The year of induction is included in parenthesis. An asterisk indicates that the member is deceased.
ELYSE HAMMETT, APR, Fellow PRSA
Elyse is the vice president of marketing and communications for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Elyse joined the Community Foundation in 2015 after serving the Foundation for seven years as a client from her marketing PR firm, Eos. Earlier in her career, Elyse honed her skills at Emory Healthcare and BellSouth where she helped transform and reimagine both brands until changing her seat to the agency side of the desk in 2007. From this seat, Elyse served Fortune firms including AT&T, Centex Homes, Disney On Ice, Feld Entertainment and HD Supply. Elyse was inducted in the 2022 class of the PRSA National College of Fellows and co-chairs the accreditation committee of PRSA’s board after serving as our chapter president in 2017. She also serves on the advisory board of the Junior League of Atlanta and holds various board-level responsibilities for COMMA, CFON, CFPAI and The Communications Network, all associations focused on education for communicators serving neighbors and communities. (2022)
ANA TORO, APR, FELLOW PRSA
Ana began her career in her native Puerto Rico, quickly moving up the ranks in some of the island’s top PR firms and serving as President of the Puerto Rico Public Relations Association. She relocated to Georgia in 2002 to work with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and has also served as Vice President of Healthcare for FleishmanHillard and as Program Director at ICF. She is currently Public Affairs Officer at the Office of the Associate Director for Communication at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ana has been a longtime champion for diversity and inclusion. She is accredited in public relations (APR) and a member of PRSA’s prestigious College of Fellows, the first and only Latina from PRSA Georgia to hold this honor. (2021)
John Walker
John founded Chirp in 2017 following a 20+ year marketing and communications career at multi-national public relations firms and global corporations, including Edelman, Ketchum, Publicis, Syniverse as well as formative experience at Planet Hollywood International Inc. and the Walt Disney World Company. Based on his experience, he envisioned a different way to service clients with dedicated senior counsel that develop and implement integrated programs, collaborating with in-house resources and existing partner agencies to deliver results that matter. Chirp is a next-generation integrated brand marketing, communications, digital and PR agency for B2B and technology companies. Before founding Chirp, John Walker oversaw global marketing communications at Syniverse, including positioning, branding, special events, digital marketing, as well as internal and external communications. In 2014, John transitioned to a newly created role to lead the company’s global marketing efforts targeting multinational enterprises as VP and CMO of the enterprise solutions business unit. Before joining Syniverse, John developed his B2B and technology acumen at two of the world’s largest public relations firms, and last served as Executive Vice President at Edelman where he led the firm’s southeast corporate practice and developed integrated communications strategies for clients that ensured they stood out and told their stories effectively. John has earned several industry awards, including a PRSA Silver Anvil, PRSA Georgia Phoenix Awards, IABC Golden Quills, and many others, and was recognized as one of 30 under 30 by PR Week magazine. He’s a past president of PRSA Georgia, an alumni of LEAD Atlanta and serves on the Executive Committee of PRSA’s Counselors Academy. John holds a Master of Business Administration in international marketing from Rollins College and a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy from Mississippi State University. (2020)
J. Michael Neumeier, Jr., APR
Mike Neumeier, APR, is CEO of Arketi Group, a public relations and digital marketing agency serving a wide range of B2B technology clients that include well-known brands as well as up-and-coming tech challengers. Under Mike’s leadership, Atlanta-based Arketi, which he co-founded, helps these companies apply intelligent strategy, messaging, PR and digital marketing to generate revenue and accelerate growth. The firm’s track record prompted the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) to name Arketi Group its Digital Marketing Agency of the Year. The agency has also been repeatedly recognized by Chief Marketer magazine as one of the nation’s “B2B Top Shops” and is a fixture on the “Chief Marketer 200” list. (2019)
