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Member Spotlight: Virginia Singer, APR

Posted on Nov. 20, 2023  /  Home Page, Member News  /  Subscribe 0

This Member Spotlight profiles Virginia Singer, APR, who is board and executive services manager of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. She joined PRSA Tampa Bay in 2019 and currently serves as social media co-chair on the Digital Communications Committee.

 1. First news publication you read in the morning?
I haven’t been reading as much as I’d like, but I listen to NPR on WUSF 89.7 FM and 99.9 WXJB FM to stay current on what’s happening locally, nationally, and internationally. I also follow Paul Dellegatto on Fox 13 for weather news.

 2. First public relations job? 
As a senior in college at the University of South Florida, I got my first public relations job as a paid intern at a former Tampa Bay-area advertising agency specializing in the movie entertainment industry. My role was promotions and publicity for MGM movies such as Goldeneye, Get Shorty and Species. 

3. Most important career mentor?
My most important career mentor was a former manager named Beth Putnam, who taught me the value of taking 30 minutes every day to review my day’s accomplishments and to plan out tomorrow. Reviewing my day helps me reflect on what I did well, what I learned, and how I can improve, and it boosts self-awareness, confidence, and growth mindset. Planning out tomorrow helps me prioritize tasks that align with goals and allows me to schedule them in a realistic way, which helps reduce stress, procrastination, and decision fatigue.

4. Reason you decided to pursue an APR recently? 
I chose to pursue my public relations accreditation to validate my 20-plus years of experience and further define myself as a professional in the field. Achieving this certification and other associated learning opportunities will help me stay relevant in public relations. 

5. Most rewarding part of completing the APR program? 
The most rewarding part of completing the APR program was passing the written exam. In addition, as part of the program, I participated in study groups, and it was rewarding to meet colleagues with the same passion for public relations as I have.

 6. Best advice you ever received? 
Implementing a two-minute rule to start a new time-management habit that helps to stop procrastination. If a task takes less than two minutes, then do it now.

7. Job you would pursue if you weren’t in public relations? 
While not related at all, a path I would choose other than public relations is speech pathology. In college, I took sign language as my second language and learned about opportunities in the speech pathology field. 

8. Favorite movie? 
My all-time favorite movie that I can watch over and over is You’ve Got Mail, but, overall, anything with Tom Hanks has my heart. 

With my sons, Austin and Sammy.

9. Favorite vacation? 
My favorite vacation was a two-week summer tour of central Europe. Highlights included a tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, summer fests, and an Austrian excursion to Liechtenstein through the alpine landscape, with a few days in the very small village of Gschnitz.

Boating with my “grandpup,” Phoebe. 

10. Any three dinner guests? 
My most desired dinner guest is my 88-year-old mother, the matriarch of my very large family, and with whom my time is precious. I must go back to Tom Hanks for the second dinner guest, and a third choice would be Alain Ducasse, a top Michelin-rated chef specializing in French cuisine whose tips and tricks on perfecting sauces I would love. 

With my mom and sisters. 

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