About RWA: Board of Directors

	Sherry Lewis, President sherry08@slbwrites.com Term expiration: 10/31/08 An RWA member for more than a decade, Sherry has served nationally as Region 4 Director since November 2004. She was chair of the Communications Committee and on the Cocktail Committee in 2003. Two-time president of the Utah/Salt Lake Chapter, Sherry also served as immediate past president, conference co-chair, and chapter PAN liaison. Published with both Harlequin and Berkley/Jove, Sherry is the author of 1 novella and 16 full-length romance novels, and is contracted for more. She has also published 8 mystery novels. She lives outside Salt Lake City, Utah, near two daughters and one grandbaby.
	Diane Pershing, President - Elect diper@sbcglobal.net Term expiration: 10/31/08 Diane has published 20 romance novels and was a finalist in several contests (RITA finalist, 2004). She is a past winner of the Aspen Gold, Golden Quill, and Orange Rose contests. A member of the Orange County Chapter of RWA since 1991, Diane served as Published Authors Liaison in 1998, Chapter Co-President 1999 and 2000 and Past Presidential Advisor, 2001. On a national level, Diane has served as Chairperson of 2003-2004 PAN Steering Committee, conducted workshops at two national conventions, and recently served two terms as Region Six Director. In addition to her work with RWA, Diane is an actor and singer, newspaper columnist and television writer, experienced speaker and teacher of on-line workshops, passionate reader and enthusiastic supporter of the written word and those who create them.
	Kelley St. John, Secretary Kelley@kelleysbooks.com Term expiration: 10/31/09 Kelley St. John is serving her second term as RWA Secretary. Previously a senior writer at NASA, she now spends her time penning steamy romances and quirky women's fiction for Grand Central Publishing and Harlequin Blaze. Kelley frequently presents conference workshops and is a member of the Southern Magic, Heart of Dixie, FTH, TARA, PASIC and Golden Network RWA chapters. (www.kelleystjohn.com)
	Stephanie Feagan, Treasurer Stephanie@stephaniefeagan.com Term expiration: 10/31/08 A member since 1995, Stephanie Feagan is a RITA winning, multi-published author who credits her success to the support, education and networking afforded her by RWA. Stephanie is a charter member of The Golden Network, has served as treasurer and conference tour coordinator for Kiss of Death, and is a member of DARA and PASIC. She has previously served on the RWA finance committee. A practicing CPA with over twenty-three years of experience in auditing and tax planning and compliance, Stephanie is a sole practitioner in Midland, Texas. She and her husband have two daughters.
	Terri Brisbin, Region One Director TerriBrisbinRWA@terribrisbin.com Term expiration: 10/31/08 Two-time RITA Finalist, Terri Brisbin is wife to one, mom to three boys, and dental hygienist to hundreds in southern New Jersey where she lives. An NJRW chapter officer and two-term president, she served as Workshop Chairperson for the 2005 RWA conference. Terri's also one of the organizers of the ToBeez (aka Rising Stars of Romance) -- an e-mail support network established in 1998 for authors who have sold their first romance and are yet-TO-BE-published. In her other profession, she's served as the editor of several dental hygiene newsletters and journals and as a local, state and national officer. See Region 1 Boundaries
	Michelle Monkou, Region One Director michellemonkou@comcast.net Term expiration: 10/31/09 Michelle Monkou served as Region 1 Board Member from 2005-2007. She also served on the local chapter level in various leadership positions, including president for two terms. Currently she is a member of First Coast Romance Writers. Michelle sold her first contemporary romance novel to BET Books in 2002, with eight published titles and an additional two under contract. She currently writes under Harlequin's new Kimani imprint. Michelle earned a Bachelor's in English and Master's in International Business. She works in the legislative and lobbying arenas with an insurance trade association in Washington, D.C., and resides in Maryland. See Region 1 Boundaries
	Ruth Kaufman, Region Two Director ruthjkauf@aol.com Term expiration: 10/31/08 Ruth Kaufman joined RWA in 1995. An active member of Chicago-North, Ruth has served as president and secretary and as PRO liaison for Chick Lit Writers. She’s on RWA’s Long-Range Planning and PRO Education Committees and belongs to Hearts through History and FF&P. Four of her manuscripts have placed in a total of 18 contests, including runner up in Dorchester/RT BOOKreview’s national 2006 American Title II. She writes RWR articles and presents various workshops. An attorney with a master’s in Radio/TV, Ruth quit her sales/marketing day job to write and act full time. See Region 2 Boundaries