JENNIFER GRIZZLE, APR, Fellow PRSA
Jennifer is president of The PR Studio, Inc. Hallmarks of her 30-year career include introducing Blue Bell Ice Cream to Atlanta, leading a regional car safety seat campaign with Midas Muffler & Brakes, supporting $1 million fundraising efforts for Egleston Children’s Hospital (CHOA), re-introducing single gender education to Atlanta for the Atlanta Girls’ School, and launching the Joe Muggs brand for Books-A-Million. Past president of PRSA Georgia, she also served as chapter co-chair for the PRSA International Conference in 2015. She created the Independent Counselors Forum in 1998. Jennifer received Georgia’s Luminary Star Award and was also named the Chapter’s Shining Star. Her work has received PRSA Georgia Phoenix Awards and IABC Silver Flames. She helped launch the Birdhouse Artfest for Habitat for Humanity. She served on the March of Dimes Achievement in Radio Awards board. She is passionate about mentoring and has volunteered 10 years with Girl Talk. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. (2018)
STEPHEN MICHAEL BROWN, APR, Fellow PRSA
As Chief Innovation Officer for Cookerly Public Relations, Stephen develops creative strategies to help organizations stand out in the crowded multimedia marketplace. He is proud to work on a marquee roster of clients at Cookerly including Mercedes-Benz, McDonald’s, Blackhall Studios, TSYS and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. He is also passionate about the art in Atlanta, as a past chairman of Actor’s Express, board member of Center for Puppetry Arts and advisory board member of Alliance Theatre and Serenbe Playhouse. He is founder/chief critic of his own blog, SilverScreenCapture.com where he reviews movies and sometimes reports from The Oscars. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, whose journalism student center bears his name, and a graduate of Leadership Atlanta. He is a past chairman of Jerusalem House and a winner of the George Goodwin Award for his combination of public relations excellence and service to the community. (2017)
HILARY HANSON McKEAN, APR
Serves as a Global Partner at Ketchum and as a member of its Global Leadership Council. In her role as Managing Director of Ketchum’s Global Practices, Hilary strategically guides Ketchum’s industry and specialty expertise leaders in the development of insights, innovation, compelling content and global communities. Hilary also oversees Ketchum’s Atlanta, Dallas and Canada offices. She is recognized for her work as an integrated brand strategist and millennial expert – from global segmentation insights to building engagement among Ketchum’s next generation leaders. Hilary specializes in building integrated brand programs that drive revenue and deliver a measurable business impact. Deeply committed to developing our industry’s next generation leaders, Hilary has twice served as head counselor of Camp Ketchum, the company’s highly respected global training program for rising stars from 15+ countries. (2016)
LORI GEORGE BILLINGSLEY
Throughout her dynamic 30-year career in public relations, Lori George Billingsley has developed and implemented breakthrough programs that meet organizational goals, target audience needs and produce results. She is currently vice president of Community Connections for Coca-Cola North America, where she oversees community giving, engagement and volunteerism for the company’s North America operating unit. Among her many honors and awards, Lori was named one of The Network Journal’s 2015 Top 25 Influential Black Women in Business and Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence (2014) from the Atlanta Business League. Lori earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations at Howard University and her master’s in public communications at American University. Lori also is an ordained minister. (2015)
ALICIA THOMPSON, APR
Alicia Thompson, APR, is senior vice president of consumer marketing for Edelman. Alicia has more than 20 years of experience developing and implementing public relations and marketing communications programs for companies and agencies including Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, BellSouth Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, Fletcher Martin Ewing and Cohn & Wolfe. Alicia served as president of PRSA Georgia in 2013. She currently serves on the board of directors of the YWCA of Greater Atlanta. She is a member of the College of Charleston Department of Communication Advisory Council, Women’s Foodservice Forum, Black Public Relations Society of Atlanta, Leadership Atlanta Class of 2008, National Eagle Leadership Institute and Board of Directors Network. (2014)
