Please Welcome APA Florida's Two New Staff Members

Patti Shea, Communications Manager

Patti Shea has been telling stories for more than 20 years. Patti is a three-time Associated Press award-winning journalist who has worked as an editor for USA Today and The Washington Times and was the founding managing editor of The Capitol Hill Current. She leapt to digital storytelling at AARP, where she shared the stories of family caregivers and won a Gracie Award for a documentary series about retired parents caring for disabled veterans.

Patti saw the potential of sharing stories and experiences on social media and in 2010 became a founding member of the AARP Social Media team. In 2014, she created her consulting shop in Tallahassee so she could have the flexibility as a full-time caregiver for her father, Jim, and mother, Kathy. APA Florida was one of her first clients.

She is excited to be aboard full-time and ready to create a new experience for APA Florida members. Patti loves kayaking on one of Tallahassee’s many rivers and howling along with her beagle, Darwin. 

Contact Patti anytime here.

Suzie Gray, Bookkeeper & Administrative Assistant

Hello all! I am new to the APA Florida team and looking forward to learning all about the work that planners do. I am excited to have the opportunity to attend this year’s Florida Planning Conference.

I was born and raised in our capital city of Tallahassee and am a very proud Seminole Fan (Go Noles!). I am happily married to my husband, Ryan Gray, who works for the Florida Department of Transportation, so he may be of assistance in understanding planning aspects from his perspective. We enjoy nature, traveling, family time, and our two beloved chihuahuas. I enjoy cooking, going on walks, and seeing what my future holds with APA Florida! 

Contact Suzie anytime here.