Member Spotlight

MEET PRSA AUSTIN CHAPTER MEMBER: JIM SUYDAM

NAME: Jim Suydam

CURRENT LIVELIHOOD: Press Secretary for Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson

CHILDHOOD AMBITION: To be Evel Knievel.

DRAW TO THE COMMUNICATIONS FIELD: As a newspaper reporter, I loved being able to affect change and have positive impact on people’s lives. As press secretary for a state agency that takes care of veterans, earns money for public education, oversees the Alamo and acts as the state’s coastal steward, I get the same satisfaction. Also, I can’t do math very well. 

HOMETOWN: Butte, Montana (the same as Evel Knievel)

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL: This came while working press, pro-bono, for my children’s public elementary school choir. By building up the Palm School Choir’s story through the local and regional press, we succeeded in luring the TODAY Show to send Al Roker down to southeast Austin to go live from the cafeteria. As Lyle Lovett and his Large Band played “If I had a boat,” the Palm School Choir sang backup and I watched the frazzled New York producer overseeing the live shot break down in tears at the beauty of it all. #Winning.

RECOMMENDED READS: Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion, Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson; APR Candidate Preparation Guide; Effective Public Relations, Cutlip/Center/Broom

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT AUSTIN AND FAVORITE AUSTIN RESTAURANTS: Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Taqueria Arandas. Hai Ky. East Side Café. Ruby’s BBQ on Guadalupe.