	Cynthia Rutledge, Region Two Director CynRut@aol.com Term expiration: 10/31/09 Cynthia Rutledge/Cindy Kirk sold her first novel to Steeple Hill in 1999. After selling eleven books to Love Inspired and three books to Silhouette Romance, Cindy began writing for Avon and Silhouette Special Edition under her Cindy Kirk pseudonym. Cindy is a co-founder and former President of Nebraska Romance Writers, two-term President of Romance Authors of the Heartland (now Heartland Writers Group). She has also coordinated numerous retreats for both chapters. In addition she has served at the national level as a member of a Rita/Golden Heart Review Committee and as a member of the Agent Relations subcommittee. See Region 2 Boundaries
	Linda Howard, Region Three Director yolindahoward@bellsouth.net expiration: 10/31/08 Linda Howington, writing as Linda Howard, is a charter member of RWA. She sold her first book in 1980, and has written forty-something books since. Her twenty-fifth title, Dream Man, made the New York Times' best-seller list, and every book since has done the same. She has been active in her local chapter, serving as both treasurer and president, and has served one term on the RWA National Board of Directors as a director from Region Three. See Region 3 Boundaries
	Trish Milburn, Region Three Director trishmilburn@comcast.net Term expiration: 10/31/09 Trish Milburn is an eight-time Golden Heart finalist and two-time winner. After 11 years of writing and submitting, she made her first sale to Razorbill, the young adult imprint of Penguin, in July. Prior to becoming a full-time writer and copyeditor, Trish worked as a journalist, most recently as managing editor of The Tennessee Magazine. She’s currently the editor of the Wet Noodle Posse e-zine. She’s a charter member of Music City Romance Writers, which she’s served as president, secretary, treasurer and newsletter editor, and a long-distance member of Georgia Romance Writers. She served as RWA PRO Liaison in 2006-2007. See Region 3 Boundaries
	Terri Reed, Region Four Director terrireed@sterling.net Term expiration: 10/31/08 After years of pursing her dream of being a published romance author, Terri Reed has sold one novella to Barbour Publishing and eight books to Steeple Hill Love Inspired and Steeple Hill Love Inspired Romantic Suspense. Her second book for Steeple Hill, A Sheltering Love, was a 2006 RITA Finalist and a 2005 National Readers Choice Finalist. She has been an active member of Rose City Romance Writers for thirteen years, serving as a Vice President, Board Liaison, Contest Coordinator, Contest Judge, both on the local and national level, as well as helping with RCRW's yearly Reader's Luncheon for Literacy. She is an active member of FHL, MWVRW, and KOD. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs. See Region 4 Boundaries
	Maggi Landry, Region Four Director maggiwrite@aol.com Term expiration: 10/31/09 A thirteen year member of Romance Writers of America, Maggi Landry helped found The Heart of Denver Romance Writers where she has served six board terms, four as president. She has helped coordinate The Molly contest for unpublished writers multiple times. She also belongs to The Kiss of Death chapter and has earned RWA PRO member status. Maggi has also frequently volunteered at the RWA national conference. A former bookstore owner and registered locksmith/security technician, Maggi has worked in business for thirty years and been a field manager for over seven years. See Region 4 Boundaries
	Donna Grant, Region Five Director dgrant@gt.rr.com Term expiration: 10/31/08 Donna Grant has been a member of RWA since 2000 and a member of PRO since 2001. On a local level she's served as chapter treasurer, PRO liaison and secretary for the West Houston RWA. She also served as critique chair and PRO liaison for the online chapter Hearts Through History. On a national level, Donna was one of the original members of the RWA PRO committee, serving two years as team leader for the Advocacy subcommittee that developed and introduced the PRO booklets as well as the PRO Mentor of the Year award. After serving as Assistant PRO Chair, Donna served one term as RWA PRO Liaison. See Region 5 Boundaries
