Stuart Newman, Founder and Chief Executive, is a former “Fort Lauderdale News” (“South Florida Sun-Sentinel”) reporter. He was chapter president of Public Relations Society of America; vice president of American Public Relations Society; chairman Society of American Travel Writers’ Associates Council; president, Society of Professional Journalists Miami Chapter; and as member of the University of Florida College of Journalism Public Relations Advisory Council.

Andy Newman, Senior Vice President, is the immediate past PR Committee chair for the Visit Florida tourism promotion organization and is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Outdoor Writers of America. He was managing editor of the daily University of Florida newspaper, a news editor for the “Miami Beach Sun Reporter,” a photojournalist for United Press International and spent three years with Miami’s NBC television affiliate, WTVJ.

Buck Banks, Executive Vice President, has extensive experience as a writer and editor of magazines, business publications and newspapers, among them the in-flight magazines of USAir and United Airlines. In addition to covering both the retail and wholesale travel industry for five years as an associate editor, he was cruise editor of “ASTA Agency Management” magazine — the monthly publication of the American Society of Travel Agents — for three years.

Julie Ellis, Senior Account Supervisor, has 14 years of travel industry experience and served as public relations manager for Cunard Line where she spearheaded the media effort for the launch of Queen Mary 2. Responsibilities include writing press releases and marketing copy, managing social media and blogs, organizing and hosting press trips and fulfilling media requests. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

Carol Shaughnessy, Account Executive, resides in Key West and handles daily activities for the agency’s longest ongoing account — the Florida Keys & Key West tourism council. She has more than 20 years’ experience writing about and publicizing tourism, entertainment and special events. She wrote the nonfiction book “Diving into Glory,” and co-directs the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition with Ernest Hemingway’s granddaughter, author Lorian Hemingway.

Julie Botteri, Account Representative, lives in Marathon and handles agency activities for the Upper and Middle Keys regions for the Florida Keys & Key West account and serves as Web editor for the official site of the tourism council, www.fla-keys.com. An experienced diver and seasoned freelance writer, she has published articles in cruise, adventure travel and lifestyle magazines, as well as authored two travel career guidebooks.

Juliette Gebken-Mayi, Account Executive, is an experienced journalist, writing in both Spanish and English. A former contributor to “El Nuevo Dia” newspaper’s travel magazine and “Imagen” magazine, she holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in global strategic communications from Florida International University.

Carolina Bustamante, Media Manager, handles direct media contacts and organizes and leads media group trips, interacting daily with U.S. and international travel editors, outdoor writers, television producers and other journalists. She holds a Bachelor of Communications degree from Florida International University.

Christina Baez, Account Coordinator, responsibilities include writing press releases, contributing to social media and blogs, fulfilling journalist requests, researching journalists, coordinating individual journalist and group press trip itineraries, acquiring press clippings and distributing press releases to nationwide media. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from the University of Florida.

Nicole Maddox, Account Executive, writes press releases, creates and distributes the Holland America Line Executive Newsletter and contributes to social media and blogs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida. She previously worked at WLRN Radio and Television, Miami’s National Public Radio affiliate, and Sony BMG Record Co.