Linda Roth Associates, INC
Your Public Relations Concierge

Reagan National Airport
Hangar 11, Room 204
Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (703) 417.2700
Fax: (703) 417.2707

Linda Roth – President:
linda@lindarothpr.com

Anthony Hesselius – Vice President and Publicist
anthonyh@lindarothpr.com

For information on current or future internship opportunities please send all inquiries to: anthonyh@lindarothpr.com

There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all
- In My Life, The Beatles

linda@lindarothpr.com

An aficionado of the hospitality public relations industry, Linda Roth Conte, the founder and president of Linda Roth Associates, INC (LRA) is the “go-to” woman when the hospitality industry’s message needs to get out. She has developed marketing and publicity campaigns for independent and chain restaurants, hotels, associations, wine, beer and spirits companies, and non-profit hospitality organizations.

Marketing strategies as well as publicity strategies are critical in guiding national retail, restaurant and hotel groups in their expansion into the Washington, D.C. metro area market. Major hospitality groups such as Palm Management Corp., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Morton’s The Steakhouse, Brinker International, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Restaurant Associates, Guest Services, Inc., Famous Dave’s of America and Krispy Kreme have sought out LRA to plan and execute their expansion into the D.C. market.

In the international arena, as Director of Marketing for Champions Restaurants and Sports Bars, Linda developed a promotional training program for the company that was implemented by Champions in all of its U.S. and overseas restaurants, including those in Marriott properties.

Linda worked with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) to position the annual Capital Restaurant & Hospitality Awards (now called the RAMMY Awards) in its early years as the premier restaurant awards event in Washington. She helped bring it to the level of prominence it achieved through publicity and support from celebrity appearances from local media and sports personalities.

Linda firmly believes in donating her time to charitable causes. For nearly 12 years she has helped position The Larry King Cardiac Foundation via galas, publicity, community involvement and web site information. Linda has served on the board of D.C. Central Kitchen (DCCK), a pioneering food service provider and job-training program for Washington, D.C.’s homeless population. She designed and implemented Kitchen Kabaret, a gala dinner featuring a host of notable chefs who not only prepared dinner, but also performed at the event, supported by DCCK students and graduates.

Linda is a regular columnist for FoodService Monthly, a regional trade publication as well as The Georgetowner and The Downtowner newspapers. She is the D.C. Dateline contributor for the James Beard Foundation Calendar & Newsletter.

As a leading area public relations specialist, Linda has been a guest lecturer and panelist for the public relations departments at American University, George Washington University and Marymount University. She serves as a board member of the national capital chapters of both National Association of Women Business Owners and Les Dames d’Escoffier; she is a long-standing board member of Oxford Publishing, which publishes restaurant and bar trade publications. She is an active member of Washington Area Concierge Association, D.C. Central Kitchen, and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. Linda is a member of the American Marketing Association, James Beard Foundation and Women’s Foodservice Forum.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Linda is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a B.A. in Communications. Since 1975, she has been a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and an avid Terrapin fan. Linda adores her Norfolk Terrier Bella (i.e. the Tiny Dancer) and is a student of Italian culture and language – to better engage her husband Silvestro Conte’s love of his native country.

I walk the city late at night.
Does everyone here do the same?
I want to be the things I see,
Give every face and place my name.
I cross the street, take a right,
Pick up the pace, pass a fight.
Did I grow up just to stay home?
I`m not immune – I love this tune.
-Five Fathoms, Everything But the Girl

anthonyh@lindarothpr.com

A native of Colorado, Anthony joined the team at LRA in January 2007, after several years in PR working with a variety of restaurant, hotel and hospitality clients. He first moved to Washington to pursue his Masters degree in International Development at American University following 5 years of working and traveling the world. Prior to his work in PR, Anthony led development projects in Madagascar, and assisted on projects in Burundi, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His career focused in Africa, but also led him to Australia, Europe and beyond before he landed back in D.C.

While taking graduate classes he worked in The Melting Pot as a server, manager and eventually public relations director, becoming more entrenched in the Food & Beverage industry. Eventually he was nominated for ‘Employee of the Year’ by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington in 2005. His account management for Morton’s The Steakhouse earned LRA the PR Firm of the Year Award in 2008. Having made a home in Washington, Anthony is always looking to strengthen his relationships in the community here.

Anthony handles a wide variety of accounts for LRA, directing event planning and execution as well as marketing and brand strategizing. He is also the key support contact for LRA staff. Anthony serves on the board of the Washington Area Concierge Association, co-chairing and promoting the organization’s annual fundraising gala. His insight from years managing restaurant operation for businesses around the world lends itself perfectly to his work today.

Anthony’s favorite thing to do is eat, and he has worked with some of the world’s finest chefs, so ‘work’ tends to be pleasure for him. Spare time is often spent cooking, learning more about wine and spirits, and traveling anytime it is possible.

“You’re sick of hangin’ around and you’d like to travel;
Get tired of travelin’ and you want to settle down.
I guess they can’t revoke your soul for tryin’,
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.
Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me What a long, strange trip it’s been.”
- ‘Truckin,’ Grateful Dead

jessica@lindarothpr.com

An appreciator of all things public relations, Jessica brings experience in social media, media relations, digital project management, and event planning to her position at Linda Roth Associates.

Jessica has worked with a wide range of clients in her career, including clients in the healthcare, education, travel and tourism, and non-profit industries. As a public relations specialist, Jessica has garnered valuable media coverage on the local, regional, and national levels. She’s also assisted in retail grand openings, coordinated multiple media desk-side visits, and has experience conducting trend research.

