MPISCC: How did you become involved with MPI and the Southern California chapter?
TS: I attended my first chapter meeting at the Disneyland Hotel in 1986. The first MPI member I met became a future good friend, Joe Diamond. Shortly after joining the MPISCC chapter, I volunteered for my first committee, the annual Trade Show, which was held that year at the Stouffer Hotel at LAX. On the committee were Chair Michelle Doroshow, Arlene Scheff, Tim McGill, Bill Doak and George Hutcheson. I learned so much and had such a great time that I became an active member of the chapter.
MPISCC: What is it about the organization and the chapter that has encouraged you to continue your membership?
TS: All of the great people, volunteers and staff who make it all happen. When I first joined, there were no computers or even fax machines. Running the events [was] different without current technologies. Speakers used overhead projectors and slide carousels. If we needed to get something quickly to the MPISCC office, we jumped on the 405 freeway to hand-deliver many packets.
MPISCC: What are your proudest moments or accomplishments?
TS: I am most grateful to MPISCC for the many volunteer involvements over the years.
Listed below are my chapter and international roles of service and honors:
1986 Chapter, Trade Show Committee Member
1987-1988 Chair, Trade Show Committee
1989 Intl, PEC Long Beach, Co-chair, chapter fundraising Carnival event
1989-1990 Chapter Board Member
1990-1991 Chapter VP of Education
1991 Chapter Planner of the Year Award
1991-1992 Chapter VP of Communication
1992 Chapter Manager of the Year Award
1992-1993 Chapter VP of Membership
1993-1994 Chapter President Elect
1994-1995 MPISCC President
1995 Chapter Manager of the Year Award
1995-1996 MPISCC Past President
1995-1996 Intl – Chair, Special Interest Group
1996-1997 Intl Education Committee Member
1997-1999 Intl – Chair, Education Committee
1999-2000 Intl – Chair Awards Committee
2000 – WEC in Philadelphia, Chairman’s Award Recipient from Chairman Bob Moore
2000-2001 Intl – Chair, Special Interest Groups
2001-2004 Intl Foundation Trustee
2017 – Present – Public Relations Society of America
2019 – PRism Award Recipient – Memorial Day Celebration - 2018
2020 – PRism Award Recipient – Dia de los Muertos Celebration - 2019
Ongoing industry service and education has included:
2012 – Present — Senior Adjunct Faculty, California Lutheran University, School of Communication “Event Planning & Management Program Faculty.” Over the past 10 years, more than 1,000 undergraduate students have taken the meeting and event management courses at CLU.
2017 – 2020 — Following my MPI volunteer years, I returned to school to earn two graduate degrees from Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. I have a Master of Science in hospitality and event management and a Master of Science in communication, public relations. This May 2021, I will begin studies for my third and final graduate degree in organizational leadership.
MPISCC: Why MPISCC? Please share fond memories with the chapter.
TS: Some of my best memories are of the special friends and mentors I’ve made over the years. Gary Rosenberg and Claudia Brett have always been mentor role models and special friends. I hold “with great respect" Jennifer Brown, Kim Cartaino, Steve Copeland, Jim Daggett, Joe Diamond, Tony DiRaimondo, Darlene Evans, Donna Garrett, Debbie Hawkins, Debra Karrenbrock, Charles Massey, Tim McGill, Haley Powers, Marc Reede, Marge Risinger and Gary Rosenberg,
MPISCC: What advice would you share with new members about getting the most out of their membership?
TS: To get the most out of your membership, one must become involved. Join a committee. Attend planning committee meetings and calls. Volunteer on a different committee each year. Learn everything you can about MPI. Once you have volunteered on several committees, consider joining the board as a director.
Thank you, Tom, for your continuous support and partnership and congrats on 35 years!