
Lisa A. Bastian, President
Born and educated in beautiful Cincinnati, Ohio, Lisa Bastian is a San Antonio resident who has been pursuing coveted Texan “citizenship” (something given automatically after 20 years of residency, according to locals) since 2001. She is thoroughly enjoying a phenomenal career spanning more than two decades as a Writer, Editor, Production Coordinator and PR Consultant.
Over the years, Lisa has received over 35 global, national and regional communications awards and honors for her work, including numerous IABC Gold, Silver and Bronze Quill awards, and a prestigious global Marcom Award (1st place).
Working as a sole practitioner or a “hired gun” for other creative teams, she helps organizations nationwide communicate their messages, ideas and knowledge to their audiences via print and/or online channels. Clients served include those doing business in publishing, healthcare, crowdfunding, financial services, economic development, security investigations, information technology, travel/tourism, meetings/lodging, and other fields.
When the need arises, Bastian Public Relations also has the capacity to morph into a virtual agency bringing together project-specific teams comprised of senior-level communicators, designers and/or web consultants. (See Linkedin profile for details.)
On the volunteer side, she serves on the board of Allied Women’s Center in San Antonio (a crisis pregnancy organization) and Kickercon (a crowdfunding entity).
“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” —Aesop
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” –St. Padre Pio
B.A. in English Literature & Journalism Writing Certificate from University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
Five Brainbench certifications: Writing (top 5% of test takers), Written English Professional, PR Professional, Editing & Proofing Specialist (Chicago), and Web Design Concepts.
Qualify for membership in MENSA, high IQ society; former member.
Cleared at Top Secret level for work performed as Certified Background Investigator, federal, via Office of Personnel Management/CACI. Clearance good from March 2012 to March 2017.
Private Investigator license granted by Texas Dept. of Public Safety; November 2014 to present. (Also held Texas PI license December 2006 to December 2008.)
Writer, Editor and Production Coordinator for national and regional business, consumer and trade magazines. Writer of website content and site maps, social media messaging, marketing materials, press releases/kits, executive profiles. Author of well over 500 published articles, most written for national publications. 25+ years experience; including 15+ years in economic development, 8+ years in meetings/travel/tourism, and 20+ years in publishing. Interviewing skills honed by 2.5 years spent as background investigator working hundreds of federal national security/public trust clearance cases.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
- Global first-place Platinum Award (website design/website relaunch) for Bastian’s design work shown on this new website. 2014 Official award details/announcement coming 11/1/14.
- International APEX Award of Excellence (marketing/PR writing) from Communications Concepts for “San Antonio 2011 Relocation Guide,” a 110-page publication produced by Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. 2012
- Global Hermes Creataive Gold Award (writing/publications) for “One Less ‘Yes’ for Gardasil” investigative story, Celebrate Life magazine (American Life League). 2011
- Global Gold Quill Award won by IABC/San Antonio Board of Directors for “IABC San Antonio Reaches for the Stars” 2003 awards banquet.
- International 2007 APEX Award of Excellence (interviews/profiles) from Communications Concepts for “Tom Cusick: Boerne’s Famous Cowboy Entrepreneur,” Country Lifestyle magazine. 2004
- Global Golden Globe Web Award for original Bastian Public Relations website, from International Association of Webmasters and Designers. 2003-2004
- AFWork Award from AllFreelanceWork.com. The agency’s previous www.BastianPR.com website was deemed an “amazing” creative work by global judges. 2003
REGIONAL AWARDS
- Silver Quill Award of Excellence (writing, special projects), IABC/District 7: “Las Vegas: A Downtown Renaissance” (marketing brochure). Client: City of Las Vegas, Office of Economic Development. 175 entries in category. 1999
- “Best in Class” First Place award (special-section magazine or newspaper supplement), Literature & Sales Promotion Competition, sponsored by NE Economic Developers Assoc. (utilities and economic development entities from 11 states). “Tradelink New Jersey,” a 38-page quality-of-life magazine insert. Client: Public Service Electric & Gas. Given European high-tech firms to persuade them to move to NJ. 1997
- Silver Quill Award of Excellence, communications skills category, IABC/Southern Region communications contest (entries from 27 chapters, 14 states). “Preparing for the Future Pandemic,” Business SouthTexas. 2008
- Silver Quill Award of Merit, communications skills category, IABC/Southern Region communications contest (entries from 27 chapters, 14 states). InGenesis.org Web site. 2008
- Silver Quill Award of Merit, news category, IABC/Southern Region communications contest (entries from 27 chapters, 14 states). “Location California” (about state’s top industries), Area Development national magazine. 2007