A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, Jessica holds a B.A. in Advertising/public relations. Before joining Linda Roth Associates, Jessica worked in the public relations department for Mullen, a full service advertising agency headquartered in Boston. Jessica is a native of Somerset, Pennsylvania and in her spare time enjoys making jewelry, uncovering interesting recipes, learning about other cultures, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

“I’ve heard people say, too much of anything is not good for you, baby, but I don’t know about that.” – Barry White

christina@lindarothpr.com

Christina has used the term “home” to describe places as diverse as Texas, Kuwait, Nashville, Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and now Washington, D.C.’s vibrant U Street Corridor.  Having spent six years in the Middle East she has traveled extensively throughout the world, learning sometimes the hard way how to integrate different cultures into both her personal and professional life.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she started her career in sports communications focused primarily on multicultural outreach and initiatives. She has worked in Major League Baseball for both the Houston Astros and our home team, the Washington Nationals, supporting marketing initiatives, community outreach and media relations.  During her tenure in the MLB she managed multi-cultural campaigns including outreach to Spanish-speaking media, fans and community leaders. She has a proven track record of developing successful communications programs across the region, having accessed a multitude of demographics in a variety of communities.

She joined the LRA team in July 2010 and developed a quick understanding of hospitality and large-scale events.  She managed media outreach for the 2010 FotoWeekDC photography festival, earning it groundbreaking accolades and global exposure.  In addition, she currently manages accounts for the Matchbox Food Group restaurants in Chinatown, Capitol Hill and Rockville, MD.

Christina has always had a supersized appetite for life, traveling, and all things food!  She prides herself in always pushing boundaries and expectations, ultimately pursuing the ‘next best thing.’

lisa@lindarothpr.com

Lisa Pinghera joins the firm with extensive experience in the communications field, ranging from travel, hospitality and beauty public relations to non-profit and political consulting, event planning and fund-raising.

Prior to joining LRA, Lisa worked for Hisaoka Communications, a Washington D.C. public relations firm, where she managed the media relations and marketing initiatives for clients including The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, Roof Terrace Restaurant at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Chop’t Creative Salad Company, Red Velvet Cupcakery and Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro at The Westin Reston Heights in Northern Virginia.

Lisa established a love for the hotel and restaurant industries while interning at CM Communications in Boston’s Back Bay area.  There, she contributed to building strong media and community relations and assisted in the development of smart and interesting publicity campaigns for the Oceanaire Seafood Room, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, Hotel Commonwealth and Copley Square Hotel.

Lisa has also worked in the New York City beauty scene, at start-up, cosmetic company beautyADDICTS and public relations agency Tractenberg & Co.  Before moving to the District, she focused her efforts in the political and non-profit sectors, growing relationships with lobbyists and local contributors, coordinating special events, from galas and golf outings to private receptions, and securing funding for organizations like Community Options, Inc. and the North Hudson Community Action Foundation as well as Democratic elected officials throughout New Jersey.

Lisa is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a concentration in public relations.  In her free time, she helps the Daphne Baking Company, a NYC-based dessert wholesaler and retailer, with trade shows and local food store demos, educating media, consumers and potential business partners about the product.  She also enjoys studying architecture and design and frequenting new restaurants and theater.

“You can turn off the sun, but I’m still gonna shine, and I’ll tell you why…”
- The Remedy, Jason Mraz

elyse@lindarothpr.com

Elyse originally joined Linda Roth Associates in January 2011 as “The Intern.” After recently completing a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Spanish Language & Culture at The George Washington University, Elyse joins LRA full-time. During her time at LRA, Elyse has been a major contributor in ensuring successful client exposure and events. She has worked with various LRA clients including the Capital Home & Garden Show, Ping Pong Dim Sum, Ted’s Bulletin, Litestars and Wine Enthusiast. Elyse brings along her love for PR – especially when it comes to food!

During her undergraduate career, Elyse held several internships, including working in the Corporate Communications department at Royal Caribbean Cruises and dabbling in non-profit work at Earth Day Network. Some specific areas she worked in are special events, conference management and various types of writing, including press releases, blog posts and newsletter and magazine articles.

Elyse is originally from Miami, Florida where she enjoys the beaches and warm weather, especially while boating with her family.

Even on a cloudy day I’ll keep my eyes fixed on the sun. – Cage the Elephant, Shake Me Down

gabriela@lindarothpr.com

Gabriela joins LRA after recently graduating from American University with a bachelor’s degree in public communications and Italian. Coming to D.C. from the sunny island of Puerto Rico, Gabriela has gained experience in various areas of public relations, ranging from sports, consumer, leisure, hospitality, beauty and corporate PR. She has held positions at Fleishman-Hillard in their D.C. office, APCO Worldwide and Brandlink DC. She also worked at D.C. United as their Hispanic Communications intern.

After graduating with honors from Northwestern University, Larisa Wanserski has developed a distinctive career as a communications specialist for a wide range of corporate and non-profit organizations. Since joining LRA she has applied her writing and public relations skills to such accounts as Anton Enterprises, Inc., The Larry King Cardiac Foundation and Morton’s of Chicago.

Larisa has consulted for a diverse client list including Sitel Corporation/SWW Worldwide, Seeds of Peace, The Corporation for Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest and the historic Chautauqua Conferences on US-Soviet Relations. She was the first Senior Account Executive for Peabody Communications and was instrumental in developing the agency’s first national accounts, including the Law School Admission Council, the Association of Governing Boards and Mount Vernon.

Larisa served as public relations director for such national cultural institutions as the Wolf Trap Foundation, Ford’s Theatre and Very Special Arts. She was invited to be the first Communications and Marketing Director for the landmark Institute of the Arts at George Mason University.

Larisa has taught seminars and semester-long courses on public relations and writing. She was a founding Board member of The Washington Theatre Awards Society/The Helen Hayes Awards and served on the Board of Washington Independent Writers. Larisa managed and was lead vocalist for her own blues band, Lady Ice & The Titanics.