Bios

As president of PRfirst, Nicole stands at the helm of the agency that has built a reputation for ensuring best results for its wide range of clients, in addition to cultivating and maintaining relationships with media and influential professionals. Nicole joined the PRfirst team in May of 2011 as an account executive. Fast forward to 2021 when she assumed leadership of the firm, taking over the reins from its founder Jim Farrell. A Plymouth, Massachusetts, resident, Nicole brings more than 25 years of writing, editing, and media relations experience to her post, including work for the Griffin Report and Plymouth Patch. She is highly regarded for being an organized and cool-tempered professional…and for her creative mind and excellent communication skills. Nicole holds a B.A. in media studies from Ithaca College and currently serves as president of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth and as a member of the Leadership South Shore Steering Committee.

Jim, the founder of PRfirst, may have passed the torch of ownership to PRfirst President Nicole Joy Hales, but he remains as dedicated as ever to maintaining and developing client relationships, assisting with business development and account management. He is the former manager of public relations for Dickinson Direct in Braintree, MA, and vice president at Dubin & Farrell Advertising/Public Relations in Weymouth, MA. Prior to the public relations industry, Jim was editor and publisher of the Kingston Independent Voice and the Carver Independent. He is a former columnist for the Business Journal of Southeastern Massachusetts and continues to write on the topic of public relations for numerous multi-industry journals. With more than 40 years in the journalism and marketing industries, Jim has earned a stellar reputation for being a results-driven professional…and all around good guy! He is a proud member of both the Hanover Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Kingston Business Association Board of Directors.

As senior vice president of PRfirst, Colleen is at the forefront of increasing the brand awareness and public interest of its clients…and who better to do so than this industry professional of 30+ years. A member of the PRfirst team since August of 2000, Colleen began her career in journalism as a reporter and editor for the Amarillo Globe News in Texas, covering breaking daily news and writing feature articles. The award-winning journalist’s writing credentials include work as a freelance reporter and features writer for a host of Massachusetts-based publications and as a freelance editor for the American Heritage Dictionary. A graduate of Providence College, Colleen is an active regional volunteer, having served as publicity chair for the Norwell Habitat for Humanity project and as a member of Campus for Caring. She is currently vice president and president-elect of the Friends of South Shore Health, an organization which raises funds for and supports the South Shore Health System.

As senior writer/account manager, Sharon is responsible for crafting industry articles, press releases, and other content for clients. A member of the PRfirst team since 2005, Sharon is the former editor-in-chief of The Business Journal of Southeastern Massachusetts, prior to which she was an award-winning reporter, features writer, and arts and entertainment critic for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA. She has provided editorial work for numerous statewide publications and national periodicals, was host of the regional cable show “A Closer Look” and is a former restaurant critic for NECN’s “TV Diner.” Yes, she was paid to eat! Sharon is a graduate of Worcester State College (now University) with a B.A. in journalism. She is also a federally certified ombudsman with South Shore Elder Services.