Leadership

20-21 OHSPRA Board of Directors

Lou DeVincentis

President

Lou DeVincentis has more than two decades of experience in public relations, including the last 21 years at the Orange City School District where he serves as the Director of Communications. 

Term: June 2020-June 2022

Alicia Mowry

President-Elect

Alicia Mowry has overseen communications and public relations at the Delaware Area Career Center since 2009. Prior to joining the world of school public relations, she served as both an account manager and a marketing director in the private sector.

Term: June 2020-June 2022

Patrick Gallaway

Past President

Patrick Gallaway has devoted much of his career to public service. He has helped lead the communications efforts for a variety of state agencies and non-profit organizations prior to leading the communications efforts at New Albany/Plain Local Schools (NAPLS) beginning in July 2012.

Term: June 2020-June 2022

Patti Koslo

Treasurer

Patti Koslo has over 25 years of experience in school public relations including community and parent engagement, strategic planning, crisis management, district rebranding and marketing, website development, award-winning video productions, along with a highly successful record with school bond and levy campaigns. Following her work in the Nordonia Hills City School District, Koslo started K Communications, LLC in 2010, working in both the education and non-profit sectors.

Term: June 2020-June 2022

Cristina Capretta

Secretary

Cristina Capretta has served as the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for the Berea City School District since 2015. She oversees internal and external communication efforts, including media relations, digital and print publications, and social media. Her work for the district has been recognized by both OHSPRA and NSPRA. She has worked in both the private and public sectors specializing in marketing, graphic design, public relations, event planning, development, and communications for over 15 years.

Term: Appointed Aug. 2021-June 2023

Crystal Davis

Dir. of Sponsorships/Partnerships

An award-winning journalist and videographer, Crystal Davis has a wide range of experience both in front of and behind the camera. She became Public Relations Coordinator for Pickerington Local Schools in January 2019, and was previously the deputy director of communication services at the Ohio School Boards Association and communications director for the Industrial Commission of Ohio.

Term: June 2021-June 2023

Kari Basson

Director of Professional Development

Having held positions in the private sector, healthcare and education, Kari Basson brings more than 30 years of public relations experience to her current position. A graduate of the University of Dayton with a bachelor's degree in communications, Kari held PR positions with the Better Business Bureau and St. Elizabeth Medical Center prior to joining Kettering City Schools as the coordinator of community relations and auxiliary services.

Term: June 2020-June 2022

Scott Marshall

Director of Contests & Awards

Scott Marshall is the District Communications Coordinator for Springboro Schools serving as the spokesperson and primary media contact for the district. Prior to joining Springboro Schools, Scott has worked 12 years in public relations with Dayton Public Schools and the Springfield City School District, serving as the district lead for the President of the United States visit to Springfield High School in November 2012.

Term: Appointed Aug. 2021. Expires June 2022

Melinda Briggs

Director of Communications

Melinda Briggs is communication lead at Briggs Creative Services, LLC in suburban Cincinnati, and provides communication services to area school districts like Little Miami Local Schools, Finneytown Local Schools and Mason City Schools. Prior to coming to BCS, Melinda worked for ten years as director of communication both at Little Miami and at Sycamore Community Schools.

Term: Appointed Nov. 2020. Expires June 2022.

Olivia Bronczek

Director of Membership

Olivia Bronczek is the communications coordinator for the Massillon City School District in northeast Ohio. In her position, she writes crisis and district communications, coordinates district events such as the State of the Schools, and develops social media content for all social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Previously, she was the marketing coordinator for Sugardale Foods in Massillon, Ohio.

Term: June 2021-June 2023

Mary Beddell

Chapter Manager (appointed)

Mary Beddell is a proud supporter of public education and has over 10 years of experience in communications, social media marketing, event planning, and fundraising. Mary has served as the chapter manager for the Ohio School Public Relations Association since 2014. In addition, Mary is currently the Public Relations Director for Plain Local Schools, a K-12 public school district that serves approximately six thousand students in Canton.