Induction Slated for Academy’s Upcoming Conference in Los Cabos, Mexico
NEW YORK (June 4, 2007) – The Counselors Academy, a Professional Interest Section of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), has announced the inaugural class for its newly launched program, SAGE, which stands for Strategic Advisors for Growth and Excellence.
“SAGE counselors are legendary experts in our industry and agency leaders,” said Eric M. Morgenstern, APR, Fellow PRSA, co-chair of the SAGE program, and CEO of Morningstar Communications, Kansas City, Mo. “The purpose of the SAGE program is to formally recognize some of the most elite leaders among our ranks while providing more avenues for them to share their knowledge with other members.”
Criteria for becoming a SAGE counselor include current membership in Counselors Academy, at least 25 years of industry experience, at least 10 years of attendance at the Academy’s annual Spring Conference and recognition by its Executive Committee as an accomplished industry leader.
The inaugural class of SAGE counselors will be recognized at Counselors Academy’s 2007 Spring Conference, June 10-12 in Los Cabos, Mexico. It includes: Thomas L. Amberg, APR, Fellow PRSA, president & CEO, Cushman/Amberg Communications, Inc., Chicago; Lynn Casey, APR, chair & CEO, Padilla Speer Beardsley, Inc., Minneapolis; Steve Cody, managing partner & co-founder, Peppercom, New York; Tom Gable, APR, founder/CEO, Gable PR, San Diego; Michael L. Herman, APR, Fellow PRSA, vice chairman, The Catevo Group Worldwide/LCI Group Ltd., Raleigh, N.C.; Sandy M. Hermanoff, APR, Fellow PRSA, president & CEO, Hermanoff & Associates, Inc., Farmington Hills, Mich.; Thomas W. Hoog, Fellow PRSA, special counsel to global chairman, Hill & Knowlton/USA, Longmont, Colo.; Eric M. Morgenstern, APR, Fellow PRSA, president & CEO, Morningstar Communications, Kansas City, Mo.; Gary A. Myers, APR, Fellow PRSA, president & CEO, Gary Myers+Associates, Jefferson, Wis.; Deborah Radman, APR, Fellow PRSA, senior vice president/director, CKPR, New York; and Richard H. Truitt, APR, Fellow PRSA, principal, Truitt & Kirkpatrick, Rowayton, Conn.
“One look at the list tells you why the program is called SAGE. These influential professionals have provided valued business counsel to clients and colleagues throughout their careers. They exemplify the very best of the Counselors Academy experience and how we lift up each other with insights, ideas and advice,” said Academy Chair Roy Vaughn, APR, partner of Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations, Nashville, Tenn.
According to Morgenstern, SAGE counselors will be called upon to provide thought leadership for programming. Several SAGEs have volunteered to lead teleseminars or other presentations, author Academy monographs, post blogs on the Academy Web site and serve in mentorship.
For example, this year’s Spring Conference will include a panel discussion featuring seven of the inaugural class of SAGEs titled “You’ve Got Questions; We’ve Got Answers.” This highly interactive session will allow conference attendees an opportunity to discuss the topics most relevant to them such as agency management, business development and strategic alliances.
About The Counselors Academy
The Counselors Academy (www.counselorsacademy.org) is a Professional Interest Section of PRSA dedicated to providing principals and senior counselors of public relations firms with the resources to grow their firms and the counseling skills of their people. Drawing from the considerable talent of its membership of more than 537 Academy programs are designed to encourage networking, mentoring and peer support. Benefits include the annual Spring Conference, monthly teleseminars, online newsletters, interactive discussions of the issues of the day through a members-only e-Group and monographs from the thought leaders of the public relations profession. Membership is limited to Accredited counselors or consultants with more than 10 years experience in the profession.
About the Public Relations Society of America
The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals with more than 31,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into 109 Chapters nationwide and 20 Professional Interest Sections and Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has 285 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
