Ashley Roth speaks on a panel on behalf of Louisiana fishermen. Photo Credit: salvophoto.com
Ashley Roth, 29, Communications Manager for Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board (LSPMB), is receiving national recognition for her advocacy work on behalf of Louisiana fishermen. Roth has been named one of PR News’ 15-to-Watch in PR for 2011.
“Ashley’s been in the heart of everything,” said LSPMB Executive Director Ewell Smith, who nominated Roth for the award. “We’re a small office, and Ashley steps outside of her job description to help the rest of her team. With her help, the LSPMB became the go-to organization during the BP oil spill crisis.”
Roth says her secrets to success are empathy and honesty.
“I think that honesty is something that the media appreciates,” explained Roth, “and makes us a reliable source of information.”
A native Gulf Coast resident, Roth is no stranger to disasters. After studying journalism with an emphasis on public relations at the University of Southern Mississippi, she began her career at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) during the historic hurricane season of 2005.
She joined the LSPMB in 2008 in hopes of a slower pace. That hasn’t happened yet.
“This award came at one of those moments of personal reflection,” shared Roth who acknowledges that the months of working in crisis mode have been both physically and emotionally draining.
But after being named PR News’ 15-to-Watch, the real rewards started to arrive and reinvigorate her — congratulatory e-mails and calls from the fishermen and processors she so diligently advocates on behalf of at state and national arenas.
Roth named one of PR News’ 15-to-Watch for 2011.
“It helped me feel that I’ve made a difference,” reflected Roth.
“Ashley is a go-getter,” said Wendy Waren, Vice President of Communications for the Louisiana Restaurant Associatio
n, who has worked closely with Roth for years. “She understands who she represents, what their challenges are, and is honest about conveying those problems.”
It helps that Roth truly believes in the cause, added Waren. “That’s just who she is.”
“Louisiana seafood is built on quality,” Roth explained, “quality that survived hurricanes, oil spills, and floods. Fishermen pride themselves on their products so it makes my job easier.”
Roth will be honored for her work at a luncheon on November 30th at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
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