MARK DVORAK, APR, Fellow PRSA
Mark’s career has spanned agency, government and nonprofit – including stints as executive director in the Atlanta office of GolinHarris, chief marketing officer at the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and a public information officer for the City of New Orleans. During his career Mark’s teams launched United Way 2-1-1 – the nation’s three-digit phone number for community services and involvement – and helped drive a resumption of consumption of peanuts following a 2009 salmonella outbreak. Mark served as president of the Georgia Chapter in 2002, leading the creation of special interest groups to provide more industry-specific programming and networking for members. Nationally, Mark has been a member of both the Universal Accreditation Board and the Task Force for the Business Case for PR. He earned a master’s degree in journalism administration from the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s degree in communications and history from Loyola University New Orleans. (2013)
JUDY DERANGO WICKS, APR, Fellow PRSA
Head of Corporate Communications at Fiserv, the leading global provider of financial services technology. Fiserv acquired CheckFree in 2007, where she had served in the same role since 1999. She has spent her career primarily in technology, including heading the IBM account at Ketchum and Crescent Communications. She is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, a PRSA Silver Anvil award winner, co-chairs the PRSA Georgia Leader Board, and sits on the Advisory Council at the College of Charleston Department of Communications. She holds an MAJC from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in English from Stetson University. (2012)
MICKEY G. NALL, APR, Fellow PRSA
Managing director of Ogilvy Public Relations Worlwide’s Atlanta office. With Ogilvy PRfor more than half of his professional career, Mickey worked in OPR’s Washington office prior to coming to Atlanta in 2005. He is a member of Ogilvy PR’s global management committee. He was recently elected PRSA National Chairman & CEO for 2013. Named a Distinguised Alumnus of UF’s College of Journalism &Communications in 2009, he is accredited (APR) and a member of PRSA’s prestigious College of Fellows. (2011)
BARI LOVE
Bari has served as managing director of an international agency’s Atlanta office, as executive vice president of one of the Southeast’s largest integrated marketing agencies, and as vice president of Marketing for the United Way of Metro Atlanta. Previously, she traveled the Southeast as a writer forSouthern Livingmagazine. Her client work has earned recognition including the PRSA|GA Phoenix Award, PR Week “Product Brand Development Campaign of the Year” and the MAX Award from the Robinson College at GSU. Her career acheivementswere recognized in 2008 with the PRSA|GA Radiant Star Award. Bari graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama and earned a certificate from the Georgia Tech Management Institute. A former president of PRSA|GA, she currently serves on the boards of Central Atlanta Progress and 21st Century Leaders, and of Leadership Atlanta (member – Class 2006). She also is a graduate of the Buckhead Business Association Leadership Development Program. (2010)
RAY CROCKETT, APR, Fellow PRSA*
Retired director of communications for Coca-Cola North America. Ray has more than 30 years experience in public relations and marketing communications. He served ascommunications director for The Minute Maid Company in Houston, Texas, and director of communications for Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems in Marietta, Ga. Much of Ray’s career was spent in the U.S. Air Force. Ray is accredited byPRSA and is a Fellow of the Society. He earned a Master of Arts in Journalism and Communications and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Florida. He has served on the national board and several national committees of PRSA, was vice president and president-elect of the Houston Chapter, and currently is a member of the board of the PRSA|GA. (2009)
DENISE J. GRANT
Named honorary member of The Order of the Phoenix in 2008 in celebration of 25 years of service to PRSA|GA.
