PRSA-Detroit Elects Officers and Honors Public Relations Leaders at 2011 Annual Meeting

DETROIT, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Public relations professionals from across the region gathered together recently to honor experienced and new professionals for their outstanding work. The professionals, members of Detroit's chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), held their annual meeting on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The event provided members a chance to network, celebrate their achievements and look forward to the year ahead.

The 400-member chapter elected officers to its board of directors including incoming president Jennifer Flowers, APR, Henry Ford Health System; president-elect, John Austerberry, APR, DTE Energy; treasurer, Dan Artman, APR, public relations consultant; secretary, Debra Lacey, APR, Johnson Controls; and immediate past president Susan Ferraro, APR, Martopia Public Relations Group. The group also elected members to its 16-member board including Melanie Davis, APR, Adcraft Club of Detroit; Kim Eberhardt, Hennessey Capital; Jim Burke, Federal Mogul; Jennifer Marsik-Friess, Jemef Public Relations; and Tim Wieland, APR, Airfoil Public Relations.

"I'm proud and honored to serve as PRSA Detroit's chapter president for 2012, especially since I've been active in PRSA for 20 years," Flowers said. "My theme for the year will be around embracing diversity in our membership and programming--not just about race and ethnicity, but also about diversity in age, gender, sexual orientation, job industry and all the other aspects that make up a diverse community. In fact, PRSA Detroit will host its first Diversity Summit in February 2012 named after local PR legend Ofield Dukes and co-sponsored with Wayne State University and General Motors."

The highlight of the annual program was the induction of Dr. James Measell and Eleanor Wright, APR to the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame, the chapter's highest honor. The award reflects significant contribution to the profession, to the chapter and to the community. Measell and Wright enjoyed long careers as public relations professors at Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University, respectively. Both excellent instructors were recognized for their dedication to their students and the profession outside the classroom.

Scott Simons, APR, was awarded the Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding service to the chapter. The Award is named in memory of longtime PRSA-Detroit board member and Bulletin editor, Robert Hefty. Simons, a former colleague of Hefty, is currently senior specialist of media relations at DTE Energy and has served the chapter as a hardworking volunteer in a number of leadership roles, including board of directors member, 2002-2009; 2008 chapter president; PRSA Assembly delegate several times; and 2008 Detroit PRSA International Conference Host Committee co-chair.

In addition to honoring these esteemed colleagues, the chapter awarded the PRSA Detroit Education Fund Scholarships. Two Wayne State University public relations students Liliana Medina and Tyler Gawenda were honored with Donald P. Durocher Memorial Scholarships. The scholarships, 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.

Finally, members were honored who have furthered the profession throughout the past year through their participation in the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) program and the Ethics Honors Code Program. Newly accredited members include Sharon Garcia, APR; Sheila McKean, APR; Megan Soule, APR; and Jennifer Wilt, APR. This mark of distinction demonstrates a commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice.

The Ethics Honors Code Program – an educational toolkit to enable PR practitioners to further their understanding of ethical matters in the workplace.  To date, 137 participants representing solo practitioners and 21 local organizations were honored for participating in the program.

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 with nearly 32,000 professional and student members. 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, follow PRSA-Detroit on Twitter (@PRSADetroit) and Facebook (PRSA Detroit Chapter), or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

SOURCE PRSA-Detroit