Profile By Lindsay K. Saunders, Managing Editor and Secretary

1. Who are you and who is your organization? What does it do, represent, etc.?

I'm Emily Toone and I'm the founder and owner of TPS, Inc. TPS is a Raleigh-based staffing agency (although we have employees and customers nation-wide) that focuses solely on content. We employ writers, editors, graphic designers, instructional designers, and project managers. I'm exceptionally proud of the reputation that TPS has in the tech comm community. What do I personally enjoy the most about TPS? I love how we provide advocacy to both our customers and our employees.

2. How did you come to build a relationship with STC?

I was a member of STC before I founded TPS. Once I had my company it seemed only natural to become more involved. From day one, TPS has paid for our employees STC membership. For more years than I can count, we've been a Carolina Chapter sponsor. I think chapter sponsorship is one of the best avenues for me to give back. I've served on the admin council in numerous positions including president and past president. I'm currently a Director at Large and am working with council members to expand the chapter's reputation and get the word out about all the great things STC does for its members.

3. How does your organization fit into the activity and economic development of the Carolinas?

I'm proud to say that over the years TPS has hired hundreds of writers. Each writer/editor/designer that TPS places on contract is a TPS employee. It's a great feeling to know that we contribute to the economic growth of the area, especially as the economy makes its slow turn around.

4. What sort of connections or benefits have you gained from being a sponsor of STC?

I differentiate the benefits of being a sponsor from being a member. The benefits from being a sponsor are business-based. Business comes from the visibility TPS has within the Carolina Chapter. Sponsorship also adds to our credibility. Talk is cheap. It's easy for a business to say, We value our writers or editors or designers. It's another thing to put your money where your mouth is and actually give back to the community that provides those writers or editors or designers. The benefits from being a member are simple. The great networking that STC provides has led to long and lasting friendships for me.

5. When did you become a sponsor of STC and how long have you been a sponsor?

I believe we've sponsored the Carolina Chapter in one form or another since the late 1990s. We've provided hospitality at meetings for years. I don't remember a time when we didn't help with the Awards Banquet!

6. Where do you see overlap between what you/your organization does and the tech comm industry?

We help tech comm people get jobs and we help managers find great tech comm people. That's a pretty straight forward connection.

Lindsay K. Saunders can be reached at lindsayksaunders at gmail dot com. Learn more about Lindsay and her work on her website.