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About NAPRCA

Who We Are

The North Alabama chapter of PRCA (NAPRCA) was founded in 1972 and is one of six state chapters in the Public Relations Council of Alabama. NAPRCA has more than 100 professional and student members from Huntsville to the Shoals, representing corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, media, advertising and PR firms, as well as solo practitioners.

The North Alabama chapter is part of a statewide organization that was originally established in 1956. Other chapters include Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery, East Alabama in Auburn Opelika and West Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Our mission is to promote the ethical practice of public relations among professional practitioners and students, provide for the professional development of members, foster understanding within the community regarding the practice of public relations, and support the community through the use of members’ skills.

NAPRCA hosts monthly luncheons featuring professional development programming and networking opportunities. Learn more information about upcoming luncheons. 

Want to join us? Become a member today!

 
 

Our Relationship with SPRF

NAPRCA members are automatically members of our regional organization, the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) with four statewide organizations:

SPRF is also the organization that allows PRCA members to participate in the universal accreditation process conducted through the Universal Accreditation Board.

Our History

 

This list has been recreated from historical records but there remain some gaps. For example, board service has been based on calendar year and fiscal year – and in some cases it’s simply not clear where the changeover occurred. Note that APR designation is included only if the individual was accredited during their board tenure.

If you see errors or would like to add to our collective knowledge, please reach out to us!

YearName
2018Jessica Carlton
2017Jessica Carlton
2016Chantel Minish
2015Leah Gradl
2014Leah Gradl
2013Abby Guasti APR
2012Kristina Hendrix APR
2011Sonia Robinson
2010Dawn Speegle
2009Lori Miller
2008Monty Vest
2007Vickye Hester
2006Louise Heidish
2005Marianne Higgins APR
2004Barbara Nash APR
2003Stephanie Kelley APR
2002Karen Yarbrough
2001Louise Heidish
2000Karen Price Behr
1999Sarah Savage
1998Pat Osborn
1997Lori Light
1996Karen Schoening
1995Craig Dunn
1994Dana Staples
1993Janet Martin
1992Mike Simmons
1991Carol Malone
1990Leigh Tucker
1989Peri Widener
1988Marcia Cobun
1987Shirley Hale
1986David Bobo
1985George Winters
1984Jack Robertson
1983Bob Leonard
1982Judy Ryals
1981
1980Denise Grayson
1979Jerrie McLain
1978Lenora Grumbles
1977Suzanne Thames
1976Larry Wright
1975Jim Johnson
1974Tom Kenchel
1972-73Cleve Earnest
 

This list has been recreated from historical records but there remain some gaps. If you see errors or would like to add to our collective knowledge, please reach out to us!

Note that APR designation is included only if the individual was accredited during their board tenure.

As of 2017, NAPRCA has had at least ten local members serve as State President.

Term EndingPresidentChapter
2018Amanda Parker GonzalesMobile
2017Kristina Hendrix APRNorth
2016Josh Till, APRBirmingham
2015Lori MillerNorth
2014Lara LewisMontgomery
2013Jody Seal, APRBirmingham
2012Leigh Perry-HerndonMobile
2011Lucy Arnold SikesWest
2010Jennifer Jenkins, APRMobile
2009Nan Baldwin, APRBirmingham
2008Deborah Geiger, APRMobile
2007Adam Kelley, APRBirmingham
2006Karen YarbroughNorth
2005Joy Carter, APRBirmingham
2004Michael Tullier, APREast
2003Pat Hartman, APRMobile
2002Karen Price Behr, APRNorth
2001Carol A. Mann, APRMobile
2000Craig DunnNorth
1999Bill Todd, APR Birmingham
1998Rosemary Blackmon, APRMontgomery
1997Andra WilsonWest
1996Susan Nelson, APRMobile
1995Shelley MillerNorth
1994Jan Payne, APRBirmingham
1993Dave Rickey, APRBirmingham
1992Peri Widener, APRNorth
1991Judy AnthonyMobile
1990Charles Barnette, APRMontgomery
1989Holley Midgley, APRMontgomery
1988Bettie HudgensMobile
1987Jack Robertson North
1986Suzanne Fornaro, APRMobile
1985Chris ConwayBirmingham
1984Rebecca Pierson Mobile
1983Alys WilsonBirmingham
1982Denise GraysonHuntsville
1981Tom Somerville, APRPMontgomery
1980Shelby A. SuttonMobile
1979Lenora GrumblesHuntsville
1978George B. Elliott, APRBirmingham
1977Phillip R. Forrest, Jr.Mobile
1976Donald A. BrownTuscaloosa
1975Charles McKayMontgomery
1974Jean D. KingMobile
1973George Couch, APRBirmingham
1972Richard McGeochMobile
1971Parks Scott
1970Cleve Earnest
1969Roy McAllister
1968J.N. Baker
1967George Smith
1966B.J. Russell
1965Joe Goldman
1964Joe Healy
1963Robert Holloway
1962Ralph Sears
1961John Golden
1960Al Hollis
1959L.O. Bracken
1958J. Morgan Smith
1957Ray Glenn
 

