Ann Marie Varga Named PR Professional of the Year

The award is the chapter's highest individual award and is presented to a Central Florida public relations practitioner whose accomplishments have made a major contribution to the profession.

ORLANDO, FL (PRWEB) February 25, 2004 --The Orlando Area Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) has named Rollins College assistant vice president of public relations Ann Marie Varga as Central Florida's 2004 "PR Professional of the Year." Varga will receive the award on Thursday, April 22, at the chapter's annual Image Awards in Orlando.
    
FPRA's Public Relations Professional of the Year Award honors the very best public relations work for the year by an individual. The award is the chapter's highest individual award and is presented to a public relations practitioner whose accomplishments have made a major contribution to the profession.
    
Varga was given the award for her ongoing leadership at Rollins College in Winter Park. She was also recognized by the judges for leading the recent public relations fight on critical issues that threaten the quality of healthcare in Central Florida. Varga is founder and volunteer director of the Florida Hospital Public Relations Advisory Council.
    
Chris Gent, award committee chair and manager of corporate communications at Kissimmee Utility Authority, said, "As 2004 PR Professional of the Year, Ann Marie represents the pinnacle of public relations professionalism. She's a true asset to the profession and the community."
    
Prior to joining Rollins in June 2000, Varga served as regional communications manager for Florida Power Corporation (FPC) in Central Florida. Previously, she was public relations officer and media relations representative for SunTrust Bank in Orlando. In addition, she has held positions at both Gary Bitner Public Relations and Circus World and spent six years as a public relations consultant to a wide array of clients including SunTrust Bank, WMFE, Sprint/United Telephone, Universal Studios Florida, Wordwise, Walt Disney World, and the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida.
    
Varga holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and speech communication from Rollins College. She currently holds membership in both FPRA and the Public Relations Society of America.
    
FPRA is a statewide organization of public relations professionals dedicated to enhancing the professional development of its members while serving as the "united voice" of the public relations profession in Florida.
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