Awards
PRSA Detroit Chapter is proud to recognize members’ outstanding contributions to the field and service to the chapter through its annual Hall of Fame Award, Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award, Nancy Skidmore Distinguished Service Award, and Best in PRSA Detroit Awards.
The deadline for all award submissions is 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Nominate a PR Professional Who Has Made A Difference in Your Career
Express why your nominee is most deserving of this honor by completing the following and submitting it to the PRSA Detroit Chapter Senior Council Committee, which will evaluate all nominations and select this year’s inductee.
PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame: Fill out the submission form here.
Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award: Fill out the submission form here.
Please email your questions to Tammy Battaglia at [email protected].
Best in PRSA Detroit Awards
The Best in PRSA Detroit Awards are designed to celebrate and recognize excellence in the communications and public relations industries. These prestigious awards honor the creativity, dedication, and outstanding achievements of professionals who are making significant impacts across various sectors.
Award Categories:
- Media Relations: Celebrating innovative and effective strategies in media engagement and relationship building.
- New Professionals (7 years or less): Acknowledging the emerging talents and contributions of young PR professionals.
- Seasoned Professionals (15+ years): Honoring the expertise and leadership of experienced professionals in the field.
- Overall Public Relations Campaign: Awarding the most impactful and successful PR campaign of the year.
- PR For Good: Highlighting outstanding public relations initiatives within the non-profit or charitable sector.
Why Enter?
Winning a Best in PRSA Detroit Award not only enhances your professional reputation, but also provides an opportunity to gain recognition among your peers and the wider industry. It serves as a testament to your hard work, creativity, and commitment to excellence.
How to Apply:
Each entry should include a comprehensive description of the campaign or initiative, measurable results, and a demonstration of creativity and strategic thinking. Nominees do not need to be members of PRSA.
Join us in celebrating the best of the best in the communications and public relations industries. For more information or inquiries, please contact Tammy Battaglia at [email protected].
Best in PRSA Detroit Awards: Fill out the submission form here.
We look forward to seeing your exceptional work and honoring the achievements that continue to shape the future of our industry.
PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame
Induction into the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame is the highest recognition the Chapter can bestow. It reflects a practitioner’s significant contribution to the public relations profession, as well as to the Southeast Michigan community. APR and retired candidates are given special consideration. Hall of Fame candidates are not required to be members.
2021 Recipients: Georgella Bascom Muirhead, APR; Lisa Vallee-Smith, APR
2020 Recipient: Kelly Rossman McKinney, APR, Fellow PRSA
2019 Recipients: Colleen Robar, APR; Jeff Caponigro, APR, Fellow PRSA
2018 Recipient: John Austerberry, APR
2017 Recipient: Scott Simons, APR
2014 Recipients: Ruth Cain; Matthew W. Seeger, Ph.D
2013 Recipient: Arthur (Bud) Liebler, APR
2012 Recipients: James Bianchi, APR; Ronald Hall, APR; Lawrence Weis, APR
2011 Recipients: Dr. James S. Measell; Eleanor Wright, APR
2010 Recipients: Melissa Motschall, APR; Pamela Young, APR
2009 Recipient: Jack Harned, APR
2008 Recipient: Sandra M. Hermanoff, APR, Fellow PRSA
2006 Recipient: John Bailey
2005 Recipient: Ray Eisbrenner
2003 Recipient: J. B. Dixson, APR, Fellow PRSA
2002 Recipient: Steven J. Harris
2001 Recipients: Gerald Lundy, APR, Fellow PRSA Gabriel Werba, APR, Fellow PRSA
1998 Recipient: Jerry Sloan, APR, Fellow PRSA
1997 Recipients: Frank Hedge, APR; John E. Marston, APR
1996 Recipients: Anthony G. DeLorenzo; Donald P. Durocher, APR, Fellow PRSA; W. Calvin Patterson
1995 Recipients: Beverly Beltaire; Theodore H. Mecke, Jr.; James L. Tolley, APR, Fellow PRSA
1994 Recipients: Leontine Keane Cadieux, APR; John O. Montgomery, APR; John P. Casey, APR, Fellow PRSA; John David Williams, APR, Fellow PRSA; Robert W. Hefty, APR, Fellow PRSA; Frank B. Wylie, APR, Fellow PRSA; Dr. Alfred McClung Lee; Kenneth Youel, APR, Fellow PRSA
Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award
The Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award recognizes a practitioner for his/her long and significant service to the PRSA Detroit Chapter. While APR accreditation is not required, the candidate must be a member of PRSA Detroit.
2021 Recipient: Jennifer Flowers-Kolf, APR
2018 Recipient: Curt McAllister
2017 Recipient: Rich Donley, APR
2016 Recipient: Michael Isopi
2015 Recipient: John Austerberry, APR
2014 Recipient: Shelly Najor, Ph.D.
2013 Recipient: Jennifer Day, APR
2012 Recipients: Barbara Bartos, APR; Linda Hagan, Ph.D., APR
2011 Recipient: Scott Simons, APR
2010 Recipient: Lisa Vallee-Smith, APR
2009 Recipient: Mark Benner, APR
2007 Recipient: Mary T. Henige, APR
2006 Recipient: Wayne Mielke, APR
2005 Recipient: Melissa Motschall, Ph.D., APR
2004 Recipients: M. Renee Ahee, APR; Pamela Young, APR
2003 Recipient: Peter Shinbach, APR
2002 Recipients: Karen M. Spica, APR; Glen R. Foldessy, APR
2001 Recipients: Patricia Adanti-Joy, APR; Dan Vecchioni
2000 Recipients: Sharon McMurray, APR; Alan Stuart
1999 Recipients: John Bailey; J. B. Dixson, APR, Fellow PRSA
1998 Recipients: Catherine Ahles, APR, Fellow; PRSA Donn Shelton, APR
1997 Recipient: Frank Buttler, APR
Nancy Skidmore Distinguished Service Award
This award is presented to a member who has committed to PRSA Detroit's enduring strength as a respected and viable institution and has shown long-time dedication and responsibility to the organization, aiding in its consistency to provide quality programming for its members. Candidates for this award must be a member of PRSA Detroit.
2019 Recipient: Megan Bonelli
2017 Recipient: Karah Davenport
