Melissa Arocha, ’06, is the managing partner and co-founder of Silhouette Group, an award winning event planning, design and lifestyle marketing company based in New York City. At the 2013 International Special Events Society (ISES) Big Apple Awards, the group’s events received eight nominations over six categories, and won the Best Social Event and Best Event Design awards. Arocha graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. To learn more, click HERE.

Keisha Bell, ’96, has been appointed to the Pinellas County Health Facilities Authority. Also, attorney Bell has been appointed to serve a three-year term to the Legal Needs of Children Committee – a committee of the Florida Bar. Bell graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Luiz Bravim, ’05, was recently appointed director of studies at the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language School, one of the most prestigious boarding schools in China. He will oversee a faculty of over 100 along with 3,000 students. Prior to this, he managed a language institute in South Korea. Bravim graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Trent Flood, ’99, has started his own business, Berringer Communications, LLC and will serve as an independent public relations consultant focused on the cyber security, technology, economic development, and counterintelligence sectors. He graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in advertising-public relations. To learn more, click HERE.

Tammy Geerling, ’04, has received Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women’s prestigious Young Alumna Achievement Award. Geerling was a Pi Phi leader during her undergraduate years at the University of Central Florida and continues to serve the Fraternity as president of the Greater Orlando Area Alumnae Club. She graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Chris Gent, ’87, will serve as the 2013-14 state president for the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Gent graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Jamie Gregor, ’13, has joined Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons in the Sales and Travel Operations department as the marketing and social media strategy professional intern for its 6-12 month post-grad position. Gregor will serve on the Nicholson School of Communication Alumni Chapter as events chair for the 2013-14 year. She graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in advertising-public relations and a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Laura Kern, ’06, has launched a new career as an independent social media & communications consultant.  She is also the recipient of the 2013 Bob Davis Award, which was given for service to the FPRA-Orlando Area Chapter. She graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in advertising-public relations. To learn more, click HERE.

Leah Nash, ’01, chief innovator and owner of Trust Source Consulting, LLC, is the new Work Well Winter Park program manager. Nash will manage the workplace wellness program’s implementation, policy development, impact, and other program initiatives such as the monthly Health Education Series. Nash graduated from UCF with a master’s degree in communication.  To learn more, click HERE.

Cynthia Lambert, ’05, will serve as the 2013-14 president of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Orlando Area Chapter. She is also the recipient of the 2012-13 Doris Fleischman Unsung Heroes Award, which was given for service to FPRA. Lambert graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in advertising-public relations.

Kerry Martin, ’07, is the recipient of the Rising Leader Class of 2013 Award, which was given for service to the Florida Public Relations Association. Martin graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in advertising-public relations.

Paul Perreault, ’80, has assumed the role of chief executive officer and managing director of CSL Limited, a leading global specialty biotherapeutics company that delivers innovative, lifesaving and life-enhancing therapies to meet the critical needs of people with rate and serious diseases. The company is headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, with significant operations in the United States and around the world. Perreault graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. (not pictured)

Robert Persan, ’86, has accepted a position as account executive with national telecommunications provider, TW Telecom. He will be responsible for consulting local and national businesses in the areas of network management, access, security, cloud technology service and business continuity. Persan graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. (not pictured)

Roger Pynn, ’73, is slated to be voted in as the state’s counselors’ network chair for the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Pynn is also the recipient of the Past President’s Award, which was given for service to FPRA. Pynn graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Kristen Quinones, ’13, has joined the team at the Orlando Downtown Development Board and will serve as the agency’s social media specialist. Quinones will also serve on the Nicholson School of Communication Alumni Chapter as hospitality chair for the 2013-14 year. She graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in advertising-public relations. (not pictured)

Brian Rodgers, ’08, is the assistant state attorney in the Gainesville office of the State Attorney’s Office for the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida. He graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science. (not pictured)

 Jose R. Rodriguez, ’74, has received the St. Thomas More Award, which is presented to a member of the legal profession whose accomplishments in some way represent the principles and ideals of St. Thomas More. Rodriguez serves as the Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge of Orange County, Fla., and is on the Nicholson School of Communications Board of Visitors. He graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in communications. To read more, click HERE.

Eric Ruby, ’00, has been appointed as the new branch manager for USF Federal Credit Union (USF FCU) out of its Brandon office. As branch manager, Ruby will be responsible for branch operations, business development, in-branch training and scheduling, and analyzing and evaluating policies and procedures. Ruby graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication. (not pictured)

Asher Wildman, ’06, has been promoted to sports director of the ABC affiliate KVIA ABC-7 in El Paso, Texas anchoring the sports desk Monday-Friday, and reporting from UTEP and NMSU games live. He graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in radio-television.