Elizabeth Fortune
TITLE : Public Relations Specialist
COMPANY : U of A Division of Agriculture
I’m responsible for the UA’s Division of Agriculture public relations activities, including strategic planning, media relations and social media. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Arkansans through research and educational programs conducted by the Cooperative Extension Service. We work with residents in each of Arkansas’ 75 counties to apply university-based research to their everyday lives. We have resources on a variety of topics, including gardening, agriculture, health, nutrition, public policy, youth, community and economic development, aging and family life.
Why I Love This
Variety. The day may start with me talking to a reporter about our 4-H program, and end with me standing in a soybean field in the pouring rain.
Career Goal
Short-term: achieve professional accreditation. Overall, though, I feel I’ve achieved my goal of working in public relations for an organization that helps fellow Arkansans.
Favorite Quote: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson
Best Days: The best days have been working with national news outlets to cover stories ranging from camps for military kids, to farmers combating weeds in their fields. Who wouldn’t want to hear Charles Gibson introduce one of your stories?!?
Worst Days: I’ve had bad days in every job, but I don’t have a worst day story. Any day during which I’ve made a mistake that needs to be corrected is a bad day for me, but I try to correct my mistakes, learn from them, figure out what to do better next time and move on.
Favorite Workplace Expression: “Serenity now!”
Best business advice you ever received and who gave it: Everything I needed to know about business I learned from my dad. My dad, recently retired, was self-employed, and he set the example for my brother and me. He showed us the value of hard work, what employers need in an effective employee and how to take care of those with whom you work or who work for you. Who consistently inspires you? Each for specific reasons: my parents, Kola and Darrell Fortune; my brother, Mark Fortune; and, my husband, Griffin Coop. What business men and women do you admire the most? My friend Heather Nelson, senior vice president/relationship manager for U.S. Bank. Heather is extremely driven in accomplishing every goal she sets in life, whether personally or professionally.
How will you know when you are successful? I’ve achieved a level of success with every award, media placement and promotion I’ve earned. I continue to set goals, and as those are accomplished, I’m successful.