Portland, October 25th. An up-and-coming professional and two masterminds of communications craft received the coveted PRSA Portland Metro Chapter’s Awards of Distinction at this year’s Spotlight Awards ceremony. Honorees were nominated by their peers and selected via a juried process. Award recipient, Michael J. Riley, APR, PRC, principal of Riley Research Associates, enjoyed the evening at Castaway with his wife, Linda Osborn Riley. (Photo Credit, Taraneh Fultz)
A ranking research and communications professional in the Northwest region, Michael J. Riley, APR, PRC, principal of Riley Research Associates, received the chapter’s highest honor, the William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors lifetime achievement from an outstanding leader in the field of public relations. It is given to a PRSA Portland Metro Chapter member who has performed significantly in one or more of the following areas: developing public relations as a credible profession, accomplishing landmark professional achievements and furthering the goals of PRSA.
“Mike Riley’s contributions to the profession of public relations, and to our community and state, are outstanding,” said longtime colleague and PRSA associate, Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA. “Many of his clients, staff, peers and friends note his more than two decades of leadership and professionalism in the discipline of market research. We are fortunate to have Mike in our field, guiding us in research, trends, surveys and his applied knowledge, and we at PRSA congratulate him on this high honor.”
Julie Williams, digital producer at We the Media was honored.
Considered an indicator of people to watch in the PR industry, the New Professional Award of Excellence was given to Julie Williams, digital producer at We the Media. This award honors a PRSA Portland Metro Chapter member who has entered the field of public relations within the past five years. This award is given to a person who has demonstrated his or her commitment to the public relations profession through career achievements, volunteerism and dedication to improving the credibility of public relations as a whole.
“In her short time with the chapter, Julie has made a significant impact on the quality of member communications, as well as on the opportunities for new professionals to engage with the chapter. She is a rising star in our PR community, and I look forward to watching her continue to grow and develop,” said Taraneh Fultz, APR, marketing and communications specialist, Swagelok Northwest.
Katlin Smith, APR, principal at UrbanWords Group was honored for her leadership in the Vancouver, Wash., Chapter of Dining for Women.
The Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award was presented to Katlin Smith, APR, principal at UrbanWords Group for her leadership in the Vancouver, Wash., Chapter of Dining for Women. This award is given to an individual or organization for outstanding use of public relations to support community improvement and important causes. It honors a leader or organization that has helped improve their community through public relations efforts and achievements.
“Over the years that I’ve known Katlin through PRSA and as gardening buddies, I’ve heard her talk with excitement and enthusiasm about all of her interesting service projects. Katlin’s good deeds range from supporting or managing nonprofit projects and fund-raisers in her own community of Vancouver, as well as those that help women in countries far away. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Ron Schmidt Community Service Award than Katlin,” said Olga Haley, APR, Leopold Ketel & Partners.
Information provided by Jenna Cooper-Gross, PRSA Chapter President.
The Portland Metro Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of 111 PRSA chapters located across the country. It serves about 200 members from Oregon and Southwest Washington, with the mission of offering public relations professionals a forum for idea sharing, professional development and networking. www.prsa-portland.org
PRSA Portland is able to offer cost-effective professional development opportunities for area communicators with the support of these generous sponsors: Wells Fargo, Riley Research Associates, PosterGarden, Legacy Health, PR Newswire, Premier Press, CMD Agency, Your News Inc., Wrigglesworth Photography, Mac’s List, Ram Media and Eat Your Heart Out Catering.
