Hank Amann to be inducted into PRSA College of Fellows 

HENRY J. “HANK” AMANN TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF AMERICA’S COLLEGE OF FELLOWS

RICHMOND, Va., November 7, 2006 – Henry J. “Hank” Amann, APR, will be inducted into the Public Relations Society of America’s College of Fellows at the Society’s international conference on Saturday, November 11.  Amann, vice chairman of BCF, is one of 15 new members to be elected to the prestigious College of Fellows.  Amann is the local chapter’s fifth fellow to be inducted.

Amann’s career includes public relations positions with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Reynolds Metals Company.  In 1988, Amann founded Amann & Associates Public Relations, which merged with BCF in 2001.  His work has been recognized with numerous regional and national awards, including a Best of Silver Anvil Award from PRSA for his work on the PR campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil.  Amann was the recipient in 2005 of the PRSA Richmond chapter’s prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award.

An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, Amann has served as president of PRSA Richmond and helped negotiate the 1995 merger of the Old Dominion Chapter of PRSA and the Richmond Public Relations Association into the current Richmond chapter of PRSA. 

“I am honored to welcome the members of the class of 2006 into the College of Fellows,” said PRSA President and CEO Cheryl Procter-Rogers, APR, Fellow PRSA.  “They join a distinguished group of public relations professionals who have advanced the profession, serving as role models of distinction and mentors to current and future practitioners.” 

According to the PRSA Bylaws, to be considered for the College of Fellows, a member of PRSA must have practiced public relations for 20 or more years, demonstrated superior capability as a practitioner, exhibited personal and professional qualities that serve as a role model for other practitioners and advanced the state of the profession. Criteria also include being accredited, having passed rigorous oral and written examinations involving a depth of knowledge in the strategic analysis of public relations issues including program, research, ethics, legal issues, communications and other areas.

The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org) is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has more than 28,000 professional and student members.  PRSA Richmond (www.prsarichmond.org) is a professional association serving Central Virginia public relations practitioners. The chapter and the national organization share the vision to unify, strengthen and advance the profession of public relations.