The Irrigation Association announced the hiring of two new staff members: Marcia E. Cram as foundation and membership manager, and Eva R. Hornak as communications manager.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Marcia and Eva,” said Deborah Hamlin, executive director. “These positions reflect our increased dedication to member service as well as our expanded focus on quality of outreach to other audiences like foundation donors, students and the larger green industry.”
As foundation and membership manager, Marcia Cram will manage strategic initiatives of the Irrigation Association Education Foundation and its major programs. A primary focus will be increasing relationships with the academic world. For the Association, she will manage membership campaigns and processes. Cram brings many years of association and corporate project management experience to her role, having held positions with several organizations including Macro International, the Society of Interventional Radiology, the Association for Career and Technical Education, Financial Women International, and the National Recreation and Park Association.
In the past two decades, Cram has managed numerous education and membership programs as well as developed marketing and communications strategies and tactics for her organizations and clients. She is a member of the American Marketing Association and former board member of her community civic association. Cram holds a Master of Business Administration in marketing as well as a Bachelor of Science in recreation management.
Communications Manager Eva Hornak will drive communication and public relations efforts for both the association and the Foundation. Her focus will be on enhancing messaging and outreach to all audiences. Hornak joins IA after spending six years with North Carolina-based agency The Catevo Group and its predecessor Epley Associates, Inc. Most recently titled a marketing communications manager, Eva specialized in writing and editing for a variety of print, electronic and multimedia communications. Past roles included account manager and public relations specialist, handling numerous public relations and marketing tasks including media relations, messaging, strategy development and research and analysis.
Hornak is a member of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association, the Raleigh Public Relations Society and serves as a board member in the North Carolina chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. She has also provided public relations counsel and support for nonprofits such as Project EverGreen and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. She is based in Raleigh, N.C. and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in filmmaking.