Communicator of the Year

The Capital Chapter established the Communicator of the Year Award in 2003 and we present it each year to an individual in the Tallahassee area who utilizes his or her position to enhance community awareness, understanding, and support for causes and issues through outstanding use of communications and public relations skills. The recipient should also be highly visible and well respected in the community for their tireless devotion to improving the quality of life in the Big Bend area.

2009 Communicator of the Year: Brian Rowland

This year, we celebrate the achievements of Brian Rowland, publisher of Tallahassee Magazine and President of Rowland Publishing.

History: In 2003, the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) introduced a new award honoring the Tallahassee area’s “Communicator of the Year,” which is announced at the organization’s annual Image Awards Luncheon in April. The award will be presented annually to an individual in the communications field who uses his or her position to enhance Tallahassee’s community causes, advance the field of public relations and uphold the ethical standards that represent the Capital Chapter.

While the award winner does not have to be a member of either the Capital Chapter or of FPRA in general, they should exemplify the highest professional standards in the communication field. Candidates can include journalists, educators and professionals from allied fields, such as advertising and marketing.

Criteria for the “Communicator of the Year” award:

• Candidates should represent the field of communications;
• Candidates should be active in the Tallahassee community and show how they use their position to make a difference in the community;
• Candidates should show how they contribute to the public relations profession; and
• Candidates should represent the ethics and values of FPRA.

Candidates for the FPRA Capital Chapter “Communicator of the Year” award may not nominate themselves. To nominate a Tallahassee communications professional, email Betsy Couch, APR. The selection of a winner for this prestigious award will be made after the review and recommendation of the Award Selection Committee and approval of the FPRA Capital Chapter Board of Directors.
For non-members wishing to view a list of the FPRA code of ethics, please visit www.fpra.org.

Past Communicators of the Year

• 2003 – Scott Atwell
• 2004 – Rick Oppenheim
• 2005 – Anna Johnson
• 2006 – Mary Ann Lindley
• 2007 – Julie Montanaro
• 2008 – Roosevelt Wilson