SHERRY TRECO-JONES, APR, FELLOW PRSA
President of her senior consulting practice since 1999, Sherry Treco-Jones is a strategic communications consultant with a 25+-year career in public relations and marketing communications. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, public relations and marketing programs, issue-based media relations, media training, branding, crisis communications and litigation support. She received her Fellow PRSA designation in 1999 as a career capstone from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She has served on boards of local organizations, and as president of PRSA Georgia in 1999, national co-chair of the 2001 International PRSA Conference and a member of PRSA’s national board from 2002-2004. (2008)
MICHAEL B. MANNING, APR*
Michael B. Manning, APR, is senior vice president of the Atlanta healthcare practice of Manning Selvage & Lee, one of the world’s largest public relations firms, where he serves clients like Merial and various biotech, government and public health organizations. In addition to his numerous volunteer commitments with organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, BioSouth, Cobb County Habitat for Humanity, Cobb Literacy Council, Mary Help of Christians School and Special Needs Adoption Council of Tampa Bay, Manning recently graduated from a four-year theology program at the University of the South. (2007)
ELLEN WEAVER HARTMAN, APR, Fellow PRSA
is president of the Atlanta office of Weber Shandwick, the world’s largest public relations firm with more than 3,000 professionals and 60 offices around the globe. Hartman has almost 30 years of extensive experience in corporate and investor communications, public affairs, consumer branding and strategy and has worked for some of the world’s most well known brands including Sprint, Coca-Cola, MasterCard, BellSouth, Kraft, Popeyes, Avon Products and Frito Lay. In addition, she has expertise in media relations and crisis management.(2006)
GARY W. MCKILLIPS, APR, Fellow PRSA
Gary McKillips is director of communications and external affairs for Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business in Atlanta. Active in community and industry organizations, he is past president of the Georgia Chapter and former chair and member of the Counselor’s to Higher Education Section of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).In addition to his public relations activities, McKillips is a free-lance sportswriter and broadcaster and has reported on Atlanta pro and collegiate sports for Associated Press Radio, Sporting News Radio, XM Satellite Radio, MLB Radio and WFAN Radio in New York. His article on former Cleveland Indians sportscaster Jimmy Dudley is part of a collection at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. (2005)
NANCY WOOD, APR, Fellow PRSA
Owner and principal of Communications Consultants since 1988. Prior to starting her consulting business, Nancy worked in corporate and hospital public relations. She also is a partner in the search firm, Agency I.D. She is past president of the Georgia Chapter and received the Dyar Massey Award for service to the Chapter in 2000. Nationally, she represented PRSA on the Universal Accreditation Board for seven years, serving as chair in 2003 and was elected to the PRSA College of Fellows that year as well. Nancy is a member of the Board of Visitors for The University of Alabama College of Communications and Information Sciences and a long-time member of the Board of Directors for Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). (2004)
LESLIE LAMKIN, APR, Fellow PRSA
Leslie Lamkin is a principal in Lamkin & Lamkin Communications on St. Simons Island, GA.She has held management positions in internal and external communications at Georgia Power and BellSouth in Atlanta, and at the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, D.C.Ms. Lamkin is an accredited member of PRSA, a member of the College of Fellows, and former president of the Georgia Chapter. Nationally, she has served on the Accreditation Board, Nominating Committee, as an Assembly delegate, and as Southeast District treasurer. Her many national, international and regional awards include the Georgia Chapter’s Dyar Massey Award and Phoenix Awards. (2003)
NEVA DIXON ROUNTREE
Before founding Rountree Group, she was a vice president of the world’s third largest agency. Neva has been profiled byPublic Relations Journalas leading one of the country’s most outstanding independent public relations agencies. It has been named to a national list of 25 Hot Smaller Agencies, twice winning Silver Anvils. She has been president of IPREX, a worldwide consortium of 50+ agencies; on the advisory board of The University of Georgia College of Journalism and president of its alumni association. A former president of PRSA|GA, she has twice been a finalist in Entrepreneur of the Year competitions. (2003)
LYNNE M. SALLOT, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA
