Three members of the Blue Ridge Chapter, Public Relations Society of America are continuing a tradition of chapter involvement in PRSA national leadership.
Former chapter President Laura Neff-Henderson, APR, Virginia Tech employee communications manager, was elected at the PRSA International Conference in October to be an at-large delegate to the 2013 PRSA National Leadership Assembly. The assembly has two responsibilities:
- Society governance (electing the PRSA board of directors and officers, amending PRSA’s bylaws, endorsing chapter dissolutions, and approving dues).
- Consultation with members (addressing issues of concern to PR practitioners and connecting local chapters to PRSA leadership).
Chapter board member Douglas Cannon, Ph.D., APR+M, a Virginia Tech Department of Communications assistant professor, is serving through 2015 on the Universal Accreditation Board. That’s the professional credentialing agency for members of PRSA, seven other public relations organizations and the Department of Defense. The board awards the Accredited in Public Relations credential.
Chapter board member Don Egle, APR, ABC, James Madison University director of public affairs and university spokesman, is serving as 2012-2014 national professional adviser to the Public Relations Student Society of America, college branch of PRSA. In this role, he advises national student officers, votes on PRSSA chapter charters and serves on PRSSA committees. Egle is a member of PRSA’s Educational Affairs Committee, as well.
Former chapter President Thomas Becher, APR, Neathawk Dubuque & Packett senior vice president, has completed a term as Mid-Atlantic District representation on the 2012 PRSA Nominating Committee. The 22-member panel picked PRSA members for 2013 national officer and board positions.
Three chapter members belong to PRSA’s exclusive College of Fellows: former chapter President Jeff Douglas, APR, Fellow PRSA; Vincent Hazleton, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA; and former chapter President Linda Staley, APR, Fellow PRSA. Election to the college, PRSA’s top membership designation, recognizes more than 20 years of public relations experience, demonstrates excellence in public relations practice, and acknowledges contributions to the profession through leadership and service. Hazleton, a Radford University professor, served on the PRSA board of directors from 2006 through 2008. Staley, Carilion Clinic marketing director, is a former PRSSA national professional adviser.
“The added responsibility assumed by these chapter members underscores their commitment to our organizational mission to advance the public relations profession and professional,” said Heidi Ketler, APR, Blur Ridge PRSA president. “Their great level of involvement lends credibility to our efforts to increase awareness about public relations throughout our region’s business community, and they serve as great role models to those entering the public relations profession.”
For more information, visit the Blue Ridge PRSA website at www.prsa-blueridge.org or contact Heidi Ketler, president, at [email protected].