The North Alabama chapter has a long history of excellence recognized at both the state and regional levels. In fact, NAPRCA has been named the state’s top chapter eight times: 2018, 2017, 2016, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1990.

Here is a list of the awards our chapter has earned by conference year (and if you can help us fill in the gap years, we’d love to hear from you):

Conference YearAwards
2018 Conference: PRCA Chapter of the Year AwardsSharon Heflin Chapter of the Year
PR Education, 1st place
Programs, 1st place
Community Service, 1st place
Chapter Management, 1st place
Membership, 2nd place
Accreditation, 2nd place
Communications, 2nd place
2017 Conference: PRCA Chapter of the Year AwardsSharon Heflin Chapter of the Year
Community Service, 1st place
PR Education, 1st place
Chapter Management, 2nd place
Communications, 2nd place
Programs, 2nd place
Projects, 2nd place
Membership, 3rd place
2017 Conference: SPRF Chapter of Distinction AwardsAccreditation, 1st place
Membership, 1st place
Programs, 1st place
PR Education, 1st place
2016 Conference: PRCA Chapter of the Year AwardsChapter Management, 1st place
Communications, 1st place
Programs, 1st place
PR Education, 1st place
Projects, 1st place
Accreditation, 3rd place
Membership, 3rd place
1st Place Chapter of the Year
2015 Conference: SPRF Chapter of Distinction AwardsAccreditation, 1st place
Chapter Management, 1st place
Community Service, 2nd place
Programs, 1st place
PR Education, 2nd place
Projects, 1st place
1st Place, SPRF Overall Chapter of Distinction
2014 Conference: PRCA Chapter of the Year AwardsPrograms, 2nd place
Accreditation, 3rd place
Chapter Management, 3rd place
PR Education, 3rd place
Projects, 3rd place
2014 Conference: SPRF Chapter of Distinction AwardsChapter Management, 2nd place
Communications, 1st place
Community Service, 1st place tie
Membership, 1st place tie
Projects, 1st place
Education, 2nd place
Projects, 2nd place
1st Place, SPRF Chapter of Distinction
2013 Conference: PRCA Chapter of the Year AwardsAccreditation 2nd place
Membership, 2nd place tie
Programs, 2nd place
PR Education, 2nd place
Projects, 1st place
2013 Conference: SPRF Chapter of Distinction AwardsChapter Management, 2nd place
Communications, 1st place
Community Service, 1st place
Projects, 2nd place
1st Place SPRF Chapter of Distinction
2012 Conference: SPRF Chapter of Distinction AwardsAccreditation, 3rd place
Chapter Management, 1st place
Community Service, 3rd place
programs, 1st place
PR Education, 1st place
Projects, 1st place
2012 Conference: PRCA Chapter of the Year AwardsMembership, 1st place tie
Accreditation, 3rd place
Communications, 2nd place
PR Education, 3rd place
2010 Conference: SPRF Chapter of Distinction Awards2nd Place SPRF Chapter of Distinction
2009 Conference: SPRF Chapter of Distinction Awards2nd Place SPRF Chapter of Distinction
** SPRF state the COD Awards in 2009
 

Each year, local chapters select one outstanding practitioner from their membership. That nominee is sent forward to compete with practitioners from the other chapters in the state. Among those nominees, one is finally chosen to receive the Public Relations Council of Alabama’s Philip Ryder Forrest, Jr. Professional Achievement Award.

Twelve NAPRCA members have earned the state’s prestigious award. You can find the full professional achievement award list on the state website.

The year corresponds to the body of work the award represents, not the year of the conference where it was presented. Thus 1978’s winner received the award in 1979.

YearMember
2015Kristina Hendrix, APR
2013Lori Miller
1998Craig Dunn
1994Karen Schoening
1992Leigh Tucker
1990Lynne Hereford
1989Peri Widener, APR (also SPRF PAA 1991)
1988Michael K. Simmons
1986George Winters, APR
1984Judy Ryals
1982Denise Grayson
1978Jerri McLain