Jolene Priest Is New Parks Media Officer
By Karen Gould

Jolene Priest is the public relations officer at Mackinac State Historic Parks. Now working from her desk in Mackinaw City, she looks forward to moving her office to the Post Hospital at Fort Mackinac in May.

As the tourist season ended last October and Mackinac State Historic Parks moved its operations to Mackinaw City for the winter months, Jolene Priest began her new job as public relations officer. She is looking forward to working with people on the mainland and on Mackinac Island to promote the agency's historic attractions and summer events.

"I feel like I'm doing something really worthwhile," she said of her new job. "I'm part of a team of people whose mission is to protect, preserve, and present Mackinac's natural resources. That's a very worthwhile mission and something I'm thrilled to be a part of."

Mrs. Priest, who is the mother of an eight-month-old daughter, Nicolette, has spent the winter becoming familiar with park history, the job's responsibilities, park operations, and media deadlines. In her position, she works with local, state, and national television stations, publications, radio, and newspapers, promoting park events from weeks to months in advance. She also contributes to the agency's Web site content and literature development.

She took over the media role from Patricia Majher, who left to become assistant director of the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame in Lansing.

Mrs. Priest earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Central Michigan University in 1999, then worked in marketing and public relations for six years, designing literature, writing advertising copy, and editing newsletters.

Originally from Rogers City, Mrs. Priest, her daughter, and her husband, John, an engineer, are in the process of moving to the area from Mt. Pleasant.

"I've wanted to move back to northern Michigan," she said. "It's where I'm from. It's where I've always felt home is. This area has always been in my heart."

She has visited all of the Mackinac State Historic Parks sites with her class and family.

"They instilled in me a love for nature and history," she said of her parents. "It is because of my parents that I feel this way, and to be part of this is perfect."

One of her favorite memories of visiting Fort Mackinac with her eighth grade class was being able to try on a soldier's uniform and have her photograph taken.

"It was very exciting as a child to do that," she said. "It is a memory that really sticks in my mind."

She already is working on her second "Curiosities" newsletter, writing articles for the publication that is sent to Mackinac Associates members. The four-page newsletter is filled with photographs and articles about Mackinac State Historic Parks and its friends group, Mackinac Associates.

"I've always had a love for writing," said Mrs. Priest.

Working on the newsletter, she said, has helped her to get to know park staff and meet those residents who support the park through their membership with Mackinac Associates.

Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, said, "Her public relations and marketing skills, combined with great enthusiasm and a desire to excel, will greatly benefit Mackinac State Historic Parks."