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2012–2014 FPA Board of Directors
An election for the Florida Publishers Association, Inc. Board of Directors was held Saturday, October 9, 2010, during the welcome/business meeting as part of the FPA 2010 Publishing Ed-U-Conference: “Experience Speaks!” According to the current bylaws, one representative from each FPA member company in good standing, in attendance at the annual membership meeting, could vote for as many of the nominees as they felt were qualified. The bylaws also state that the number of Board members will always be an odd number; therefore, of the eight candidates on the ballot, the seven with the most votes were chosen to be on the board. Votes were verified by Lowell Teal, a Nominating Committee member, and the results were announced by Mistress of Ceremonies Betsy Lampe at the conclusion of the FPA 2010 President’s Book Awards Banquet. The new Board met after the awards banquet to select its Executive Committee.
Executive Committee
President
Chris is a publisher who has been in business for 4 years. He has previously been an FPA Board member and has served on the FPA board as president for the past two years. “As editor for a traditional publishing company and producer for self-publishing authors, I am familiar with many aspects of the book-making world. With the publishing game changing, I believe that it becomes increasingly important to pursue both well-trodden paths and to blaze new trails if we wish our industry to thrive. Florida is the fourth-largest U.S. State and has a large retirement population that still likes to read, as well as a large contingent of talented writers. As an FPA Board member, I would like to work on finding more ways to reach out to them and to share our experiences, expertise and new ideas with each other.” Chris Angermann can be reached at c.angermann@verizon.net.
VP of Finance
Kyle relocated from the northeast to Sanibel Island, FL in 1999. She retired from teaching and coaching to become an award winning author, publisher, and wildlife educator. In 2005, she founded Jungle House Publications and published her first wildlife storybook for children titled, DILLO — A Baby Armadillo’s Adventure on Sanibel Island. Having earned a MS degree in Physical Education from Ohio University and a MA degree in Counseling Psychology from Slippery Rock University, Kyle combines her love of wildlife with her educational background to produce and publish wildlife storybooks for children that entertain, educate, and impart life lessons. “After joining the Florida Publishers Association in 2006, I have participated in a number of annual FPA educational events and member promotions. The highlight was being awarded the 2010 Independent Book Publishers Association's Publishing University Scholarship, which afforded me the opportunity to attend the Publishing University and BookExpoAmerica in New York City. The educational events, networking and marketing opportunities FPA has offered have given me invaluable resources for the development of my own professional life and business. Being a board member not only helps maintain the success of my own business, but it also gives me the opportunity to help other publishers, authors, and aspiring professionals reach their goals.” Kyle Miller can be reached at JungleHousePub@Yahoo.com
Secretary
Ellen Wolfson Valladaresis an award-winning writer/author, workshop facilitator, community volunteer, and mother with nonprofit experience. A native Floridian, she grew up in St. Petersburg and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. She has worked as an editor for a community newspaper, a public relations professional, and a freelance writer. She self-published her first novel, Jonathan's Journey to Mount Miapu, in 2008. The book received several awards, including a Silver Award in the Florida Publishers Association President’s Book Awards, a Mom’s Choice Gold Award, and the 2009 Coalition of Visionary Resources Visionary Awards Book of the Year award. “When I decided to enter the world of publishing a few years ago, I was advised to join several organizations that could be helpful in navigating this new, often confusing territory. FPA was one of those and honestly I wasn't expecting much in return for my very affordable membership. I was pleasantly surprised, however, by the professionalism of the organization and the incredible amount of support and education that is offered. Last year, I attended my first Ed-U-conference in Sarasota and came away with an abundance of useful, practical information. In addition, I enjoyed the chance to interact with other authors and publishers. “I definitely have found FPA to be my most valuable publishing industry membership. I believe the reason for that is that the people behind the organization truly care about providing information and services that will help its members succeed. I also appreciate that even as a newbie to the organization I never felt intimidated, but rather found everyone approachable and willing to share information and knowledge. I have been involved in a number of non-profit organizations and for me, FPA is refreshing in those respects. “That is why I value the opportunity to serve alongside other industry professionals and contribute what I can to help FPA continue to grow and improve. While I am relatively new to the publishing business, having self-published my first children'’ novel two years ago, I have written professionally for many years and plan to write and publish additional books. I would hope to bring to the board the perspective of the author/self-publisher who has learned a lot, both good and bad, through my personal experiences thus far. And what better way for me to continue my learning process than to get more personally involved with FPA, the organization that is at the heart of Florida's publishing industry?” Ellen Wolfson Valladares can be reached at ellenwv@aol.com
VP of Communication
