Elected Positions

The Austin Chapter of PRSA is a dynamic group of public relations professionals dedicated to the advancement of the profession of communications. Located in the heart of Texas, our members are as diverse and interesting as the city in which they work. Whether they are employed in technology, government, corporate, agency, not-for-profit or other industries, PRSA Austin Chapter provides access to helpful resources for seasoned executives, mid-career managers and those who are new to the profession. Our members benefit from a wealth of educational information, professional services and networking opportunities locally, regionally and nationally. In addition, the chapter offers programs to help seasoned practitioners become prepared to receive the APR – Accredited in Public Relations – designation.

President:

Kellin Puello

Kellin has worked as a journalist, professor, and communications professional in the education and energy fields in her native Colombia. Her path has led her to coordinate and develop communication strategies for internal audiences and support external strategies for different publics in the most significant oil and gas project in her country, an experience that motivated her to come to Texas to sharpen her communications and PR skills.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Communications from Universidad de Cartagena and a Master of Arts in public relations from the University of Houston. Prior to joining the Austin chapter of PRSA, she served as the Public Relations Director at the International Student Organization at the University of Houston.

President Elect:

Debra Price

Debra Muller Price is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Public Relations and serves as PR Program Coordinator in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Price is a skilled communications professional who brings decades of experience in journalism and public relations into the classroom. She specializes in teaching a variety of public relations courses at Texas State University, including beginning and advanced writing, campaigns, case studies, and crisis communication.

She earned a bachelor of journalism degree from The University of Texas, where she served as managing editor of The Daily Texan. Price launched her professional career in New York City, working as an intern for Esquire magazine and as a magazine editor at three global publishing companies – Hearst Magazines, Meredith Corporation, and Gruner + Jahr.

Over the years, Price developed expertise in interior design, arts, antiques and travel, leading to a freelance career writing for national and regional publications. Her work has appeared in Country Living, Coastal Living, Art & Antiques, Veranda, Traditional Home, Forbes FYI, The Boston Globe, and the Charlotte Observer. She is the author of two books, "Garden Decorating" and "Christmas With Country Living

Past President:

Angela Navarro

Angela is the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Downtown Alliance. She is experienced in public relations, marketing, and digital design professional with a history of writing, event planning, graphic design, website administration and volunteer management. She started her own marketing and graphic design consulting business, Olympia Creative Marketing, Co. which aims provide specific development opportunities for small and start up businesses. Angela previously served as the DEI Chair as well for PRSA Austin.

Treasurer/Secretary:

Amelia Folkes, MPS, APR  [LinkedIn]

Amelia is Director of Public Relations at Raise Your Hand Texas. She oversees communication campaigns that support Raise Your Hand Texas’ statewide regional advocacy director team and the mission to advance the reputation of strategic priorities across policy, advocacy, and legislative engagement.

Prior to joining Raise Your Hand, she worked in technology PR supporting large multinational firms in their thought leadership communications. She also worked at State Farm for 11 years in community relations and brand strategy where she managed Texas-based grant programs positively impacting students, schools, and education-based nonprofits across the state of Texas. Her work includes winning several awards including a Silver Anvil for a financial literacy program geared to underserved Hispanic families hit hard by the housing crisis. She also spent time at the internationally recognized PR firm, Fleishman-Hillard, working with clients such as the Department of Homeland Security, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Office of National Drug Control Policy, AT&T, and others.

Folkes is fluent in Spanish and has extensive experience researching issues dealing with access to education for underserved communities and working with multicultural audiences. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Latin American Studies from Texas A&M University and a Master’s of Professional Studies in Strategy Public Relations from George Washington University. She received her professional Accreditation in Public Relations in 2016 and is active on the Austin PRSA Chapter and Hispanic Public Relations Association.

Director-at-Large Marketing & Communications:

Directors-at-Large Assembly Delegate:

Larry Springer, APR

Larry served in various public relations leadership roles within the energy and chemical industries, including Enbridge, Conoco, DuPont and the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association. 

He has served as chairman of the Public Awareness Group for the American Petroleum Institute (API), communications lead for the Emergency Response Team of API and the Association of Oil Pipelines and as chair of the Environmental Justice Committee of the American Chemistry Council. Previously, he worked for almost 10 years as a member of the news media in Austin, Texas, and has advised student newsrooms at Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin.

