Each month, IABC/Tulsa features one of its members in the “Meet A Member” section of the newsletter. In this issue, we learn more about IABC’s 2011 Chapter Leader of the Year – and our chapter president – Steve Higgins.
IABC/Tulsa: Tell us about your job – you know, the other one besides being chapter president.
Steve: I am a senior communications specialist for Williams. While it sounds trite, I really love my job because of the people I work with.
IABC/Tulsa: How long have you been a member of IABC?
Steve: It’s been 18 years.
IABC/Tulsa: Rumor has it that you have served our chapter as president not just once, but twice.
Steve: It’s true. In addition to my current term, I also served as president in 1994-95. I’ve also held other board and committee roles over the years.
IABC/Tulsa: What is the best meeting/seminar/conference you have ever attended?
Steve: The district conference that our chapter staged in 2000. We knew we had a challenge in making Tulsa an attractive conference destination. Through creative programming, excellent planning and fun social activities, we succeeded in putting on a great conference that people still talk about today.
IABC/Tulsa: How has IABC played a part in your professional development?
Steve: Getting involved with IABC led directly to my being offered a position at Williams, where I’ve been for 16 years.
IABC/Tulsa: When you’re not working at Williams or fulfilling your chapter duties, what do you like to do?
Steve: My wife Linda and I enjoy cooking, so I often can be found on the back patio burning something on the Hasty Bake. And I’m a major music geek, with a respectable collection of vinyl that I spin on weekends. We also have a beagle and a poodle that command much attention.
IABC/Tulsa: What does a self-proclaimed “music geek” like to listen to?
Steve: Bob Dylan. Followed closely by Guided by Voices, the Replacements, the Velvet Underground, Stereolab, the Smiths, Sonny Rollins, the Who, the Stones, X, Tom Waits, Bobby Short, the Byrds, the Ramones, Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, Pavement … (sorry you asked?).
IABC/Tulsa: Ok, so your friends call you a “foodie.” What’s your favorite restaurant? Where should we go out to eat?
Steve: Overall, Topolobampo in Chicago, Balthazar and Jean Georges in New York, Capo in Santa Monica. In Tulsa, El Rio Verde.
IABC/Tulsa: The future of the field of communications…
Steve: …is what the people reading this decide to make it.
IABC/Tulsa: What advice would you give to communications professionals who are just entering the workforce?
Steve: Join IABC.