LESSONS LEARNED GROWING UP ON THE RANCH BODES WELL FOR LIFELONG CAREER
By Jim Frankowiak One might question how growing up on a cattle ranch helped lay the foundation for an outstanding career in community and public relations, but in the case of Leah Lauderdale, it makes perfect sense. “Both take a good deal of hard work to succeed,” said the Senior Director of Community Relations for Polk County Public Schools. “That work ethic plus recognizing the importance of interpersonal communication, value of community and an appreciation for others’ perspectives have been helpful,” she said. “Ag life also taught me there’s a time to lead and a time to be the best team player possible.” “There’s also an innate optimism reflected by people in ranching and agriculture. We learn to anticipate challenges and strategically work to get through each of them. I loved growing up on our family ranch and will always treasure those memories and the people who work every day to put food on our tables,” said Lauderdale. The daughter of Al and Betty Bellotto, Lauderdale and her sisters, Chere’ Campbell and Chris, and brother Al, Jr., all grew up on the Circle B Bar Ranch in south Lakeland. Chere’ is a science teacher at Lakeland High School, while Chris is Head Coach of Women’s Softball at Florida Southern College (FSC) and Al Jr. works with the family agri-business and is also assistant coach of Women’s Softball at FSC. A cattle operation, begun by her parents following her dad’s return from a tour of tough duty with the Navy in the Pacific theater during World War II, Circle B daily activity meant helping with the feeding and herding of cattle, fixing fences and just about anything else that needed to get done on the ranch. Primarily a cattle operation, the Bellotto family later diversified into citrus. A portion of the family ranch was jointly acquired by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program and the Southwest Florida Water Management District a number of years ago to protect the floodplain of nearby Lake Hancock and to restore the Banana Creek marsh system. The property, now know as Circle B Bar Reserve, is maintained by Polk County. It is also home to the Polk County Nature Discovery Center and offers a diverse selection of recreational opportunities. “Each of us had a horse to help with operational responsibilities and mine was my first love,” said Lauderdale. “In addition to utilizing our horses on the ranch, we participated in horse-show competitions across Florida. We often competed against one another and that promoted a strong sense of loyalty and a healthy competitive spirit,” said Lauderdale. In addition to the skills acquired while growing up on the Circle B Bar Ranch, Lauderdale received excellent mentoring
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from her father, a respected leader in Florida known as one of the state’s renowned cattlemen and citrus growers. He is a member of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and perhaps best known for his statewide campaign to implement a Beef Checkoff Program in the state, which would provide funding for beef advertising. That program continues today and is an important component in the cattleman’s marketing program. Bellotto Sr. has also been recognized for introducing innovative processes to the cattle industry, his support of conservation and his ongoing
advocacy for agriculture. ly proud of her role in a program she founded while with Polk “At an early age, I learned public relations principals from County Farm Bureau. “Thanks to the support of the volunteer my father who encouraged me to pursue the PR field. Following leadership at Farm Bureau we were able to nurture the idea of him around, both on and off of the ranch, and without him even Agri Fest and make it become a reality,” she said. “I can’t tell you realizing the effect, I received a daily lesson in the art of diplo- how proud I am of that program!” macy, problem-solving and effective communication,” said LauSince 1988, 6,000 fourth graders in Polk County each year derdale. “My mother, a gifted writer, complemented the early PR come to learn about the importance of agriculture thanks to lessons by inspiring me to write creatively and to always strive for the efforts of Lauderdale and the support of Farm Bureau, Polk a polished image.” County Schools and other local agricultural organizations. She obtained a B.A. degree in public relations from FloriLauderdale has been recognized with a range of honors and da Southern College and has also taken Continuing Education awards during her career, both at the state and national level. courses at the University of Georgia, Athens. She has earned the She is a past recipient of Professional of the Year, National Agdesignation of Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and Certified riculture in the Classroom Outstanding Program and the Florida Public Relations Counselor (CPRFC) conferred by the Public Re- Commissioner of Education Business/Partnership Award for her lations Society of America and Florida Public Relations Associa- public relations work. In 2005, Lauderdale served as state presition (FPRA), respectively. dent of FPRA, the nation’s oldest public relations organization In her current position, Lauderdale is responsible for the su- and was most recently accorded FPRA’s highest and most prestipervision of the district’s public relations efforts, which include gious honor, the John Dillin Professional Award. issues management, media relations, printed and video commuThroughout her career, Lauderdale has continued to give nication tools, three TV channels, community involvement and back to the community, serving as a volunteer board member for the production of the district’s numerous special events. Under over 50 local and state agricultural, professional, cultural arts and her leadership, the department’s public relations initiatives have educational organizations. She is a graduate of Central Florida received more than 18 state and local awards from four different Leadership, Leadership Lakeland and Leadership Polk, Class III. public relations organizations. Married to Ron and the mother of Elisa, Lauderdale enjoys Prior to joining the school district, Lauderdale was Public interior design, traveling and reading espionage or political ficRelations Advisor for a division of Mobil Oil Corporation, Man- tion. ager of Public Affairs for Farmland Hydro, L.P., Executive Direc“Those family bonds that developed while growing up are tor of Polk County Farm Bureau and Executive Director of the even stronger today,” she said. “Extraordinary family memories Bartow Chamber of Commerce. were created working together on the ranch and some of our most In keeping with the lessons learned while growing upKitchen and enjoyable as adults are recalling those experiences. My agriSherry and hertimes daughter, strong appreciation for agriculture, Lauderdale is particularculture roots run deep and always will.” Shelby Freeman
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