IABC First Coast April Newsletter

This month we spotlight long time IABC member Harold Barnett, who is currently the Communications Director for First Coast Service Options. Harold's always willing to meet with members conducting job searches to offer suggestions based on their resumes, and always seems to have an apt word in due season for fellow members.

What led you to a career in communications?

I entered the workforce in marketing communications/advertising, which eventually evolved into a heavy corporate communications/public relation's career path when I landed a position as manager of corporate communications with Nissan Motor Manufacturing U.S.A., located just outside Nashville, Tennessee. I was part of the start up team for Nissan's first manufacturing venture in the U.S. I was in that role for 10 years when Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) recruited me to become their director of corporate communications and I served in that role for another 10 years.

Talk about how you wound up in your current position with First Coast Service Options.
About three years ago, I was offered a position with First Coast Service Options, a subsidiary of BCBSF that is a Medicare Administrative Contractor for Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. I was hired to start up and manage their first corporate communications department, and have loved every minute of the challenge that goes with creating a communications function from the ground up, which I also got to do at Nissan. I currently manage corporate communications and brand management.

How has being an IABC member helped you in your career?
I became an IABC member early in my career during my Nissan days. Being a member has added great value to my career. I have had memberships in numerous other professional organizations focused on public relations, marketing and television production, but IABC has been my mainstay and is definitely the best in my opinion because they focus on a much broader array of marketing and corporate communications disciplines, versus some organizations that lean heavily on only one facet of the mix - like media relations, for example.

If you could suggest one thing to your fellow IABC chapter members, what would you tell them?
Take advantage of the outstanding networking opportunities available through your IABC membership, and become familiar with the many professional resources available to you through your membership, which includes participating in award competitions. In my opinion, there's nothing like winning a regional or national award and knowing that a panel of capable professionals in your field recognized your work as being above the pack.

Describe your dream job.

With all things considered, at this particular time in my career, I am in it! Resulting from many answered prayers, I've been blessed and have been fortunate to have several dream jobs before I arrived at FCSO, but this one is great and best of all.