Leaving a Lasting Legacy Behind | Florida Public Relations Association

FPRA was founded in 1938 by Lt. Col. John W. Dillin. Since then, many past presidents have left their legacy and accomplishments with our Association. Thanks to their leadership and contributions to our Association, and our profession, FPRA is recognized as a leader in our industry.

2024

Wendy Crites Wacker

APR, CPRC

Pinnacle Awards Program Introduced

2023

Jay Morgan-Schleuning

APR, CPRC

2022

Devon Chestnut

APR, CPRC

2020 & 2021

Alyson Sologaistoa

APR, CPRC

2019

Gordon Paulus

APR, CPRC

2018

Ryan Gerds

APR, CPRC

2017

Terri L. Behling

APR, CPRC

2016

Roger Pynn

APR, CPRC

Leadership FPRA Program Developed

2015

Rachel Smith

APR, CPRC

Image Awards Program Centralized

2014

Chris M. Gent

APR, CPRC

2013

Jeff Nall

APR, CPRC

75th Anniversary at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, St. Petersburg

2012

Melanie Mowry Etters

APR, CPRC

2011

Jennifer Moss Wilson

APR, CPRC

2010

Sheridan Becht

APR, CPRC

2009

Lanette Hart

APR, CPRC

First African-American President of FPRA

2008

Suzanne A. Rains

APR, CPRC

2007

Jessica Rye

APR, CPRC

2006

Adrienne Moore

APR, CPRC

2005

Leah Lauderdale

APR, CPRC

2004

Carole Savage

APR, CPRC

2003

John McShaffrey

APR

2002

Tricia Ridgway-Kapustka

APR, CPRC

2001

Kathleen M. Giery

APR, CPRC

2000

Rick Oppenheim

APR, CPRC

1999

Lynn Schneider

APR, CPRC

KSC Inc. Chosen as FPRA Management Team

1998

Carol Trivett

APR, CPRC

1997

Frank Polito

APR, CPRC

1996

Janet T. Dennis

APR, CPRC

1995

Virginia Troyer

APR, CPRC

1994

Jay Rayburn

II, Ph.D., APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA

FPRA Introduces Online Bulletin Board

1993

Marilyn Waters

APR, CPRC

1992

Donna Z. Davis

APR, CPRC

1991

Karen Plunkett

APR

1990

C. Del Galloway

APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA

First Openly Gay President of FPRA

1989

Mickey G. Nall

APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA

1988

Bob Davis

Ph.D., APR, CPRC

1987

Cathlean Coleman

APR

Presented the first John W. Dillin Award to Founding President John Dillin.

1986

Mary A. O’Reilly

APR, CPRC

1985

Bob E. Gernert, Jr.

APR, CPRC

Executive Director 1986-96

1984

Patricia Trubow Hollister

APR, CPRC

1983

Kay Bartholomew

APR, CPRC

1982

Joseph J. Curley

APR, CPRC

“Quotes” Logo Introduced

1981

Dick (Richard) Whalley

1980

Wm. V. Fenton, Jr.

APR

Executive Director 1981-86

1979

J. Donald Turk

APR

1978

William D. Hunter

APR

1977

Roy C. Anderson

APR

1976

Bea Quigg

1975

Robert G. Jones

1974

A. Royce Godshall

Accreditation Program Introduced

1973

L. John Wachtel

1972

Vernon E. Bradford

1971

Doris Wilkes

First Women Elected President of FPRA

1970

James Turner

1969

Grover Jones

1968

Robert A. Dahne

First Paid Executive Director Beginning 1969

1967

James Hunter

1966

Stirling Turner

1965

Robert E. Phillips

1964

Philip E. DeBerard, Jr.

1963

Alan B. Fields, Jr.

Silver Anniversary Conference Held in Winter Haven

1962

J. S. (Jack) Peters

1961

Jack Shoemaker

1960

Cliff D. Davenport

1959

Royce R. Powell

1958

Albert R. McFadyen

1957

J. Blanford Taylor

Association Begins Program to Award Outstanding Work

1956

William S. Chambers, Jr., APR

First Chapters are Formed. Gasparilla (Tampa) is First

1955

Edward D. Whittlesey, APR

1954

Walter J. Page

1953

John W. Dillin, APR, CPRC

Founding President Serves Second Term

1952

Allen O. Skaggs, Jr.

1951

Robert Eastman

Name Changed to Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA)

1950

William Wells

1949

William Rolleston

1948

Russell Kay

1947

Frank Wright, APR

1942-1946

MacDonald Bryan

Served as caretaker during WWII as membership

1941

Ray Billings

Name changed to Florida Publicity and Public Relation Association (FPPRA)

1940

Milton Bacon

1939

Wilton Martin

1938

John W. Dillin, APR, CPRC

Florida Association of Publicity Directors (FAPD)