A longtime accredited member of the Public Relations Society of American (PRSA), Larry is a past president of the Austin Chapter of PRSA, a founding member of the Montana PRSA chapter and a former PRSA national assembly delegate for the Austin, Montana and Houston PRSA chapters. Larry also is a past president of the Texas Public Relations Association (TPRA) and a past chairman of the Public Relations Foundation of Texas.

Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, APR

Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, APR joined Raise Your Hand in 2021 after working for more than 25 years in Central Texas as a public relations and marketing executive. She leads communications, advancing the mission and reputation of the organization’s strategic priorities across policy, advocacy, and legislative engagement.

Prior to Raise Your Hand, Tiedt honed her award-winning communications skills as co-owner of a boutique public relations and marketing firm, creating savvy, measurable marketing communication campaigns that helped organizations better themselves, their businesses, or their missions. She has also worked on staff at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Austin Symphony Orchestra; led a team at a Texas-based PR Firm; and owned a PR consultancy.

Tiedt enjoys serving her community and has previously volunteered with the American Heart Association, Girl Scouts, Girls Empowerment Network, Austin ISD schools, and other professional organizations. She also served as President of Women Communicators of Austin in 2008-09. She currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Business Affairs for the Women’s Symphony League and Marketing Chair for the organization’s signature fundraising event.

Tiedt holds a Bachelor of Journalism in Public Relations and Business Foundations Certification from The University of Texas at Austin. She has held her Accreditation in Public Relations since 2003, is a graduate of Leadership Texas 2010, and earned her PESO Model Communications Certification from Syracuse University in 2020.

Directors-at-Large - Membership:

Paul Villagran, APR

Paul Villagran is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University.  Prior to coming to Texas State University, he has more than 20 years of experience as an Air Force Public Affairs officer.  In addition to teaching in the Public Relations sequence, he researches and studies the impact of digital and social media on the PR practice as well as Crisis Communication in PR.

In 2019 he was recognized with the Texas State University Presidential Distinction Award for Service as well as a College Achievement Award for Service and in 2017 he was recognized by the Alpha Chi National Honor Society as a “favorite professor.”

He is a two-time PRSA Silver Anvil winner including the “Best-of-the-Best” in 2010.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Villagran is the faculty advisor for Texas State University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.  As the faculty advisor, he guided students in their bid and selection to host the 2018 PRSSA National Conference and a 2017 PRSSA regional conference.  The National hosted more than 1,200 students from across the U.S.  The Texas State PRSSA chapter has been recognized as a Star Chapter the past four years and three Texas State PR students were selected as Gold Key Award recipients as the top PR students in the nation under his leadership.

Prior to coming to Texas State University, Villagran was the Deputy Director for the United States Air Force Public Affairs Agency.  In addition to having oversight of the Air Force’s premiere combat camera photographers and videographers and two Department of Defense award-winning multi-media production centers, he also had management responsibilities of the Air Force’s social media programs, which currently have more than three million followers. 

In previous assignments, Villagran was the Director of Air Force Special Operations Public Affairs, worked for the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff in Washington DC, worked on the Air Force’s Press desk in the Pentagon and managed the Department of Defense’s televisions and radio broadcast network in the Republic of Korea.  As a Public Affairs officer he has worked with national and international media including The New York Times, the Washington Post, NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox, NPR, BBC and Al Jazeera.  He retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. 

His previous teaching experience includes courses in Communication Theory and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma.  He has also been published in the top peer-reviewed communication academic journal of the National Communication Association.  

Villagran has a M.A. in Communication from the University of Oklahoma and a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Oregon.  He also has a M.S. in Military Operational Art and Sciences from the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College.  

Board Chair - APR:

Grace Capwell, APR

Board Chair - ProAm Day:

Michelle Hargis

Michelle Hargis is a vice president and account manager with Cooksey Communications, a full-service strategic communications and public affairs agency. As the lead in the Cooksey Austin office, Michelle’s role with the firm has evolved over the past decade to include many strategic communications functions. Well-versed in civic and professional services PR, Michelle works on many accounts involving economic development, public-private sector partnerships, real estate, architecture, engineering and construction, public affairs and financial services.

In her earlier years with Cooksey, Michelle focused on developing PR plans for the firm’s professional services companies. Most recently, she leverages her media expertise to achieve substantial print, broadcast and digital placements for Cooksey’s clients.

With more than 20 years in the communications profession, Michelle has also worked with hospitality, retail/consumer, pharmaceutical and technology clients on media outreach, brand awareness, public affairs and thought leadership strategies. 

Board Chairs - Student Liaisons:

Nancy Salisbury (St. Edward's University)

Sam Heimbach (Texas State University)