	Lorraine Heath, Region Five Director lorraine@lorraineheath.com Term expiration: 10/31/09 A RITA-winning, bestselling author of more than 20 published romantic fiction novels (Her current publisher is Avon Books.), Lorraine Heath has been a member of RWA since 1993. An active member of the Dallas Area Romance Authors, she’s served two terms as President and coordinated three conferences, streamlining the workload so volunteers never sacrifice their writing time. In 2003 DARA honored her with the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award for her service to the Chapter. At the National level, she’s served as Chaplink Advisor and on the Chaplink Focus Group. She’s also served two terms on the Novelists, Inc. Board. See Region 5 Boundaries
	Terry McLaughlin, Region Six Director terry@terrymclaughlin.com Term expiration: 10/31/08 Harlequin author Terry McLaughlin has enjoyed the benefits of membership in RWA for ten years and appreciates the opportunity to serve at the national level. She is a member of The Golden Network, PASIC, From the Heart, and several west coast chapters and has volunteered on the local level as Web mistress, contest coordinator, Vice-President, and President. A 2003, 2004, and 2005 Golden Heart finalist and 2007 RITA finalist, Terry holds an MA in English and has taught writing at the university level. Lately she has combined her love of teaching and travel while presenting conference workshops across the country and in Australia and New Zealand. See Region 6 Boundaries
	Julie Hurwitz, Region Six Director JBHurwitz@sbcglobal.net Term expiration: 10/31/09 Since joining RWA and the Orange County Chapter in 1988, Julie Hurwitz has chaired various committees, served as Co-President, and revised the OCC Bylaws and the P&PM. On the National level, she has served on many committees including Long Range Planning, Workshops and as the Editor/Agent Appointment Chair. She has also been a member of Passionate Ink since its inception. An original ChapLink Advisor, Julie served continuously as Chaplink Advisor before becoming Chapter Liaison in 2005. She has coordinated several Chapter Presidents Retreats. With her degree from Indiana University, Julie has worked in the television industry for 20 years. See Region 6 Boundaries
	Sharon Sobel, Chapter Liaison Srsobel13@yahoo.com Term expiration: 10/31/09 A member of RWA since 1994, I have attended ten national conferences and have most recently served as President of The Beau Monde, Treasurer and founding member of the Connecticut and Lower New York Chapter (CoLoNY), and on the Academic Grant Committee of RWA. Since my PhD studies focused on the Victorian novel, it’s not surprising that I’m drawn to historical romance, and have four published Regencies. My husband and I raised our three children in an 18th century farmhouse in Connecticut, quaint enough to provide inspiration, and large enough to give us all enough room to pursue our interests.
	Dorien Kelly, PAN Liaison Dorien@DorienKelly.com Term expiration: 10/31/09 First published in 2002, Dorien Kelly is the author of eleven contemporary romance novels and one novella for Harlequin Books and Pocket Books. A Golden Heart winner and RITA finalist, she has belonged to RWA for over ten years and has served as a Regional Director for three years. Dorien is a graduate of the University of Michigan and of the Detroit College of Law. She gave up the practice of law to embrace her first passion--writing.
	Sherry Davis, PRO Liaison clsadavis@yahoo.com Term expiration: 10/31/09 An RWA member since 1995, Sherry Davis received her PRO status in October of 2002. She is a member of North Texas RWA, Dallas Area RWA, FF&P and Elements RWA. She’s a former member of Passionate Ink and Kiss of Death. She has served her local chapter as a workshop presenter, Conference Chair and on numerous committees. She’s held local positions of PRO Liaison, Publicity Director, Programs Director and Vice President. In 2006, she served as President of NTRWA. When not writing dark romantic comedies or urban fantasy, she enjoys mentoring new writers, crafting articles or working on her blogs.

Description of RWA Regions

Region One Boundaries:
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont.
In Canada: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec

Region Two Boundaries:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin

Region Three Boundaries:
Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Region Four Boundaries:
Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
In Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan. All other foreign members.

Region Five Boundaries:
Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Region Six Boundary:
California

About RWA: Board of Directors

Linda Howard, Region Three Director

Description of RWA Regions