- Silver Quill Award of Merit (special events), District 5. Again won by IABC Board for “IABC San Antonio Reaches for the Stars.” 2004
METROPOLITAN AWARDS
- Bronze Quill Award of Excellence (pamphlets, brochures, one-time publications) from IABC chapter, Las Vegas chapter’s communications contest: “The City of Las Vegas: Medical Technology for the 21st Century” (marketing brochure). Client: City of Las Vegas, Office of Economic Development. 1999
- Proliner Award of Merit, Women in Communications/San Antonio for “Preparing for the Future Pandemic,” Business SouthTexas. 2008
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit, IABC/San Antonio; “Preparing for the Future Pandemic,” Business SouthTexas. 2008
- Bronze Quill Award of Excellence, IABC/San Antonio; co-contributor for content/graphics/functionality of InGenesis.org. 2008
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit, IABC/San Antonio; for InGenesis.org content. 2008
- Proliner Award of Excellence,Women in Communications/San Antonio for “Tom Cusick: Boerne’s Famous Cowboy Entrepreneur,” Country Lifestyle. 2007
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit, IABC/San Antonio for “Tom Cusick: Boerne’s Famous Cowboy Entrepreneur,” Country Lifestyle. 2007
- Proliner Award of Excellence, Women in Communications/San Antonio, “Location California,” Area Development magazine. 2007
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit, IABC/San Antonio for “Location California,” Area Development. 2007
- Proliner Award of Excellence, Women in Communications/San Antonio for “James Avery Craftsman: The Man & The Company,” Country Lifestyle. 2007
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit, IABC/San Antonio for “James Avery Craftsman: The Man & The Company,” Country Lifestyle. 2007
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit, IABC/San Antonio. “Hi Tech Rethinks Its Selection Criteria,” Area Development. 2006
- First Place Award (promotional writing, flyer/brochure) from Cincinnati Editors Assoc. (CEA) publications contest. “Canada 2000,” 30-page brochure touting Canada’s attractive investment climate for foreign investors. Clients: Area Development; Canadian government. 2000
- Second Place Award (total communications, magazine), CEA Publications Contests. Member of editorial team which wrote four issues of Young & Healthy magazine (1999). Clients: Laine & Lane Marketing. Communications & Children’s Hospital Medical Center. 2000
- Second Place Award (total communications, magazine), CEA Publications Contests. Member of editorial team which wrote four issues of Young & Healthy magazine (1997). Clients: Laine & Lane Marketing. Communications & Children’s Hospital Medical Center. 1998
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit (website; under 250 employees) from IABC/Cincinnati. Entry: www.BastianPR.com. 1999
- First Place Award(reader information, magazine) from CEA Publications Contest: “Small Meetings: Cost-Effective, Flexible and Face-to-Face,” The Meeting Manager. 1996
- Bronze Quill Award of Excellence (features), IABC/Cincinnati: “Sexual Harassment: An Issues Update,” The Meeting Manager. 1993
- First Place Award (reader info, magazine), CEA Publications Contest: “Running Waste-Free Meetings,” The Meeting Manager. 1991
- Bronze Quill Award of Merit (features), IABC/Dallas. “Running Waste-Free Meetings,” The Meeting Manager. 1990
- First Place Award (interview/profile, newsletter) from CEA Publications Contest: “Doing Drugs” Mark and Christy Tell Their Stories,” Youth Update, St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1985
RECOGNITION/HONORS
- 2011 ~ BastianPR is named one of the “Largest Public Relations Firms in San Antonio” by San Antonio Business Journal
- 2010 ~ BastianPR is named one of the “Largest Public Relations Firms in San Antonio” by San Antonio Business Journal
- Bastian Public Relations website (original version) is named one of three “Best Dressed PR Sites of 2002″ (Independent PR Consultant category) by “Corner Bar PR: The Sassy Source for PR Pros,” one of the best (and entertaining) communications resource site on the Internet
- 1998 ~ Bastian qualified for, and became member of, high I.Q. society American MENSA
Here are some of the organizations supported by Lisa via volunteer time, present and past:
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), San Antonio, TX chapter:
- President (two terms), 2006 to 2008
- Board member, 2001 to 2012
Allied Women’s Center (crisis pregnancy center in San Antonio)
- Board member, 2013–; public relations activities
Kickercon crowdfunding organization (kickercon.com) in San Antonio
- Board member, 2014–; public relations/social media
Pro-Life Media & Communications
- Founder & Administrator of popular Linkedin group established 2008
- Over 1,100 members worldwide
Cincinnati Editors Association
- Board member; newsletter editor and annual awards gala co-producer
The Super Saturday Program for Gifted Children in Cincinnati
- Board member (7 years); PR coordinator and program guide editor


Areas of activity
- Writing, editing and proofreading for print/web
- Interviewing
- Research via Internet
- Publication production (magazines, newsleters, etc.)
- Project planning/execution
- Social media blogging/planning
- Public Relations: internal/external
- Media Relations: press releases, kits, plans, campaigns


