Local professionals excel at state public relations awards summit

News admin September 14, 2026 0 Comments

Local professionals excel at state public relations awards summit

Communications professionals excel at public relations summit

The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) was honored with more than 30 awards recently at the annual PR & Comms Summit in Orlando hosted by the Florida Public Relations Association.

Both the chapter and individual members – who serve across Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties – were recognized for projects and efforts that enhance the profession. CWC-FPRA board member Muffy Lavens was named the statewide Joe Curley Rising Leader. For the second year in a row, CWC-FPRA received the President’s Award for Credentialing and the President’s Award for Leadership Development.

At the 69th annual Golden Image Awards and Pinnacle Gala, CWC-FPRA past president Hunter Carpenter of Visit Sarasota County was recognized as Member of the Year.

The recognition for chapter members included six Golden Image Awards and a Pinnacle Award:

· Golden Image Award, Judges’ Award, and Judges’ Creativity Award for Special Event: Kim Livengood, in honor of Helen Roper.

· Golden Image Award and Judges’ Award for Other: Elise Ramer, Premier SIR Communications team, and Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

· Golden Image Award and Judges’ Award for Digital Promotion: Creative Springs.

· Golden Image Award for Video/Public Service: Creative Springs.

· Golden Image Award and Judges’ Award for Video/Institutional: Satchel’s Last Resort Animal Shelter.

· Golden Image Award for Website: Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

· Silver Pinnacle Award for Mentor of the Year, Lauren Debick of Creative Springs.

“Our chapter truly enjoys and is dedicated to celebrating each other; the result of that support is evident in the high quality of work produced by our membership and the tremendous number of well-earned accolades,” incoming CWC-FPRA president Andrea Knies said.

FPRA’s Golden Image Awards program has honored innovation, planning, implementation and results in the field of public relations since 1957. Established in 2024, the Pinnacle Awards recognize individuals, agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporate teams and government agencies for outstanding strategic work in public relations and communications.

Food bank hires DeSoto director

All Faiths Food Bank recently welcomed longtime nonprofit professional and Arcadia resident Christopher Reesor as Senior Director of Food and Resources for its DeSoto Food and Resource Center (FRC), where he oversees operations in DeSoto County.

Reesor has nearly a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, including leading initiatives focused on disaster recovery, housing rehabilitation, food security and community development. Throughout his career, he has expanded nonprofit programs, secured funding and collaborated with government agencies, businesses, foundations and community organizations.

Prior to All Faiths, Reesor served in leadership roles with Rebuilding Together Greater Florida and The Fruitful Field and Patricia Davis Community Garden.

New Invest in Incredible leader

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation recently welcomed Melissa Ehrhardt as Director for Capacity Building, responsible for leading the strategic direction for Invest in Incredible (I3), Gulf Coast’s nonprofit capacity-building initiative.

Ehrhardt is responsible for content building, consultant cohort management, regional expansion, and operationaloversight of the program, which serves nonprofits in Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. She brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, partnership development, and disaster response.

Before Gulf Coast, Ehrhardt worked with the American Red Cross, building strategic partnerships and helping communities prepare, respond, and recover from disasters. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Central Florida.

“Melissa’s perspective and passion for helping organizations succeed make her a valuable addition to the Gulf Coast team,” said Erin Minor, Vice President for Community Leadership.

Michael Saunders appointment

Michael Saunders & Company has appointed Mick McCalley as managing broker to oversee its Venice and Wellen Park offices, bringing more than a decade of industry experience spanning residential sales, new home sales, and brokerage leadership.

McCalley began his real estate career as a sales associate, earning recognition as an award-winning agent before broadening his experience in lot acquisition and new home sales with David Weekley Homes. He later returned to residential brokerage, moving into sales management and managing broker roles. He has led teams of varying sizes, from more than 110 agents in Lakewood Ranch to an office of more than 400 agents in Winter Park.

“Mick’s professionalism, combined with his hands-on, agent-first style, is what makes an exceptional managing broker,” said Chip Murphy, executive vice president of Michael Saunders & Company. “His dedication to supporting our agents at all levels reflects the culture of excellence the company was built on.”

Around and about

· Several lawyers at Fergeson Skipper recently received recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America: James O. Fergeson Jr.; Matthew S. Francis; Richard R. Gans; Michelle L. Hermey; David S. Maglich; Matthew B. Mayper; and Daniel L. Tullidge. Also, Michael Kostruba and Declan Mahoney received recognition in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The Sarasota-based law firm is celebrating 50 years serving clients in Southwest Florida.

· CareerEdge, the workforce development initiative led by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation through the Maria Haber Charitable Fund. The grant will support CareerEdge Funders Collaborative initiatives.

· Alex Herrington, president of FourThought Private Wealth, has been named to 2026 Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list – the second consecutive year he has received the recognition.

Compiled from news releases

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Local professionals excel at state public relations awards summit

Reporting by Special to the Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 7:00 AM.