HispanicBusiness

Diversity Champion and Diamond Awardees -->

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America presented its highest, annual individual- recognition awards at the chapter's end-of-year Holiday Celebration on Dec. 8. These awards are the Diversity Champion award, which recognizes dedication to promoting and preserving ethnic and cultural diversity within the practice of public relations, and the Diamond Award, given to the chapter's "most valuable member" for 2005.

Gloria Rodriguez, founder, president, and CEO of Comunicad, Inc., was the recipient of the Diversity Champion award, and Tracy Schario, director of media relations for The George Washington University, received the Diamond Award.

"Ms. Rodriguez is the epitome of a diversity champion. She has built a public relations and marketing communications career that at every turn has fostered diversity and multiculturalism both here and abroad. She mentored over 50 Latina communications professionals as chair of the National Hispana Leadership Institute," said Jeffrey Lofton, APR, chair of the 2005 PRSA-NCC Diversity Committee. Ms. Rodriguez was named a professor of the Gallup University's School of Executive Leadership for her work promoting multicultural research.

Comunicad, Inc., has provided pro-bono service for almost every major Hispanic organization in the United States, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and the National Council of La Raza.

Ms. Rodriguez is a graduate of Rockford College, the University of Madrid, and George Washington University. Her career began in Washington, D.C., on the Metromedia News team, now Fox Television, as the only Hispanic producer in a major U.S. news market.

Schario, who served as NCC president-elect in 2005, was named the "most valuable member" for the year because she was actively involved in virtually every major program and activity of the year. Her service and impact far exceeded the normal responsibilities of her office. Schario has been an active member of the chapter for nearly a decade, having severed as co-chair of the International, Program and Sponsorship committees, as well as supporting the Thoth Awards for several years. She also served as board liaison for the redevelopment of the chapter's Web site and newsletter.

"Tracy was truly the wind beneath my wings this year," said chapter President Bob Bryant, APR, chief of command information for the Defense Information Systems Agency. "She made great things happen, and she ensured that everything we did was done well and was successful."

Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR, president of Keenan PR, was given a special award for her vision, dedication, and service to the chapter, including being the founder of the Independent Public Relations Alliance. IPRA is a section of NCC with more than 75 independent practitioners. Many IPRA members are extremely active in NCC committees and in the leadership of the chapter and have made substantial contributions to the success of the chapter. Evans- Keenan has served in several chapter leadership positions, including vice president, and this year, she was co-chair of the Programs Committee.

In addition to the presentation of these awards, Bryant reviewed the highlights of 2005, and Schario, who is the incoming president, gave a preview of her priorities for 2006. Judith T. Phair, APR, Fellow PRSA, national president and CEO of PRSA, reviewed the year for PRSA on the national level. She also congratulated NCC for receiving the national PRSA Chapter Diversity Award, given to the chapter with the most outstanding diversity program. Also, Tara Landis, APR, and Michelle Hudgins, APR, were recognized for earning their professional accreditation during the year.

The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America represents the world's leadership in the practice of public relations and is the essential network for practitioners in the Washington region. More than 1,200 members strong, the chapter provides high-quality and timely professional development programs, accreditation instruction, and networking opportunities. The chapter promotes public relations education through the support of five regional PRSSA chapters and a career academy for inner city high school students. For more information about membership, leadership, or events, please visit http://www.prsa-ncc.org/. National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America

Web site: http://www.prsa-ncc.org/