An associate professor at the University of Georgia, Lynne has earned several teaching recognitions including UGA’s prestigious Russell Teaching Award and National PRSSA’s Outstanding Faculty Advisor. She owned a PR firm in Miami and has 14 years experience in agency practice for travel and tourism clients, large special events and nonprofit organizations. She has published more than 45 scholarly articles and papers, and edited the second and third editions of PRSA’s Educators Academy’s Learning to Teach: What You Need to Know to Develop a Successful Career as a Public Relations Educator. (2002)
MARY G. ACKERLY, APR
Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Director of Communications, Agnes Scott College. Mary serves as the senior communications officer for the nationally ranked, 115-year-old liberal arts college for women. She came to Agnes Scott after 16 years with the American Red Cross, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter. An active participant in several professional organizations, Mary was a founding member and officer of the Public Relations Society of America Counselors to Higher Education section and is a past president of the Georgia Chapter of PRSA. She was the 1999 recipient of the Georgia Chapter’s Dyar Massey Award. She currently serves on the board of the Joel Chandler Harris Association and The Wren’s Nest House Museum. (2001)
JAMES V. SHEAHAN
Retired director of community and state government relations for Siemens Corporation, Jim previously served as director of communications and public relations for Siemens Energy & Automation, Atlanta, Georgia. Earlier, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa; as a lobbyist and publicist for MGM Films; as director of public relations for U. S. Industries, Inc., in New York. Jim is active in many local and national organizations and serves on the boards of the Friends of Sierra Leone, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, the Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers, of the Emory University Public Affairs Advisory Council. (2000)
DONALD A. PERRY*
With Chick-fil-A corporate communications for more than 20 years, Don is now vice president of public relations. Earlier, he worked at General Electric. During his 1993 presidency, the Georgia Chapter won PRSA?s coveted Chapter Banner Award. Don was instrumental in launching PR Day, an annual event at the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. He has served on PRSA’s national minority affairs committee and has chaired Emory University’s Public Affairs Advisory Council and Berry College’s Public Relations Advisory Committee. (1999)
JUDI B. BORGO, APR
Director of Communication and Volunteer Services, Girl Scout Council of Northwest Georgia, Inc. Judi has held communication management positions with profit and not-for-profit organizations in Atlanta. She is past president of the Georgia Chapter of PRSA and has served on Atlanta boards of the American Cancer Society, the International Association of Business Communicators and as chair of the Public Affairs Advisory Council of Emory University. She is a recipient of the Georgia Chapter’s Dyar Massey Award and the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s Phoenix Award. (1998)
DONALD J. DOWNS, APR*
A one-time writer for United Press, Don edited newspapers and magazines in Newnan, LaGrange, Hogansville and West Point, Georgia, before retiring as director of public relations, WestPoint Pepperell (now WestPoint Stevens), a leading domestic textile manufacturing company. In his 36 years with WPP he headed PR activities in state and national textile trade associations. He’s past president of Southern Industrial Editors Association (1958), recipient of the Promotion of the Year award from Sales Promotion Executives Association for outstanding grand openings (1968) and PRSA Georgia’s 1982 award for public service. (1997)
DWAYNE SUMMAR, APR, Fellow PRSA
A resident of Albany, Ga., Dwayne retired (April 16) from HeritageBank of the South but continues to work at the company he founded, Dwayne Summar Public Relations, for his client of 18 years, Energy Insurance Mutual, domiciled in Barbados with operating offices in Tampa. Dwayne was formerly vice president of Southern Company and senior vice president of Hill & Knowlton, Atlanta. He also has practiced in Miami and Nashville. He’s past president of PRSA Georgia and Nashville, and he was national president in1988. He was in the first class elected to the College of Fellows, which was 1990. He received the first Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Communications at the University of Tennessee in 1994. He has served on advisory panels at the University of Georgia and the University of Florida as well as at UT. (1997)
WILLIS JOHNSON*
