By Emmy Kyllonen, Interim President and CEO, Florida Outdoor Advertising Association

After 27 years of leadership and dedication to the advancement of the outdoor advertising industry, Charlotte Audie has retired from her role as President and CEO of the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association (FOAA).

Audie has left her legacy as a champion for public safety and a nationally recognized leader in outdoor advertising. During her nearly three decades of leadership, Audie led FOAA’s fight for just compensation. The passage of this landmark legislation ensures that if the government takes property rights from businesses or individuals in the industry, that they will be fairly compensated. This years-long battle and ultimate success made Florida the first in the nation with these protections.

“Charlotte’s work made a difference for the FOAA and the state of Florida by helping shape one of the most effective legislative state outcomes positively for the industry,” said Joe Garner, Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Public Affairs for Clear Channel Outdoor. “No state has had more wins in property rights than Florida for the Out-of-Home industry. It’s become a staple of what every state wants for property rights and just compensation.”

Audie was a strong advocate for the industry with a winning personality. “Charlotte has consistently shown incredible resilience in the face of countless obstacles, especially when it comes to how she handles pressure and manages to smooth over any rough waters that come her way,” said Kathy Oertel Peters, Lakeland Outdoor Advertising Association.

She understood the value of developing relationships with legislators, state agencies and other associations and ultimately, how to compromise when necessary. She often said she “learned early on that pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered.”

Florida’s statewide public service program is best in class. It is a win-win-win program that generates millions of dollars in advertising space for important statewide causes. The public service program utilizes donated space on member billboards that help fund the association.

Audie has been a changemaker for statewide public safety programs. Under her guidance, the FOAA Public Service program created Florida’s Amber Alert program which was later taken nationwide. She worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on high-profile cases that led to the apprehension of several notorious criminals.

Under her leadership, the association created the Emergency Response, which has been recognized as a FEMA Best Practice and replicated at the national level. During hurricane season and other evacuation events, FOAA is part of the state’s response team and provides shelter information, evacuation routes and other important information on its digital boards at no charge to the state- once again demonstrating the value of digital billboards. Through these partnerships, Audie’s efforts have helped save lives and reinforced the vital role of outdoor advertising in Florida’s communities.

Her work as an industry leader is underpinned by her dedication to making a lasting difference in her Florida community. Charlotte has been an active board member for organizations like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement/Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board, Florida Chamber of Commerce Political Institute, Covenant Hospice, and Visit Florida.

In 2019, she was inducted into the Outdoor Advertising Association of America’s (OAAA) Hall of Fame, an honor for leaders whose innovation and vision have left a generational impact.

As Charlotte Audie enters her greatly deserved retirement, her vision and efforts for the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association will continue to improve statewide communities for years to come.

“FOAA is such a special organization, and I’m proud to have led us through some great years. Together, we created the nation’s best Outdoor Advertising Public Service Program,” says Audie. “Thank you for the privilege of serving. I’m excited for FOAA’s next chapter.”

Emmy Kyllonen, Public Service and Communications Director for the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association has been voted in as Interim President and CEO of the association. She has been Charlotte’s right hand for the past several years and as she says “Charlotte has taught me everything I know about the outdoor advertising industry. I want to continue her legacy of strong leadership and integrity.

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