Professional Achievement Award

SPRF member organizations (ECPRO, PRAL, PRAM, and PRCA) are invited to annually nominate one outstanding public relations professional for the SPRF Professional Achievement Award, formerly known as the Practitioner of the Year. The recipient of this award is announced at the SPRF annual conference. SPRF established this award to recognize an individual who continually demonstrates the highest ideals of the profession as well as a commitment to advance the profession of public relations.

Qualifications for SPRF’s Professional Achievement Award (PAA)

• Be a member in good standing 
• Has taught or practiced in the field of PR for a minimum 15 years
• Have contributed to the success of the chapter, state and/or SPRF for multiple years
• Have participated in leadership roles in other professional or pre-professional organizations
• Have participated in PR community service
• Have realized recognized success in the practice of PR during the individual’s career

• Have received Accreditation by a UAB member organization

Each nominee is tasked to provide their resume, a one-page career essay, five work samples, three examples of community or public service activities, a list of offices held or activities participated in with public relations organizations, and a list of continuing education the individual has undertaken. The APR credential is required to be nominated for this award. 

The honoree was selected from these nominations by three highly experienced APRs from outside SPRF's geographic region. 

2025 SPRF Professional Achievement Award Recipient

Bossier City, Lou. – In October, the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) named Kim Foster, APR, as the recipient of the Professional Achievement Award. The organization’s highest honor, the Professional Achievement Award was established to recognize a public relations practitioner that has continually demonstrated the highest ideals of the profession as well as a commitment to advance the profession of public relations.

Kim is a nationally respected PR strategist, entrepreneur, and mentor. She is the founder of Foster Public Relation, Inc., a boutique PR agency specializing in destination marketing. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Natchez Trace Compact and is a board member of the National Scenic Byways Association. She has served SPRF for nearly three decades, including terms as president, association assistant, and conference planner.

Each year since 1991, SPRF state chapters in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi nominate a member for this honor. Other nominees in 2024 included Marian Faulk, APR, from the Public Relations Council of Alabama, and Micah Walker, APR, of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana.

Previous Professional Achievement Award Recipients:

• 2024: Caron Blanton, APR; PRAM
• 2023: Mara Hartman, APR; PRAM
• 2022: Matt Martin, APR; PRAM
• 2021: Tracy Yanez, APR; PRAM
• 2020: Lesley Bruinton, APR; PRCA
• 2019: Checky Herrington, APR, Fellow PRSA; PRAM
• 2018: Lt. Col. Christian Patterson, APR+M; PRAM
• 2017: Tracie Bertaut, APR; PRAL
• 2016: Kristina L. Hendrix, APR; PRCA
• 2015: Holly Houk Cullen, APR; PRAL
• 2014: Robin Street, APR; PRAM
• 2013: Mary Cracchiolo Spain, APR; PRAM
• 2012: Lea Ivey Stone, APR; PRAM
• 2011: Jennifer Jenkins, APR; PRCA
• 2010: Susan Broussard, APR; PRAL
• 2009: Kristie Aylett, APR, Fellow PRSA; PRAM
• 2008: Glen Duncan, APR; PRAL
• 2007: Denise D’Oliveira, APR; PRCA
• 2006: Suzanne Fornaro, APR; PRCA
• 2005: Michael Tullier, APR; PRCA
• 2004: Carol Mann, APR; PRCA
• 2003: Missy LaBorde, APR; PRAL
• 2002: Delia Adams Taylor, APR; PRAL
• 2001: Deirdre McGowan, Ph.D., APR, CAE; PRAM
• 2000: Sherry Harlow, APR; ECPRO
• 1999: John Forde, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA; PRAM
• 1998: Bill Todd, APR; PRCA
• 1997: Dave Rickey, APR; PRCA
• 1996: Karla Shackleford Conway, APR; PRCA
• 1995: Jamie Palmer, APR; PRCA
• 1994: Rosemary W. Blackmon, APR; PRCA
• 1993: Bill Michelet, APR, Fellow PRSA; PRAL
• 1992: Philip Shirley, APR; PRAM
• 1991: Peri Widener, APR; PRCA