Violet PR Doubles in Size With Five New Hires

We are thrilled to announce that Violet PR has hired five new employees: Senior Copywriter Georgette Gilmore, Assistant Account Executive Luke Gavronski, and Account Coordinators Claudia Velasquez, Joelle DeCaro and Rachel Lessig.

These new team members will serve our firm’s growing roster of economic development, professional services and social good clients.

“Violet PR has been on an impressive growth path since 2021, and these new hires are critical to helping us serve our new and existing clients,” said April Mason, president of Violet PR. “I’m particularly excited to welcome Georgette Gilmore, as she has 15 years of experience as a journalist, social media manager and creative writer – plus a wealth of connections here in Montclair.”

Prior to joining Violet PR, Georgette served as the social media manager and creative writer at the Montclair Art Museum, where she grew the museum’s Instagram presence to more than 12,000 followers. She also served as daily editor at Baristanet — a hyperlocal website focused on news, arts, culture and lifestyle for Montclair, N.J., and surrounding communities. Georgette holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from Montclair State University, where she graduated with honors.

Georgette is thrilled to be joining the dynamic team at Violet PR and says, “As one of the top boutique PR firms in New Jersey, VPR displays a commitment to helping clients make a positive impact on the world. I look forward to supporting their continued success in my new role as senior copywriter.”

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Luke Gavronski is a skilled communicator with expertise in writing, media relations and digital marketing. He previously served as account coordinator at Conway PR & Marketing, where he gained valuable experience in social media content creation and management for clients, including Malaysia, Santa Clarita Valley, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Claudia Velasquez holds an M.A. in Public and Organizational Relations and a B.A. in Communication and Media Arts from Montclair State University. Her extensive internship experience includes work for 5W PR’s media relations team, as well as stints at major media companies Sony Music Entertainment and iHeartMedia.

A recent graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Joelle DeCaro is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communication. She is a former communication and development intern for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Union County, where she gained valuable media relations skills. Additional internship experience includes social media management at DeCaro and Sons, a family-owned HVAC company, and Card My Yard-Florham Park. She is expected to graduate with high honors in December 2022.

Rachel Lessig joins Violet PR full-time after interning with our firm for the past six months. She has supported on media relations and social media campaigns for various clients, including the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs and Carbon Valley, Wyoming. She graduated from Monmouth University with a B.A. in Political Science and B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and Journalism. At Monmouth, she was vice president of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), a student-run PR firm, where she helped non-profit organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters implement PR strategies. Lessig was awarded the “Future PR Pro Award” in her senior year.
luke gavronski, claudia velasquez, joelle decaro, and rachel lessig
The VPR team serves economic development, professional services and nonprofit clients throughout New Jersey. Nationally, the firm manages media relations and social media campaigns for the states of New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Georgia, and the regions of Kansas City, Kansas, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Buffalo, New York and more.

Q+A with Bob Ross, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications of Greater Topeka Partnership

Tell us about the Greater Topeka Partnership and the work you do.

The Greater Topeka Partnership was formed in 2017 to bring together complementary organizations — Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Topeka, GO Topeka and Downtown Topeka. They had a shared belief that more common goals could be met through unified efforts and combining resources. We realized we needed to work together to advocate for the city in one voice.
I was born and raised in Topeka. I spent most of my early career working for Payless ShoeSource’s headquarters in Topeka before moving to Houston for an opportunity at Academy Sports and Outdoors. I moved back home in 2019. My job as senior vice president of marketing and communications is to be a pied piper for the community! I get to share all the amazing things we’re attempting to do here in the capital city with the community, the state and the country.

Topeka will host its first-ever statewide Pride celebration and parade this September. Tell us more about this historic celebration.

Visit Topeka and Downtown Topeka are proud to be sponsors of the Pride Kansas event, which will be the first in the state. I love that we are highlighting and raising awareness for our LGBTQ+ community. People may have a misconception of what it’s like living in Kansas, or more specifically Topeka. This event is an excellent opportunity to share that this city has had a history of being a progressive and inclusive place from our founding. People may be biased about the midwest, but there’s a bias toward kindness in Topeka! In fact, the Human Rights Campaign gave Topeka a 93 out of 100 for LGBTQ+ equality. This community is proud to be an open and welcoming place. We want LGBTQ+ people to know they are welcomed with open arms in Topeka.

The Pride event is uniquely midwestern pride. The week-long celebration will include events at local venues like North Topeka Arts and Entertainment (NOTO) District Studio 62, an eclectic art bar that hosts weekly drag shows and Equality House, one of Topeka’s best-known monuments of Pride, where visitors can sign the outside and take pictures in front of the home’s rainbow backdrop. The celebration ends with a Pride Parade, kicked off by speeches from officials at the Statehouse — then a Promenade to Evergy Plaza for live music, food trucks, a beer garden and more. Finally, that evening will conclude with drag performances at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.

In addition to supporting its LGBTQ+ community, Topeka celebrates its growing immigrant population, diversity, and rich civil rights and African American history. Tell us more about Topeka being an inclusive, accepting city.

Topeka is a city that was founded by abolitionists, formerly enslaved people and Mexican immigrants who came to work on the railroad. In addition to its historical significance in the fight for equality in this country, Topeka has preserved its African American heritage by continuing to tell its community story of adversity and resilience. The city’s strong Hispanic heritage is prevalent throughout Topeka, from art murals to the midwest’s best Mexican food! Topeka honors and celebrates our diverse community with cultural festivals, like Fiesta Mexicana, an annual celebration happening in Topeka for 85-plus years, and India Fest. The community recently welcomed Ukrainian refugee families to our city. This city has always attracted and welcomed new people. There’s an open-door policy here.

How did working with Violet PR help highlight all that the capital has to offer?

people posed in front of a mural in topeka, kansasI’m a big fan of the team at Violet PR! Working with a boutique firm gives a more personal engagement. Violet PR’s location also allows us to tap into a broader media network that we wouldn’t be able to do locally. Working with a firm in Montclair, N.J. — one of the most vibrant media hubs outside of NYC — gives us access to incredible storytellers and reporters. Violet PR offers press engagement at a level that’s uncommon. It is a partnership, but we wouldn’t be able to achieve the reach we have to promote Topeka without being able to lean into the network that Violet PR offers.

You’re hosting a friend in Topeka for the weekend. What are some can’t miss spots you take them to?

It’s a tricky question because there is so much to do here! I first find out what their passions and interests are. Do they love food, art, music, the outdoors, history? Are they looking for family fun or nightlife? At the top of the list is showing visitors the stunning Kansas Statehouse and the hospitality of our downtown. I love to take people to The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District to enjoy its beautiful murals, public art exhibitions, and hands-down the best gourmet grilled cheese in the country! A visit to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site to understand and appreciate the role the landmark 1954 decision played in the broader U.S. Civil Rights Movement is highly recommended. And we may be a city, but you can’t beat the outdoors in Kansas! Our city boasts over 70 miles of trails, lakes, and numerous parks and green spaces to enjoy the beauty of Topeka.