Seven members also receive their Accreditation in Public Relations

DETROIT, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Local public relations practitioners and students were recognized at the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Detroit Chapter's Annual Meeting held on Thursday, November 19th at the newly renovated DTE Energy Town Square.

Jack Harned, APR, and Mark Benner, APR, who have 90 years of PR experience combined, received the PRSA-Detroit Hall of Fame Award and the Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award, respectively. Students Jenna Huskinson and Courtney Siekirk received Donald P. Durocher Memorial Scholarships, while college senior, Elizabeth Trudeau was named the chapter's Rising Star internship award. Additionally, seven members received their Accreditation in Public Relations.

Veteran Public Relations Professionals Honored

The Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award, named in memory of longtime PRSA-Detroit board member and Bulletin editor, Robert Hefty, is given to honor an individual for his or her long and outstanding significant service to the PRSA-Detroit Chapter. This year's honoree, Mark Benner, is a strong supporter of PRSA at both the local and national levels, serving as an instrumental member of the PRSA 2008 International Conference Host Committee as well as co-chairing one of the most successful state conferences in PRSA-Detroit's history in 2006. He is also very involved and supportive of his local business community, serving on the board and executive committee of the Macomb County Chamber and chairing its PR/Marketing Committee.

"Great PR is all about engaging in dialogue that nurtures mutually rewarding relationships," said Benner. "To this end, being recognized by peers in the professional association that most values open, honest communications is a singular and humbling honor."

Mark has more than 40 years of PR experience and serves as the senior vice president of corporate communications at Campbell-Ewald. He is a native of Evansville, Indiana, and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana State University. He has been a Michigander since 1968.

The PRSA-Detroit Hall of Fame Award is the highest recognition the chapter can bestow. It reflects a candidate's significant contribution to the profession, to the PRSA-Detroit Chapter and to the community. This year's PRSA-Detroit Hall of Fame Award winner, Jack Harned, is one of Detroit's most distinguished PR professionals. With more than 50 years of experience in public relations-and an additional eight years in journalism-few can match Harned's background and accomplishments. Throughout his career, he has had communications assignments of interest and significance: with General Motors' Design Staff in the "chrome and muscle" era of the early 1960s; in a GM aerospace division with historic technology assignments for the Apollo moon landing program and defense missile and commercial aircraft; in GM's Washington office as the auto industry came under more strident government regulations; in environmental activities as GM developed and introduced emission controls and air bags; in Europe as GM reorganized its international operations; and with top management during corporate governance reforms and globalization in the 1990s. In addition to his professional experiences, Harned had the dubious distinction of studying under the late Scott Cutlip, a pioneer in public relations education and co-author of the classic textbook "Effective Public Relations."

"I appreciate that this award signifies the importance of the role and responsibilities of our profession to our communities and society," said Harned.

In 1995, Harned joined Larry Weis in forming AutoCom Associates, a public relations counseling firm focused on the automotive and technology fields. He is also an active contributor to the Detroit PR community, serving on the PRSA-Detroit Chapter Automotive Council and as director of the PRSA-Detroit Chapter Senior Council. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Harned earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin and resides in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

College Students Recognized Through Scholarships, Intern Award

The Donald P. Durocher Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Jenna Huskinson and Courtney Siekirk. The scholarship, named in honor of the late Donald P. Durocher, APR, Fellow PRSA, was established in 1992 and supports students in their pursuit of public relations education and professional development.

Huskinson, in her final year at Wayne State University, is the Public Relations Student Society of America's (PRSSA) National Committee vice president of regional activities. Last year, she chaired the Wayne State University chapter's winning campaign for the PR Apprentice competition at the 2009 PRSSA Conference. She is working as an assistant to WSU's School of Business Administration's marketing director.

Siekirk, who will graduate in December 2010 from Michigan State University, is the PRSSA's vice president of chapter development for MSU. In addition to her studies in advertising and public relations, she is an account executive at Healthy & Fit Magazine in Mason, Mich., where she is responsible for social media and website updating and for creating and implementing the publication's public relations plan.

The Rising Star Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional ability, professionalism and achievement in his/her internship. The award is designed to encourage student growth and recognize outstanding initiative in the field of public relations. This year's award winner, Elizabeth (Liz) Trudeau, is a senior at Wayne State University and is the president of the school's PRSSA chapter. She is also the former liaison/director of member relations and represented her chapter at the 2009 National Assembly in New Orleans.

Carrie Zarotney, president of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, nominated Trudeau after she interned at the Chamber earlier this year. Zarotney said, "Liz is hungry for knowledge, has a passion for writing and is truly engaged in finding solutions. I have been impressed by not only her work output, but also her resourcefulness, positive attitude and commitment to produce high quality results."

Seven Members Receive Accreditation In Public Relations

Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice and who are selected based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment. PRSA-Detroit awarded APR pins to the following seven professionals: Rebecca Johnson, account executive for The Quell Group; Kristen Stippich and Tim Wieland, both account supervisors at Airfoil Public Relations; Vanessa Birch, chief marketing officer at Dickinson Wright; Daniela Scholl, corporate public relations manager for St. John Health System; Monte Doran and Holly Clark.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals with nearly 32,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into 110 Chapters and 10 Districts nationwide, and 20 Professional Interest Sections and Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has more than 300 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States, including one Chapter in Argentina.

About PRSA-Detroit

The Detroit Chapter of PRSA was established in 1947 and is one of six founding Chapters of PRSA, the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. PRSA-Detroit is one of the largest Chapters of PRSA with approximately 400 members -- from students to seasoned professionals, who represent business and industry, agencies, solo practitioners, associations, nonprofit organizations and government entities. The Chapter is committed to education and diversity, and serves as a gateway to public relations professionals by providing educational and career opportunities for its members -- including conferences, professional development sessions, a consistently strong accreditation (APR) preparation program, extensive new professionals' development and other supportive activities. Visit www.prsadetroit.org or e-mail nskidmore@earthlink.net for more information.

SOURCE PRSA-Detroit

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