Retired vice president of SunTrust Banks, Inc., where he was responsible for corporate communication. Willis was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year in 2000 from Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. In 1977 he received PRSA’s community service award. He is past president of the Christian Council and recipient of 1986 Community Service Award. Willis provided PR leadership for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the United Way and the Georgia Bankers Association. He served twice as a Silver Anvil judge. Earlier, he was editor of The Southern Banker and American Soft Drink Journal. (1996)
IVY LEDBETTER LEE*
Born in Cedartown, Ga. in 1877, Ivy Lee began his career as a journalist and later became a publicist before finally helping to create the modern practice of public relations. Over the course of his public relations career, he counseled the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the Rockefeller family, the American Tobacco Company, among many others. He is remembered for making important and lasting contributions to the profession: advancing the philosophy that business and industry should be aligned with the public interest; working with top executives and only undertaking programs that had management support; maintaining open communications with the media; and emphasizing the necessity of humanizing business. (1995-posthumous)
JAMES J. WALLACE, APR, Fellow PRSA
Retired as director of marketing and corporate communication for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Jim is now president of the international nonprofit association SPELL (Society for the Preservation of English Language & Literature). He also taught Mass Communications at Piedmont College after retirement. Jim previously held senior PR management positions at Fulton Federal Bank, Ogilvy & Mather, Middle South Utilities (New Orleans) and Southern Company. He chaired the Emory University Public Affairs Advisory Council. Jim is past president of Georgia PRSA (1985) and a former Southeast district chairman; he also served as president of the Atlanta chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. He has received both the George Goodwin and Dyar Massey awards. He was formerly a U.S. Navy officer and a reporter/editor for The Atlanta Constitution. (1995)
DON G. REICHARDT, APR, Fellow PRSA
After 32 years in Bell System and BellSouth public relations and marketing, Don retired as BellSouth’s executive director for advertising, brand management and Olympics programs. He served as president of both the Alabama and Georgia PRSA chapters and as the Southeast District chair. He received the Dyar Massey Award. Don has been a volunteer leader for many civic organizations and is now a part-time consultant and freelance writer. (1994)
AMANDA BROWN-OLMSTEAD, APR, Fellow PRSA
President/CEO, A. Brown-Olmstead & Associates. For 30 years, Amanda has been at the forefront of Atlanta’s agency industry. Her activities include many board memberships in civic and professional organizations, including Central Atlanta Progress, the Regional Business Coalition, the Carter Center’s Board of Councilors and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. She earned two Silver Anvils, served as chair of the PRSA Counselors’ Academy and was president of the International Women’s Forum, Georgia chapter, and a member of its international board as programs vice president. (1993)
JAN PRINGLE
Co-founder and president of Pringle Dixon Pringle from 1973 to 2000. The company represented many national and international accounts including Xerox, Coca-Cola, BellSouth Mobility and Ford Motor Company. Jan’s many honors include the AWRT?s top award, several Emmys and Georgia PRSA’s George Goodwin Award. Jan is credited with helping rebuild Zoo Atlanta and is recognized by her peers for her commitment to the community, having served on 32 boards and committees. Presently residing in Fripp Island, S.C., she is involved with the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, St. Helena Episcopal Church and many freelance projects. (1993)
JANE E. SHIVERS
Shivers Consulting, Tampa, Fla. Former partner and director, Ketchum Public Relations. Jane began her career at ABC and was editor of a chain of weekly newspapers. After working around the world for Semester at Sea, she built a PR counseling firm which merged with Ketchum in 1986. Jane has chaired the boards of Zoo Atlanta, the Midtown Alliance and the Piedmont Park Conservancy. (1993)
LARRY LOWENSTEIN*
Special assistant to the Dean of Continuing Education at Kennesaw State University. Larry was formerly with the Atlanta school system for 10 years. Previously a PR executive with CBS-TV, he represented Arthur Godfrey, Leon Uris, Dr. Joyce Brothers and the Miss Universe Pageant. He holds the Silver Circle Award from the Georgia chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Kauffman Award from NAACP. He was recently honored for being a member of PRSA for 50 years.(1992)
JAMES M. MONTGOMERY, APR, Fellow PRSA*
