The Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) invites you to join them for the March 26 Lunch and Learn program at AJ’s on the Bayou March 26. Mark your calendar now for a program you don’t want to miss.

Dianna Van Horn, a public affairs volunteer with the American Red Cross, will speak on disaster preparedness and recovery. She spent several weeks in Tallahassee, helping coordinate recovery efforts after Hurricane Michael, and most recently in California, following wildfires.

Van Horn began her long association with the American Red Cross as a swimming instructor in high school. From there, she taught first aid and CPR classes for years before her first exposure to the disaster side of the Red Cross during Tropical Storm Alberto in 1986. Since then she has worked as a public affairs volunteer and has been helping people prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

Van Horn has spent the last 30 years learning everything she could about disaster response, and she’s currently applying this knowledge in her role as a public affairs volunteer and the regional communicator’s peer partner. She has deployed to more than 25 disasters both here in Florida and across the country. She has a reputation for helping those affected by disaster during what may be the worst days of their lives.

She has a master’s degree from Florida A&M University’s communication program and has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, as well as a radio news director. When she isn’t busy responding to disasters, she enjoys reading, taking photos or simply enjoying retirement with her husband of almost 50 years.
Join ECPRO at AJ’s on the Bayou, 200 Eglin Parkway NE, Fort Walton Beach, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. March 26 to network, make new friends and participate in another educational meeting. Lunch is $15 for members, $25 for non-members and $10 for students. If you do not want to eat but want to hear the program, the cost is $10. Guests are always welcome and should bring business cards for networking. Don’t forget door prizes and a few extra dollars for business announcements.

For more information about ECPRO, contact Kathy Morrow at 850-974-3662 or info@emeraldcoastpr.org.