PRSA GEORGIA CHAPTER RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONALS

The Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org) hosted its annual Awards Ceremony on October 29, honoring excellence in public relations practice and industry leaders for their contributions to the Chapter and the profession. More than 400 professionals attended the celebration, held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

During the ceremony, 77 Phoenix Awards and 71 Awards of Excellence were presented to the programs and projects that represented the best in public relations in Georgia for 2014. In addition, several individuals were honored for their demonstrated leadership and contributions to the public relations profession, including:

Lori George Billingsley, Vice President – Community Connections, Coca-Cola North America, was inducted into The Order of the Phoenix and PRSA Georgia Hall of Fame. The Order of the Phoenix was established in 1986 by PRSA Georgia to recognize and honor distinguished public relations professionals for their career achievements, significant contributions in the field of public relations and exemplary community service. Chapter members inducted into the Order of the Phoenix also enter the PRSA Georgia Hall of Fame, created in 1988 by the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at The University of Georgia. Billingsley has enjoyed a 30-year career in public relations. In addition to her current post, she has held a variety of leadership positions with The Coca-Cola Company, managed her own public relations consultancy and served as a vice president at Porter Novelli, among her accomplishments.

James W. Wagner, Ph.D, President, Emory University, received the Distinguished Public Relations Award, which recognizes a prominent Georgian outside of the public relations practice who has made an outstanding contribution to Georgia’s regional, national or international reputation through public relations practices and principles. In 2014, Dr. Wagner led Emory’s academic and healthcare units in addressing an unprecedented crisis – the care of four people who had contracted the Ebola virus. They were the first known Ebola patients in the Western Hemisphere, and their successful treatment in the midst of intense media coverage solidified Emory as one of the most important locations for innovative health care treatments in the United States.

Mary Dugenske, APR, Associate Partner, Atlanta Communication Practice Leader, Aon Hewitt, received the Luminary Star Award, which recognizes a Chapter member with more than 15 years of experience who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributions to the profession of public relations. In her role with Aon Hewitt, Dugenske designs strategies that help organizations achieve success in the areas of branding, wellness, talent, rewards and retirement readiness. She also serves on the PRSA Georgia Chapter board and is the liaison to the Social Media, Public Relations and Website committees.

Ann Cave, Director, Public Relations, Fiserv, was recognized with the Shining Star Award, given to a member with eight to 15 years of professional experience and demonstrated leadership within the Chapter. Cave leads the development and execution of both business-to-business and consumer public relations campaign for Fiserv. An active PRSA member, she is serving a second year as co-chair of the Professional Development Committee.

Ashley Biondich, Public Relations Manager, Phase 3 Marketing & Communications, received the Rising Star Award, which honors a member with less than seven years of professional experience who has shown leadership and contributions to the Chapter. In her role at Phase 3, Biondich provides strategic communications counsel to companies across a variety of industries. She currently serves as the co-chair for PRSA Georgia’s Young Professionals Special Interest Group and is a member of the Membership Committee.

Bari Love, most recently Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, was given the George Goodwin Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the community through volunteer service. Love serves on numerous boards and is focused on issues related to women and girls and the developmentally disabled. She most recently served on the boards of the YWCA of Greater Atlanta and the Power to Inspire Tribute Dinner for the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and as the Legacy Breakfast Chair for All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD). The award is named in honor of MSLGROUP’s Senior Counselor, George Goodwin.

The Best of Phoenix Award went to The Home Depot for “Warehouse,” the company’s internal social media platform. The voluntary-use community has been connecting more than 185,000 associates since 2008. Warehouse brings associates together across stores, departments, and time zones to discuss everything from customer questions to community service projects.

About PRSA Georgia:

PRSA’s Georgia Chapter (www.prsageorgia.org) consists of some 900 members throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.

The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as eight Special Interest Groups (Corporate and Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel and Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.

The Chapter supports 10 PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges: Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Columbus State University (Columbus), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens), and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).

Photo Caption: (L to R): Stephen Brown, APR, President, PRSA Georgia Chapter and Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Cookerly Public Relations; Michael Rambus, Manager: Internal Social Media at The Home Depot and Jay Harris, Associate Communications Specialist at The Home Depot.