Montgomery & Associates, counselor in public relations and marketing. Formerly, Jim was CEO of Southern Forest Institute and vice president of American Forest Institute. He was also director of public relations and advertising for Gulf States Paper Corp. Jim was an Air Force public affairs officer. He’s a past president of PRSA’s Alabama chapter. His civic work has included the Metro Atlanta Salvation Army advisory board and the Atlanta Kiwanis Club. (1992)
MACK D. SECORD, APR, Fellow PRSA
Retired vice president – public information for Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia. After a distinguished career as pilot and public affairs officer for the Air Force, Mack moved to Atlanta in 1974. He has served in all PRSA chapter offices and as Southeast district chairman. His volunteer activities include Kiwanis, United Way, Red Cross, Peachtree Counseling Center, Silver Wings Fraternity and Angel Flight. (1992)
GORDON SAWYER*
Retired from the agency he founded and served as chairman, Sawyer Riley Compton, Inc. Gordon is past president of the National Agri-Marketing Association. He has served on the boards of Pfeiffer Pharmaceuticals, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the North Georgia Journal. He is a member of the Business/Professional Advertising Hall of Fame. (1992)
GENE DYSON, APR*
Former acting president of American Red Cross, substituting for Elizabeth Dole. Gene, former president of the Georgia Business and Industry Association, began his career as an association executive a quarter-century ago. Gene is former chairman of the Georgia World Congress Center and has been included in the Georgia Trend list of Georgia’s 100 most powerful people. He received the American Red Cross’s Harriman Award. (1991)
ROBERT K. MARTIN*
From 1986 to 1991, managed public affairs for Coca-Cola USA. Earlier, Rob was with Carl Byoir and Liller Neal Battle and Lindsey. He held PR assignments for the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. His volunteer activities included the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and AID Atlanta. (1991)
SCOTT M. CUTLIP, APR, Fellow PRSA*
Dean emeritus, Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at UGA. Co-authored best-selling Effective Public Relations, a textbook covering PR history from the 17th to the 20th century. Developed public relations sequence at UGA from 1975 to 1983. He was a member of the Arthur Page Society Hall of Fame and 1995 recipient of the PRSA Gold Anvil Award. (1990)
HARRY D. HOLLINGSWORTH, JR.
Founder of Hollingsworth, Colborne & Associates. Harry’s PR experience includes senior positions with MARTA, First National Bank of Atlanta (now Wachovia) and Manning, Selvage & Lee/Atlanta. He received PRSA Georgia’s Dyar Massey Award for service to the Chapter and the profession. Volunteer work includes the Georgia-Pernambuco (Brazil) Partners of the Americas, the American Red Cross and the USO of Georgia. (1990)
C. RICHARD YARBROUGH
Retired vice president, BellSouth Corp. and former managing director/communications for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. Dick is currently a columnist for Atlanta Business Chronicle and other newspapers. He has received two Silver Anvil awards and the Georgia Chapter’s George Goodwin Award. The C. Richard Yarbrough Public Relations Laboratory at the University of Georgia was dedicated in his honor as part of the Georgia Chapter’s public relations suite. (1990)
HUGH K. RICKENBAKER, JR., APR*
Life Insurance Company of Georgia vice president and senior public affairs officer of the company and its parent, Georgia U.S. Corporation. He served as North American PR consultant for the ING Group, international financial services and a past president of Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. (1989)
CELIA COLE BOSWELL, APR, Fellow PRSA
Retired director of public relations for Georgia Department of Human Resources and the Georgia Office of Child Support. Past president of the Georgia Chapter of PRSA. Celia’s career in government PR spanned more than 30 years. She earned two Silver Anvils plus other national and Georgia awards. Her public service has centered on children’s issues and PR education. She served on the 1989-1990 national board of PRSA. She now resides in Cashiers, NC, where she is active in community projects. She is a member of the Board of the Friends of the Cashiers Library and the Board of the Union Hill United Methodist Church in Hiawassee, GA. (1988)
RONALD C. DAVID
President of David & David Public Relations Consultants. Ron has more than 25 years of PR experience in both military and civilian sectors. He served as director of corporate communication and civic affairs for Atlanta Gas Light and chief of public affairs for the military’s largest combat forces command. He headed the volunteer effort to coordinate the media activities for the 1988 Democratic National Convention and served as Georgia PRSA liaison during the 1996 Olympic Games. (1988)
FELTON GORDON, APR, Fellow PRSA*
