside-of-the-box. If you want to reach potential customers as well as listeners, you have to try new things. My goal is to mold them into not only becoming a customer/client, but a “raving fan” who will share my message with the masses.

 

IABC:            What makes an effective communications leader?

HOLMES:     You have to be willing to listen to what is being said and to be discerning of a message that may be unspoken. Oftentimes, the key is what someone is not sharing with you.

 

IABC:            What do you feel is the greatest benefit of IABC?

HOLMES:     The organization allows me to hear from key influencers who are willing to teach, and not just promote.

 

IABC:             What prompted you to join IABC?

HOLMES:      K. Dawn Rutledge… I initially contacted Dawn about IABC, and she encouraged me to look at the bigger picture. The bigger picture has always been a national client base or local trendsetters with substance who have national and international influence. She has shown me how, by her actions, to focus on building strong relationships with a few versus networking with the multitude. During my very first IABC meeting in January 2013, I left the meeting with six new customers. I was hooked at “Hello, I need your pest control service.”

 

 

On a continuous basis, IABC Nashville spotlights one of its diverse members through a Q&A feature. We are pleased to showcase Paul Ladd, senior correspondent for World Christian Broadcasting. Ladd has been an IABC member for 10 years, is a former president of the Nashville Chapter and currently serves on the IABC Southern Region board of directors.

IABC: What is your background? LADD: My hometown is West Chester, PA. I am a graduate of Lenoir Community College in NC and Middle Tennessee State University. My experience has included broadcast and print journalism, advertising and a stint as Communications Director for the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

IABC: How did you get started in this business? LADD: In the 7th grade, I wrote for the school newspaper. My first story was about fire drills and bomb threats. I started in broadcast news at LCC’s student-run station.

IABC: What is your current position and business affiliation? How long have your been in this role? LADD: Senior Correspondent for World Christian Broadcasting. I’ve been with WCB for 9 years.

IABC: What makes your business/organization stand out? LADD: We care about our audience and take the time to make sure we’re providing quality programming.

IABC: If you could describe yourself in three (3) words, what would it be? LADD: Intense. Inquisitive. Loyal.

IABC: Tell something about yourself people would be surprised to learn. LADD: I have gone to Pilates for 14 years.

IABC: What lesson(s) have you learned along the way that you believe has made you a better communications professional?
LADD: 1) My Dad often told me the three rules for a good presentation are “get up, speak up, and shut up.” 2) Jan Stinson, with whom I worked at Armour&Armour Advertising, showed me that it’s possible to keep it short and simple and still be creative. 3) Connie Eckard, an IABC Fellow, said that if you don’t think about who you’re writing for, you’re wasting your time because you won’t be communicating. He also said that we should always be students; in other words, continually learning. 4) Phil Bell, who was a TV news producer at the station where I interned. He told me to read my copy and ask myself if people really talk like that. If the answer is no, it still needs work.

IABC: What makes an effective communications leader? LADD: The ability to be clear and concise. Avoid jargon and babble. As I tell people, “Make it so simple even I can understand it, and you’ll be OK.”

IABC: What do you feel is the greatest benefit of IABC? LADD: Professional development is the greatest. Networking opportunities and the friendships are close behind.

IABC: What prompted you to join IABC? LADD: A non-member friend emailed me about a luncheon and suggested I check it out. I did and met Marty Nord, who introduced me to many of the members and recruited me for a committee. Almost instantly, I felt right at home and the rest is history.