Meet Jill Casey Pintor | Strategic Communications Professional and Ethics Chair of PRSA Southern Arizona Chapter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Casey Pintor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
After many years of practicing public relations (PR), I’m learning that one of my most important clients is me! As a PR professional, you pour yourself into promoting the impressive work of others, and that’s a superpower that should be celebrated. But in doing so, you can easily disappear into the shadows of your work. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that I need to do a better job of celebrating alongside and independently of some of the fabulous individuals and entities I so proudly promote.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My PR profession is best summed up as that of a storyteller.  So, here’s my story. I grew up in the border town of Douglas, Arizona. I was one of three children raised by a single mother. We lived in a humble home and experienced economic hardship throughout my entire childhood. My dream was to break the cycle of poverty and create a better life for myself and my family.

Although my mother grew up speaking Spanish, she almost exclusively spoke English in our home, as speaking anything other than English was strongly discouraged in those days. In fact, there was an “English only” mandate in the schools at the time. My mother worked as a professional secretary in her early adult years, and was a solid writer and editor. Those skills followed her home, as she would immediately correct any of my spoken grammatical errors. While I appreciate the value of proper English, I am thankful for my grandparents and the times when my mother let her guard down, that kept the Spanish language and Mexican culture alive in my mind and in my soul.

My Hispanic heritage and Mexican bloodline would later play a role in my professional journey, when I applied for a promotions director job at the local Telemundo affiliate. They were looking for someone who was bilingual and bicultural, which I was! My only challenge was that I looked 100% Anglo, because my father was English/Irish. I was so fair-skinned, that my grandfather nicknamed me, “La Gringa” (slang for English-Speaking Anglo-American). He also referred to me as, “La Abogada” (the lawyer). But, that’s another story!

I spent the summer after my high school graduation working two jobs. I was a lifeguard by day and a video rental shop clerk at night, before leaving Douglas.

I still remember that August day, when I boarded a Greyhound bus with all my belongings in a plastic garbage bag and left for college to pursue my degree in communications.

This was my dream since my sophomore year in high school, when I took what was then considered a vocational business course. I took interest in the coursework on public relations and propaganda. The concept of using communications skills to be a source of truth, persuade an audience to take action, or set an agenda intrigued me. For my project, I created a business plan for a PR firm called, “Sweet Success.” And, so it began!

I worked my way through college, bussing, waitressing, and bartending at a family-owned restaurant. I attended Pima Community College then transferred to the University of Arizona, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

My senior year, I did an internship at a small PR firm, which transitioned to my first “real job.” That was a wonderful experience. I was fearless! I was writing press releases and pitching stories to Inc. and Entrepreneur Magazines and getting published! I also gained leadership experience managing the agency’s interns.

My next job was at the local Telemundo affiliate, where I was the promotions director. I absolutely loved that job. There, I was in my element and thriving. I felt right at home with “my people” and earned the nicknames, “Güerita” and “Jilita,” because the name, “Jill” doesn’t translate to Spanish. There, I met Vicente Fernández and Enrique Gratas, who hosted a Mexican television show called, “Ocurrió Así.” I also rode in a limousine with  Maná  one of the most famous Mexican pop rock groups of all time, from the airport to their press conference. I met Banda Machos, Paul Rodriguez (comedian), and many other Mexican celebrities. I also promoted and facilitated a bilingual press conference for a local boxer in pursuit of a championship title belt. Every day, I met interesting local people who we featured on a magazine-style program, called, “Encuentro con Tucson,” which I directed and produced. I also exponentially grew my professional network.

My next career stop was Old Tucson Studios, where I was the marketing and promotions manager. This was after the big fire. My job was to present a series of weekly events, from rodeos, to celebrity chili cook-offs, to Harley Davidson roundups, car shows, concerts, and more. It was an action-packed six months, and I was ready to settle down a bit.

I would spend the next few years working for United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. There, I was able to generate awareness and secure media coverage for some of the charity’s accomplishments, including a successful $17 million campaign. To announce that, we partnered with a local TV weatherman who revealed the grand total while rappelling from a downtown skyscraper. Of course, it made the front page of the local newspaper! I generated so much media coverage in my first year at United Way, that the CEO dubbed me, “Rookie of the Year.”

Next, I worked as a marketing manager at a health and fitness club, which would soon be sold to a larger franchise, leaving several members of the management team, myself included, out of work.

This is where my PR career was almost derailed and my dream was nearly crushed.

It was shortly after 911, and nobody was hiring, as the economy started to plummet. It took me nearly four months to find my next job.

