New PRSA East Central District Leaders to Advance Profession Across Six States
The Public Relations Society of America East Central District (PRSA-ECD) announced its 2026 Board of Directors, welcoming a dynamic group of communicators who will lead professional development, collaboration, and advocacy efforts across six states.
Delegates from the ECD’s 15 chapters, representing Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, confirmed the new slate through a written ballot process. The incoming board members begin their terms Jan. 1, 2026.
New Officers and Directors
Leading the 2026 Board will be an impressive roster of professionals representing both agency and corporate communications, representing industries ranging from higher education to public service.
Officers (one-year term):
- Chair-Elect (to serve as 2027 Board Chair): Kim Skeltis, APR, West Michigan Chapter – Founder and Principal, Blue Blaze Public Relations
- Treasurer: Alexa Welch, Bluegrass Chapter – Senior Manager of Customer Marketing, GE Appliances, Inc.
- Secretary: BJ Fischer, Northwest Ohio Chapter – President, Strategy by Fischer
Directors-at-Large (term ending Dec. 31, 2027):
- TaQuinda Cylar, MS, IMC, Detroit Chapter – Communications and Marketing Director, The Yunion
- Kerry Francis, APR, Central Ohio Chapter – Communications Officer, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
- Michele Hill, APR, Thoroughbred Chapter – Director of Communications and Marketing, Kentucky League of Cities
- Deeksha Kapoor, MS, MA, Hoosier Chapter – Enterprise Editorial and Channel Strategy Leader, Cummins Inc.
- Jamie Ward, Ph.D., Northwest Ohio Chapter – Assistant Professor of Public Relations, University of Toledo
These directors will join continuing board members:
- Mark Pompilio, Dayton Chapter – 2026 ECD Chair
- Mark Weinstein, MSOL, Dayton Chapter – Immediate Past Chair
- Alisa “Dr. Aggie” Agozzino, Ph.D., APR, Central Ohio Chapter – Director-at-Large (term ending Dec. 31, 2026)
- Christine DeJoy, Hoosier Chapter – Director-at-Large (term ending Dec. 31, 2026)
- Maribeth Farkas, Detroit Chapter – Director-at-Large (term ending Dec. 31, 2026)
Commitment to Excellence and Ethical Leadership
“Our newly elected board members embody the energy, expertise, and heart that define the East Central District,” said Jennifer L. Kramer, APR, chair of the 2025 PRSA ECD Nominating Committee. “Together, they’ll continue building a culture of collaboration and innovation that strengthens our chapters and elevates the practice of public relations across the region.”
Spotlight: Kim Skeltis, APR
Among those elected is Kim Skeltis, APR, who will serve as Chair-Elect and assume the role of Chair in 2027. Skeltis is owner and principal of Blue Blaze Public Relations, a Michigan-based boutique consultancy specializing in strategic communications, media relations, and destination marketing. With more than 25 years of experience, she partners with clients across travel & tourism, nonprofit and economic development sectors to strengthen reputation and drive measurable results.
Accredited in Public Relations, Skeltis has a long tenure with PRSA since becoming a member in 1996. In addition to her district leadership since 2023 (and as an officer since 2024), she served on the boards of the West Michigan chapter for six years and as 2021 president, the Detroit Chapter for eight years and as 2009 president, and the Central Michigan chapter board for a few years. She also chaired host committees for the PRSA International Conferencein 2012 in San Francisco and 2008 in Detroit, in addition to the Michigan PRSA 2002 State Conference in Detroit. She is a member of the PRSA Travel and Tourism Section, and she regularly mentors PRSSA students at Grand Valley State University.
