Member Spotlight - Francisco Rodriguez
Posted by admin on Jul. 10, 2023 / Subscribe 0
Standout Member Shares His Superpower and Belonging to Achieve Goals
Francisco Rodriguez is a DFW Airport external communications professional with expertise in community, government, and public relations.
It is well known that patience is a virtue, and that virtue can be displayed in many situations. Patient employees and leaders are often effective communicators. They exhibit exemplary character and composure. When speaking with Francisco Rodriguez, his patient demeanor is evident, and it’s clear why he considers it to be his superpower. Today, feeling overwhelmed is common, and immediate gratification is expected, so patience has served Francisco especially well in his communications role.
"Networking, interacting with other professionals, is inspiring,” said Francisco, a member of PRSA since 2019. “It is a perfect space to share stories that have gone as planned or ruminate about the times when the directional guidance offered was met with a different point of view.”
After completing a certificate course in A New View of Integrated Marketing Communications, Francisco said, “The certificate offered through PRSA has provided me a solid perspective on best practices and resources to meet the changing demands in our evolving industry. Belonging to PRSA and taking advantage of professional development through workshops, on-demand, and case-in-point opportunities has been critical to navigate the ever-changing space in the PR and communications field.”
Learning more about Francisco’s role and education revealed why patience is a highly valued skill. As a member of the External Communications Team at DFW International Airport, his primary duties include managing the airport’s Newsroom page, developing, and implementing communication strategies for key airport departments such as the cargo and finance departments, and serving as a spokesperson with the media. Francisco has been with DFW Airport for eight years. An El Paso native, Francisco has a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Texas at El Paso, a master’s in public policy from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a master’s in communication management from the University of Southern California.
Building the Road to Career Fulfillment
Francisco said he “attributes much of my success to having great mentors and managers throughout my career journey who provided opportunities to develop skills in different areas of communication that match what I have found most fulfilling and that led me to my current role.” Before joining DFW Airport, Francisco worked for the City of Dallas as a legislative coordinator, a role in which he helped prepare the city’s response to proposed legislation by collaborating with city departments, key stakeholders and members of the city council to support legislation beneficial to all residents. Francisco said his inspiration in the communications field is “the success of the wins and celebrating conscious coverage and how my colleagues and I contributed to the work, whether it be a mention or a smaller or larger story.” He said he loves being a contributor to the consciousness of the company where every day offers a new opportunity.
Implementing PRSA Dallas in Every Step of His Career Journey
Francisco loves to travel and is dedicated to work-life balance. At the same time, he is “always looking for ways to stay connected with other professionals.” He added, “I find PRSA the perfect professional organization home that meets professionals where they are in their career journeys. There are many options to stay connected through continuous learning, networking, and staying in touch with people in my field, sharing stories and perspectives. You can opt in for what is right for you, and the best way to do so is to keep your membership updated and active.”
Words of Advice and Getting Involved with PRSA
It’s no secret that Francisco is an enthusiastic advocate of PRSA and the PRSA Dallas chapter “because of the program quality and the opportunity to get to know the ever-so-dedicated group of members. If you’re a member, stay connected. If you know of someone who is not a member, encourage them to join and be part of an ethical, fun group of professionals who strive for excellence.” It is reassuring that PRSA embraces and represents the people it serves, offering an attractive hub for public relations professionals who are looking to engage in an association that makes a difference.
With patience, we can step back, regroup, and invest in meaningful ways to build growth and engagement. Now that Francisco has mastered his superpower, acquired skills learned from great mentors, collected broad experiences, and engaged in new programs, benefits, and opportunities, it’s natural that he has chosen PRSA as his professional home.
Article: By John B. Ponzio - Co-chair of the Membership Committee for the Dallas PRSA chapter
John is a creative, engaging PR professional with a career spanning hospitality, health care, luxury goods, and association management. His greatest passions are serving others and fostering cultural excellence. Working in marketing and public relations for the Ritz Carlton early in his career, he gained a strong foundation in innovating, being a change leader, and being a positive disruptor while providing legendary customer service. This foundation shaped the executive he is today and how he approaches everything, including brand-building, brand launches, relationship-building, risk mitigation, and results-tracking.
Extensive experience working for high-profile brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Bombardier Learjet, Henry Ford Health System, and the American Heart Association, as well as extensive experience driving quantifiable results.
He offers public relations, marketing, and communications consulting services as a PR practitioner helping brands define what they stand for, engage, connect with audiences, and create credible narratives and stories that drive industry-leading outcomes. Working as the co-chair of the Membership Committee for the Dallas PRSA chapter has been his pleasure by having the opportunity to work with so many talented members.
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