Out of desperation I had gotten my life insurance and cemetery real estate licenses. I was just about to start a new career selling pre-need funeral insurance, when I got two calls. One was from the credit union and the other was from a local hospital. Both invited me to interview for open marketing positions. Both extended employment opportunities. I chose DM Federal Credit Union, which is now Vantage West.

My career at Vantage West has spanned for 21 years! I started as a senior marketing specialist and worked my way up to vice president, corporate and member communications. I am extremely proud of all I’ve accomplished with the credit union. When I started, it was a $500 million credit union. Today it is at $2.8 billion in asset size. When I first started, there was a small marketing department. Although I was hired to market the brand new investment services division, I couldn’t help but notice they didn’t have a public relations program. So, I started generating press releases and gaining media attention for newsworthy happenings and introducing other communications initiatives, including branding. I also began to work alongside the CEO on special writing, PR, and community relations assignments for various boards and community activities he was involved with.

One of my greatest honors was winning the “CEO’s Award of Excellence” for my work on the website and other communications efforts. I also take great pride in my role in making Vantage West the first credit union in Arizona to win the Juntos Avanzamos award for their contributions to serving the Hispanic community. As I progressed in my career, the PR function followed me. Even as I took on other roles, I appreciated the opportunity to continue practicing my trade, although it did make for some interesting job titles. When I assumed responsibility for the website, other digital marketing functions followed. There was a time when my title was, director of e-commerce and public relations. Now, if that isn’t an interesting title, I don’t know what is!

Fast forward a few years, and there was a need for internal communications to keep the teams informed as the credit union continued to grow at a more rapid pace. There were mergers, a name change, several new branch openings, a rebrand, the introduction of social media and online banking, changes in product lines, changes in executive leadership, and more. And then… the pandemic hit!

Internal communications became crucial as nearly all employees at the corporate office were sent home to work. Keeping team members and credit union members informed about credit union happenings in the changing landscape became my life.

I’ve had a great career at Vantage West, and I have had the privilege of working with so many phenomenal people. But as I write this article, the winds of change are blowing once again!

I was presented the opportunity to take advantage of an early retirement from Vantage West. Although I love my career here, I’ve decided to accept the offer, spread my wings, and fly away.

My last day at Vantage West Credit Union will be April 1, 2024. But, I will remain a member and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

I believe what sets me apart from others in my profession is my passion and ability to feel all the feels deep down inside of me. To be a good storyteller, you need to feel the story in your gut.

Although I don’t have any set plans for the next phase of my career, I am looking to lend my talents to something meaningful. There are a few causes that I’m passionate about, and I’m going to start exploring opportunities there. My ultimate intention is to be able to give back in gratitude for the opportunities I was provided in my life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

One evening, we would go to the J.W. Marriott for the 5:30 pm tequila toast, then grab some food on the patio while we admired the glorious Tucson sunset. If there was live music that night, we would dance until our feet were numb.

At least one evening, we would hike Tumamoc Hill at dusk, so we could admire the city lights as we made our way back down. Later that night, we would grab some dinner at Charro Steak &Del Rey.

One evening, we would go Downtown to Hotel Congress, The Rialto, FOX Theater, or other venue with live music. Again, we would dance the night away!

We would squeeze in dinner at the Coronet Restaurant, in the outdoor seating area, of course!

If there was a home U of A Basketball game, and we could find tickets, we would go there to cheer on the Cats!

The last day, we would go to the San Xavier del Bac Mission, then go eat gluten-free blueberry pancakes at the Gourmet Girls Go Gluten-free Bakery. Next, we would head up to La Encantada for some shopping and lunch at North Italia.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I want to thank Melissa Vela-Williamson, M.A., APR for this opportunity to share my story. I’ve been blessed by the support of many people who have lifted me up so high that they inspired me to accomplish more than I ever believed was possible. This includes two of my former CEOs, Ed Parker and Robert D. Ramirez (Bob), a former boss, Richard White, my dearly departed “lunch buddy” and friend, J.R. Leung, another dearly departed work friend, Margarita Moreno, and my day one ride or die and BFFs Barry, Kim, Kimmy, Laurie, and Ami. These people have, at one time or another, made me feel like I was the most important person in the world! I also truly valued the leadership of Arnie Aros and Rene Almazán, as well as Tim Bentley and Raul Aguirre, who are Tucson legends, with inspirational stories. I was fortunate to have worked with both of them. I also want to acknowledge my recently departed mother, Sylvia P. “Patsy” Casey, who gave me her indomitable spirit, strong will, and perseverance. Finally, I want to thank my husband, Joe Pintor for helping me care for my mother in her final years of life. Without his support, during the toughest years of my life, I would not have been able to continue doing the work I love.

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/Jill-Casey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.casey.37