URWA 2012 Board

Click on board member's name to review bio.
Jodee Steffensen
Jewel Adams
Julie Bird
Clancy Metzger
Sandy Rowland
Jennifer Beckstrand
Kim Finnegan

	URWA 2012 President: Jodee Steffensen I've written off and on all of my life. My first effort was a screenplay in the 7th grade. I wrote it in longhand on a spiral notebook and sent the whole thing to my favorite TV show. I didn't hear anything back. I wish I'd kept a copy! Next I wrote scripts for various summer neighborhood theatre groups, reminiscent of the old time movies where the kids yell out, "hey, let's do a show in old man Hodges barn!" That was fun. But somehow I always had to give up writing to make a living. Most recently, I was successful in writing some screenplays in Seattle for two local production companies and some short study scenes for local actors. Never received a paycheck, though. By the way, I was co-chairman for five years for the SAG/AFTRA Conservatory and co-owner of a construction company for 23 years. Those are probably the experiences that most qualify me as president-in-training for this year. I'm currently working as a teacher, but I'm determined to pursue that elusive writing career. It's possible I've finally found a job that actually supports my aspirations. Very exciting! My platform: I've found Utah's RWA chapter to be the most nurturing, welcoming group I've ever had the privilege of being part of. The workshops are fantastic, the retreat and conference unbeatable, and the support I receive gives me complete confidence in my future potential. I want to see that continue for all our members. I'll do everything I can to move the chapter forward.
	President-elect: Jewel Adams J. (Jewel) Adams stays crazy busy with her family and writing. She has written several books in different genres and is also a motivational speaker to both youth and adult audiences. She home schools her four kids that are still at home, and between that and conjuring up new ideas for her books, her brain is completely fried most of the time. She and her husband Sean are the parents of eight children, which means they are both losing hair, but hey, that's what Rogaine is for, right? In her spare time (when she has any) she likes to curl up with a good book and a healthy stash of orange Tic Tacs. She and her family reside in Utah.
	Vice-President: Julie Bird Julie Bird has had a life-long love affair with books. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 2003 with a degree in English. Currently, she takes on projects as a freelance technical writer, while also being an adoring wife and doting mom to four kids. She has had a successful stint as a relationship humor blogger, written parenting stories for Woman's World Magazine and recently completed a contemporary romance novel. She looks forward to bringing to the position of Vice President her flair for networking, her enthusiasm for romance and a passionate desire to promote and encourage fellow URWA members who are following their dreams.
	Secretary: Clancy Metzger Clancy Metzger is fortunate to count among the true joys in her life her family (especially her grandson), friends, pets, traveling and writing. She also has a deep love of reading and movies in many genres with a preference for romance. Clancy has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in E.S.L. from the University of Texas, so she is aware of the rules whether she actually follows them or not. She is currently focusing her writing on romance of the erotic variety. She has served the last year as your Secretary and would love to serve in that role again. More information can be gleaned on her website: www.clancymetzger.com.
	Treasurer: Sandy Rowland Sandy Rowland is the mother of three grown children, wife to a supportive, loving man, and grandma to a wild baby girl. If I'm not writing, I'm reading, or making sure our chapters finances are up to date. I worked in banking, am a licensed massage practitioner and life coach. It may sound crazy, but I'm happy to act as treasurer for another year. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. You can find me on my blog www.sandylrowland.blogspot.com.
	PAN Liaison: Jennifer Beckstrand After earning a degree in Mathematics from BYU, I took several years off to have six kids and be a PTA mom. I have written and directed several school and youth productions and musicals. My favorite writers are Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. I have been a member of URWA for three years and have a three book contract with Guideposts Books for my Amish series "Forever After in Apple Lake." The first book is due out in Spring of 2012. I would love PAN members to network and mentor each other in the craft of writing, self-promotion, and the world of publishing.
	PRO Liaison: Kim Finnegan For those who don't me, I've been in PRO since 2006 and have loved every minute of being with this special group of authors. It takes an amazing amount of courage to take the step in your career when you put your stories in front of industry professionals for review. The risk of rejection is almost always assured, but the opportunity for acceptance and moving forward to publication is worth that risk. This year as PRO Liaison, I'd love to invite all PRO members to share their knowledge throughout the year by taking turns presenting a short workshop each month for our PRO meetings. We'll buoy each other up as we share our struggles in making it to the next level of RWA membership, PAN. And we'll celebrate the moment when each author hits that mark. I hope you'll join with me to make 2012 your best year ever.