Born in Kentucky and a Florida resident since 1994, Mark Wayne Adams enjoys the rewards of publishing daily. Anyone who knows him, knows drawing is a huge part of his life. When asked if he illustrates for a living, he responds with an inspiring drawing lesson and recommends his Best Sketchbook to aspiring writers and artists. Recently, Mark was awarded medals for the 2010 IPPY Awards, the 2010 Eric Hoffer Awards, and 2009 Moonbeam Award as Best Illustrator for his contributions to Nicholas, That’s Ridiculous by Ms. Christa Carpenter. Also received were medals in the 2010 & 2011 Ben Franklin Awards, 2010 & 2011 Indie Excellence Awards, and the 2010 & 2011 Mom’s Choice Awards for his contribution to The Belly Button Fairy and The Fart Fairy by Mrs. Bobbie Hinman, Best Fairy Books. “Have you ever wanted to change an ordinary day into an extraordinary story? Then we are similar in our publishing goals. “I am not a Florida native, however I have resided in this state for over fourteen years. My work experience ranges from the Lead for the SeaWorld Orlando Theming Department, to an Art Director for an Architectural Sign Company, and even Store Manager for Sprint Print Commercial Printing. All positions required project management, employee/customer relations skills, and leadership. “My publishing journey began much differently from traditional publishers. I moved to Clermont, Florida in 1994 as an Illustrator following an animation dream. In 1996 I was approached by Lifestyles Press, Tavares, FL, to illustrate a paperback book, The Magical Forest. This book did not win any awards. Nor did it sell out in book stores. This book did ignite the flame that would grow into my publishing career. “Since that first small book, my contributions to children's books have been recognized through multiple awards. "During the past two years I’ve illustrated over twelve traditional hard bound children’s books and published five. These numbers do not reflect e-books published as well. The printed book is only a part of a publishers commitment. Marketing, seminars, public speaking, and author development are key to our success as well. I participate regularly in regional and national book events like Book Expo America, New York. Travel also extends to speaking engagements in elementary schools and professional organizations throughout the southeast. “As a board member, I bring professional work experience, award-winning recognition, and a voice that reaches not only members but the youth of Florida.” Mark Wayne Adams can be reached at markwayneadams@mac.com. VP of Events & Professional Development
Bob Lucas is an internationally-known author and learning and performance expert who specializes in workplace performance-based training and consulting services. He has four decades of experience in human resources development, management and customer service in a variety of organizational environments and provides consulting and training services to numerous major organizations on a variety of workplace learning topics including, customer service, presentation skills, creative training and management program development, train-the-trainer, interpersonal communication, adult learning, diversity, team building, and employee and organizational development. He has written and contributed to thirty-one books and compilations, two training video leaders’ guides, seventy training programs and hundreds of articles on various workplace topics. Bob has lived, traveled and worked in twenty-one different countries and geographic areas, is listed in the Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the South & Southeast and has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement, a Master of Arts degree with a focus in Human Resources Development and a second M.A. degree in Management and Leadership. Further, Bob was one of the first people in the world to attain the ASTD designation of Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) in 2006. “I have been a member of FPA for a number of years and have seen what the organization does. I am impressed by its mission and the efforts of the current board to provide a vehicle through which small publishers, authors and others involved in the publishing and writing process can share camaraderie and network while having access to professional development events. Because of my training, background and education, I believe that I can positively contribute to the success of the organization and help further its growth and development in a variety of areas.” —Bob VP of Member Services
“I have been actively editing for authors during these last two years, but I have been editing in the business world through administrative jobs for over 25. Most recently 2010-2011, I worked for Gay Finkelman of Genie Publishing who brought me to my first FPA Fall Edu-Conference last year. I have had the pleasure of editing just about all of Brandon Royal’s books as well as Rik Feeney’s Writing for Fun, Fame and Fortune.
FPA has been the best kept secret, but it’s time to let this cat out of the bag. Through my affiliation with Genie Publishing – Exquisitely Publishing Your Lifestory, I know that just about everyone has a story to tell, and that most of them have a strong desire to publish it. I have attended a variety of area writing groups filled with enthusiastic, hopeful, yet lost authors who crave the type of knowledge that attending FPA’s conferences and networking with its members can provide. I want to help lift Florida Publishers Association to the status of the premier organization to affiliate with for all budding authors.” —Misty VP of Marketing
Jane R. Wood is the author of four juvenile fiction books, owns her own publishing company, and is co-owner of Get Book Savvy, a consulting company that helps current and aspiring authors simplify the process of publishing and marketing their books. Wood published her first book, Voices in St. Augustine, in 2004, and started her own publishing company, Florida Kids Press, in 2007. Since then she has written three additional books, including Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess and Buried Treasure (2008 Benjamin Franklin Award); Trouble on the St. Johns River; and Ghosts on the Coast: A Visit to Savannah and the Low Country. All of her books have received the Mom’s Choice Award®, a national award given for “quality family-friendly” products. Wood uses her experiences as a former classroom teacher, a newspaper reporter and television producer as inspiration for her books. “I try to capture kids’ imaginations with mystery, adventure, and humor, and at the same time, place my characters in settings and situations that expose young readers to the history and the environment of that area.” Because her books are compatible with many schools’ curricula, she is invited to speak at schools across the country. Wood was born in Oregon, but moved to Florida when she was ten. Growing up near Cape Canaveral, she watched America’s journeys into space first-hand and spent two college summers working at the Kennedy Space Center. She received a B.A. from the University of Florida and an M.Ed from the University of North Florida. Mrs. Wood is the mother of two grown sons, one granddaughter, and lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband Terry.
Jane Wood can be reached at jane@janewoodbooks.com and jane@getbooksavvy.com |
Chris Angermann (
Kyle Miller (
Ellen Wolfson Valladares (
Mark Wayne Adams (
Bob Lucas (Robert W. Lucas Enterprises, Inc., Casselberry, FL)
Misty Powell (Part-time Editor, Bartow, FL )
Jane Wood (Author, Educator, Consultant, Jacksonville, FL )