Honorees Recognized at 2010 Apex Awards Luncheon

Posted May 26, 2010

Professional communicators were honored for their work May 26 with the presentation of the 2010 Apex awards by the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. During a luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Rogers, the chapter recognized Delia Haak, executive director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, as Communicator of the Year. The chapter honored one of its own members, Christi Gallagher, APR, as Public Relations Professional of the Year. Gallagher is senior manager for public relations and brand reputation at Wal-Mart Stores.

Delia Haak (left) accepts Communicator of the Year Award from chapter president Leigh Allison, APR.

Haak joined the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) as executive director in May 2007. The IRWP is a broad-based non-profit organization that seeks to represent and balance diverse stakeholder interests. The watershed spans 1.1 million acres, two state lines, seven counties, over 20 municipalities, and more than 300,000 stakeholders. The IRWP seeks to work across political and geographic boundaries to deliver education and outreach programs and implement conservation projects.  Haak also serves as a board member for Arvest Bank SL and is an adjunct graduate business faculty member at John Brown University in Siloam Springs.  Delia, husband Bill and their children and grandchildren are also the 2009 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year.  

Gallagher joined the PRSA chapter in 2008 and immediately assumed several key leadership roles. She serves as president-elect and membership chair. Her efforts helped the chapter grow by 60 percent, which resulted in the chapter being recognized by the national PRSA organization as Boutique Chapter of the Quarter and Small Chapter of the Quarter. She was coordinator of the chapter’s first communications conference and organized its Blogger Boot Camp.

Christi Gallagher, APR (left), accepts the Public Relations Professional of the Year Award from chapter president Leigh Allison, APR.

Several other awards were also presented in these categories:

Public Relations Campaigns – Wal-Mart Stores for the Wal-Mart Healthy Families H1N1 Flu Shot Campaign.

Special Events and Observances – Southwestern Energy with Mitchell Communications Group for the five-year anniversary of the Fayetteville Shale Play.

Website – Southwestern Energy with Mitchell Communications Group for the Southwestern Energy website.

Social Media – Tyson Foods with Mitchell Communications Group for the Tyson Foods Lift Up America event at the University of Arkansas.

Press Conferences – Tyson Foods with Mitchell Communications Group for the Tyson Foods Lift Up America event at the University of Arkansas.

Printed Materials: Feature Story – Southwestern Energy with Mitchell Communications Group for “A Bird’s Eye View.”

Printed Materials: Brochure – Southwestern Energy with Mitchell Communications Group for the Southwestern Energy recruiting brochure.

Printed Materials: Magazine – University of Arkansas University Relations for Arkansas magazine.

Printed Materials: Annual Report – United Way of Northwest Arkansas for “How We Live United: 2008 Annual Report.”

Leigh Allison, APR (left), presents the Special Events and Observances Award to Ashley Harris, accepting on behalf of Mitchell Communications Group and Southwestern Energy.		Leigh Allson, APR (left), presents the Websites Award and the Printed Materials:Brochure Award to Bridget Schultz, accepting on behalf of Mitchell Communications Group and Southwestern Energy.

Leigh Allison, APR (left), presents the Printed Materials: Annual Report Award to Brooke Benoit, accepting on behalf of United Way of Northwest Arkansas.		Leigh Allson, APR (left), presents the Press Conferences Award to Ed Nicholson, APR, accepting on behalf of Tyson Foods and Mitchell Communications Group.

Leigh Allson, APR (left), presents the Printed Materials: Annual Report Award to Laura Jacobs, accepting on behalf of University of Arkansas University Relations.