Poston Communications President Monica Smith selected to Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40

Poston Communications is pleased to announce that its president, Monica Smith, has been selected to the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for 2018. The publication annually recognizes leaders in the region who are younger than 40 and have contributed to the Central Florida community in a meaningful way. Smith will be profiled in the November 9 issue of the Orlando Business Journal and will be recognized with other 40 Under 40 honorees at an upcoming celebration event.

“Monica is a ‘make-it-happen person,’ and the firm’s phenomenal growth in Orlando certainly shows the impact of her hands-on approach to building the business,” said Dave Poston, chief executive officer of Poston Communications.

As an example of her ability to design and scale initiatives across an organization, Smith initiated and implemented a program entitled the PRecision Curriculum. More than 15 interns and employees have graduated from the program, and 100 percent of eligible interns joined the agency full-time upon completion of their internship.

Smith refers to the program as a bridge between college and work life for intern participants. The structured lessons include all the skillsets and background knowledge needed to be effective in public relations, such as understanding how to talk to clients and media sources, pitching journalists and building a professional wardrobe. The course is peer-led, with outside experts joining for certain sessions. The approach has enabled Poston to build a roster from the ground up with employees embracing the “Poston Way,” which Smith says centers on servant leadership, gratitude and laser-focused attention to detail. Next up, she is developing a leadership curriculum for all other employees – from assistant account executive to CEO.

“The positive and lasting effects of Monica’s contributions, such as the PRecision Curriculum, make this honor particularly well-deserved,” Poston said. “Developing programs and opportunities that allow our team members to flourish in their chosen career paths is a shining example of the impact and results that we also hope to achieve for clients.”

In her role as president, Smith oversees all of Poston Communications’ media relations and content client teams, blending her commitment to detail with a strategic perspective to ensure that our clients’ business development needs are met. In addition, she counsels CEOs, firm management and practice group leaders on issues related to leadership and messaging. She helps them communicate with their constituents – partners, employees and clients – on matters related to change, growth and crisis.

In 2010, Smith served as president of the Legal Marketing Association’s Southeastern Chapter, leading an 18-member board of directors and 80 volunteer leaders throughout the region. She also chaired the organization’s Orlando City Group in 2015. In 2018, she served on the LMASE Nominating Committee. Notably, Smith has provided pro bono crisis counsel to nonprofits in the Central Florida community.

Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stetson University in Deland, Florida.

Poston Communications is an international public relations, content, digital and crisis communications agency serving professional services and business-to-business companies in highly regulated industries. Our 35-member team can be found in offices in Atlanta, Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, South Florida and Washington, D.C., as well as other locations nationwide. For more information, visit the firm’s website at postoncommunications.com.