The Update

1/2006

Welcome to the official newsletter of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter. Past issues can be found by going to www.prsaspokane.org and clicking on the "Newsletters" link.

The Greater Spokane chapter of PRSA will be celebrating and honoring Pat Lynch and Brian Benzel, two individuals who have shown excellence in communications, at the Friday, Jan. 6, joint SPRC/PRSA meeting.

The meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. at Cataldo Hall on the Gonzaga University campus. Cost is $9 for PRSA and SPRC members, $7 for students, and $11 for non-members.

The award recipients are:

Brian Benzel, Ph.D., superintendent of Spokane Public Schools, is the 2005 Communicator of the Year. The award recognizes excellence in communications leadership by a CEO whose achievements include the effective use of communications to reach business objectives.

Dr. Benzel has consistently shown successful leadership in his communications for both his personal life and the Spokane Public Schools. He has shown through his experience in local, state and national policymaking as well as private sector experience in educational consulting and business development. He has shown expertise in state-level legislative work advocating for the students of all districts with his work.

Benzel’s communication style is approachable and shows a style that supports communication from the family to the legislative powers.

Patrick Lynch, APR, director of energy solutions for Avista Utilities, has been awarded the Degerness Award for Excellence in Public Relations. The award is the highest achievement for a Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter member. It is presented in recognition of a lifetime of public relations work and excellence, and for support of the PRSA chapter and activities.

Lynch has been a member of PRSA since 1991, has served on the PRSA board and served as president of the Greater Spokane Chapter in 1996.

He has remained actively involved as a supporter of PRSA and has furthered the organization’s goal through ongoing financial support for PRSA as well as encouraging his communications staff to participate.

Throughout his tenure in corporate communications, he’s helped Avista manage through several noteworthy events, including the possible merger with Sierra Pacific, Firestorm, Ice Storm, the company’s name change from Washington Water Power to Avista, Y2K preparations and the energy crisis.

When working through such significant issues, Pat is able to balance the needs of Avista’s four major stakeholders – the customers, employees, communities and shareholders understanding the delicate balance that is necessary to succeed on all fronts.

As director of energy solutions, Lynch, a 23-year employee of Avista, is responsible for leading the company’s energy efficiency programs in three states, commercial and industrial account management, and marketing, product and service development, and corporate sponsorships. Prior to his promotion, Lynch served as director of corporate communications for Avista Corp. for five years, corporate brand manager, and was a member of the corporate communications team. His duties with the company have included investor communications, media relations, issues management, publicity, advertising, employee communications, marketing, and event management.

back to top

Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter members elected two new board members and re-elected a third to govern the organization in 2006.

New board members are Christine Bieker, outreach coordinator for the USDA Farm Service Agency, and Lance Kissler, health communications specialist for the NIOSH Spokane Research Lab. Re-elected to a second three-year term is Maggie Crabtree, APR, public relations director for Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane.

Garry Matlow, communications specialist for The Arc of Spokane, will serve as chapter president for 2006. Tamitha Anderson, account coordinator for Desautel Hege Communications, will serve as president elect. Other board member roles will be decided at the board retreat Jan. 14.

Also serving on the board are Steve Blewett, ABC, associate professor and journalism department director at Eastern Washington University; Annie Matlow, director of marketing and public relations for the Spokane Symphony; and Maria Ranniger, owner of MTR Communications.

Ann Nolan, fundraising coordinator for Second Harvest Inland Northwest, has completed her service on the board.

back to top

Cary A. Greenwood, APR, 1991 Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter president, is one of 24 new members elected to the prestigious PRSA College of Fellows.

Greenwood worked for Washington Water Power (now Avista Corp.) during her time in Spokane, She currently is pursuing her doctorate in communication and society at the University of Oregon. She is 2006 chair of the PRSA North Pacific District.

Election to the College of Fellows is based on lifetime achievement and is a professional honor awarded to senior practitioners and educators. Fellows are called on ot continue their service to the profession through the college. There are 452 members of the College of Fellows out of nearly 21,000 PRSA members nationwide.

back to top

The Magnum PR Wine-Tasting and Benefit Auction on Dec. 1 raised more than $2,100 for student scholarships.

The hearty souls that braved the snow to attend the event at the Corbin Art Center on Seventh Avenue found a covivial gathering and spirited bidding on silent auction and live auction items. Wines from Knipprath Cellars were featured.

Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for members of the the three PRSSA chapters in the Inland Northwest: Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University and Washington State University.

back to top

Judy DeHaas, APR
RR 1, Box 134
Greencreek, ID 83533
Phone: (208) 507-1022
judydehaas@yahoo.com

Christine Varela
PR Specialist
Empire Health Services
800 W. 5th Ave.
Spokane, WA 99204
Phone: (509) 473-7692
Fax: (509) 473-7684
varelacm@empirehealth.org

back to top