The Premier Session of the 2015 NCRA Convention & Expo, which starts at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 30, will feature several of the profession’s most interesting people. “These are people who are there because there’s something special about them – they all have something special or unusual to share,” says Dominick Tursi, an official reporter in Central Islip, N.Y., and curator of the Gallery of Shorthand. Tursi will emcee the event.
The session, titled Court Reporting at Center Stage, will feature twins Arnold Cohen, FAPR, CM, Westbury, N.Y., and Bill Cohen, FAPR, New York, N.Y.; Tami Frazier, RMR, CRR, Murrieta, Calif., Chase Frazier, RPR, CRR, Murrieta, Calif., and Clay Frazier, RMR, CRR, Los Angeles, Calif.; Mirabai Knight, RDR, CRR, CBC, CCP, New York, N.Y.; Mike Miller, FAPR, RDR, CRR, Friendswood, Texas; Sarah Nageotte, RDR, CRR, CBC, Cleveland, Ohio; twins Michael Scire, RPR, CMRS, Sarasota, Fla., and Richard Scire, RPR, Sarasota, Fla.; Heidi Thomas, RDR, CRR, CBC, Acworth, Ga.; Kathryn Thomas, RDR, CRR, CCP, Caseyville, Ill.; and Ed Varallo, FAPR, RMR, CRR, Grafton, Mass. (The two Thomases are not related, much less twins.)
Tursi singled out each individual for their accomplishments, saying that what unites them all is passion and the amazing way each of them has gained a special knowledge of the profession. “For instance, the Scire twins seem like average reporters, but they are so imbued with a love of the profession that they have a contagious spirit,” he says. “In contrast, Knight’s intense focus to create her systems is audacious. My goal is to help them share their passion and inspire attendees.”
Tursi himself is excited about the NCRA Convention & Expo for additional reasons: He is looking forward to seeing fellow New Yorker Stephen Zinone, RPR, become president of the national association – and in his own home state – as well as attending a screening of Marc Greenburg’s film For the Record on Friday night. In addition, Tursi will be offering his new book, Legends of Shorthand, through the New York State Reporters Association’s booth on the Expo floor.