Tacey Derenzy And Jason Rollins, APR, Win PRSA Georgia's Chapter Champion Award

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Georgia Chapter, Public Relations Society of America

Feb 27, 2014, 08:00 ET

ATLANTA, Feb. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tacey Derenzy has been awarded the January 2014 Chapter Champion Award and Jason Rollins, APR, has been awarded the February 2014 Chapter Champion Award of the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org), in recognition of their dedicated volunteer work for the chapter.

The award recognizes members who have significantly contributed to the chapter's success and is given monthly or when appropriate. Both recipients were presented with a certificate and inscribed pen.

"I became involved with the Georgia Chapter last January after I moved here from Sacramento, and I was astonished to discover exactly how much the Georgia Chapter offers," Derenzy says. "Not only are the members professionally generous and national leaders, the seminars, speakers, and Special Interest Groups provide important insight to exciting and innovative emerging trends. I volunteered because I wanted to serve and be actively involved with this very impressive group of professionals."

Derenzy is owner of Derenzy PR & Communications, a consultancy that provides an array of public relations services to the greater Atlanta area. She has a Certificate in Public Relations Specialized Studies from the University of California, Davis and is a graduate of the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin in Harrison, Indiana.

Derenzy took on the lead role of managing all aspects of the chapter's Annual Award Celebration Silent Auction activities, including recruiting and indoctrinating volunteers, soliciting donations, and tracking donation inventory and its progress. She also created a dedicated Pinterest web page to be used as a tool to generate advance interest and help bidders obtain more intimate looks at the silent auction items from their smart phones. Under her leadership, the 2013 auction team surpassed all previous fundraising revenues, achieving a 59% increase in funds raised over last year – a new chapter record.

Rollins serves as Communications and Public Relations Manager for Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., where he manages all external communications and media relations on behalf of the global brand. He earned a BA in Communication Studies from UNC-Wilmington and an MBA in Marketing from Mercer University.

"I joined the Georgia Chapter for the ongoing educational and networking opportunities," Rollins says. "Many of the seminars and online educational tools have been invaluable, and there's no better environment to develop industry contacts and make new friends than here among one of the largest and best chapters in the country."

With a true passion for helping students and getting them excited about our industry, Rollins has been a member of the College Relations Committee for two years and is this year's Speaker Team Captain. In addition, he has served on the Chapter Awards Committee, Chapter's Nominating Committee and has participated in APR panels, Real World resume critiques and many guest-speaking engagements at area universities. Jason also earned his Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification in April 2012.

Because of this type of volunteerism, the Georgia Chapter ranks as the second-largest chapter in the nation and has been recognized for its best membership practices among PRSA chapters across the country.

PRSA's Georgia Chapter (www.prsageorgia.org) consists of some 850 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).