Served as president of Felton Gordon Public Relations, founded in 1949. Charter member and past president of the PRSA Georgia Chapter and of the national PRSA Counselors’ Academy. Recipient of the Chapter’s Dyar Massey Award. (1988)
J. PHIL HARRISON, APR*
Partner in Harrison & Harrison, Certified Senior Advisors, assisting seniors in aligning tax advantages for those planning for retirement or already in retirement. During his term as Georgia PRSA president, the Chapter won its first Chapter Banner Award. Phil initiated Intercom, the Chapter’s first newsletter. His volunteer work has included American Heart Association, American Red Cross and Chamber of Commerce. (1988)
EVERETT A HAYES, APR, Fellow PRSA*
PR director of Lockheed-Georgia; represented Lockheed and divisions worldwide for 31 years. A missile and space pioneer, he directed PR for L-1011 Tristar demonstration tours. Founding member and president of the California Inland Empire PRSA chapter. After retirement he was a consultant in international communications. (1987)
ANNE POLAND BERG (Charter Member)*
Grant Consultant, The Rich Foundation. Anne is the retired divisional vice president/public relations director of Rich’s, Inc. Currently, she is on the Board of Trustees of the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center and Board of Directors of the Atlanta College of Art and the Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges. She serves on the boards of advisors for Emory University School of Medicine and of the CDC Center for Disease Control & Prevention Foundation. (1986)
GEORGE GOODWIN (Charter Member)*
Senior counselor for Manning, Selvage & Lee, George established its Atlanta office in 1965. He spearheaded the Forward Atlanta campaign in the 1960s and is widely regarded as the dean of public relations in Atlanta. The Georgia Chapter of PRSA named its annual award for outstanding community service the George Goodwin Award. While a reporter for The Atlanta Journal, George won the 1948 Pulitzer Price for distinguished local reporting. (1986)
RICHARD E. HODGES, APR, Fellow PRSA (Charter Member)*
Active in corporate communications in Atlanta since 1951, Dick was long associated with the pioneering advertising and public relations agency, Liller Neal, Inc., serving as Chairman/CEO in the 1980’s. Throughout a span of more than a half century, including retirement years, Dick has held leadership positions in some 30 professional, civic, charitable, religious and educational organizations, locally and nationally. He was general chairman of the first PRSA national conference in Atlanta in the late 60’s and the 1979 recipient of the national PRSA Paul Lund Public Service Award. (1986)
PAUL KARELSON, APR*
Retired from AT&T, where he was PR manager. He was president of Georgia PRSA in 1980 andreceived both the George Goodwin and Dyar Massey awards. In addition to remaining active in civic affairs after retirement, Paul was a licensed American Kennel Club dog show judge and traveled extensively in that capacity. (1986)
HARRY MALONE, APR*(Charter Member)
PR professor and chairman of the communication department at Georgia State University. Earlier, he headed his own agency and was founder and chairman of the Georgia STAR teacher/student recognition program. In 1991, PRSA Georgia named a scholarship in his honor. (1986)
AL B. RICHARDSON, APR*(Charter Member)
Was vice president for public relations for the Life Insurance Company of Georgia. He was also advisory director of Georgia U.S. Corporation, the parent company. A past president of Georgia PRSA, he was a life member of the Society of Professional Journalists and winner of the Atlanta Ad Club Silver Medal. (1986)
LEE ROGERS, APR, Fellow PRSA*(Charter Member)
Directed PR and advertising for 25 years, then served 10 years as special assistant to the president, Lockheed-Georgia Company (now Lockheed Martin Aeronautics). Lee was managing editor of The Atlanta Constitution. His honors and community service include Phi Beta Kappa, University of Georgia Distinguished Alumnus, Cobb County Man of the Year, president of the American Lung Association/Georgia, advisor to the president of the University of Georgia, life trustee of Kennesaw State University, life advisor to the Salvation Army, founding member and past president of PRSA Georgia and former national vice president of PRSA. (1986)
DOROTHA R. (Ric) WILLIX, APR* (Charter Member)
PR Director for Decatur Federal Savings & Loan for many years. She began her career as a reporter, working for newspapers in Pennsylvania and later New York state including the Erie Daily Times and the Syracuse Post Standard. She also worked in Pittsburgh for Westinghouse and two PR agencies. In 1972, she established the public relations department for Decatur Federal Savings and Loan Association. Ric held all of the offices of PRSA Georgia and served on the PRSA national board. She was the recipient of many awards throughout her career and the Georgia Chapter honored her memory by establishing the Ric Willix Fund for Public Relations Education. (1986)