Timeline 1980s

The 1980s

1980 William V. Fenton, Jr., APRP, served as the Association’s president. July 12 The Ocala/Marion County Chapter was formed.

1981 Dick Whalley became president and there was a movement to merge FPRA with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Opponents killed the plan and FPRA continued to grow during the 80s.

1982 Joseph J. Curley, APRP, became president. A new logo incorporating the quotation marks was adopted and the names of the chapters were changed to reflect their geographic locations.

1983 Kay Bartholomew, APRP, became president and membership passed the 700 mark.

1984 Patricia A. Trubow, APRP, CPRC, became president and the first Benchmark Survey results were published (biennial survey of FPRA members). September The Brevard Chapter was formed.

1985 Bob E. Gernert, Jr., APRP, CPRC, became president and 23 members were accredited this year. This was the largest single group of accreditees to date. Annual Conference was held at the Grenelefe Resort in Haines City and the FPRA offices became computerized (system crashed). January The Southwest Florida Chapter was formed.

1986 Mary O'Reilly, APRP, CPRC, became president and FPRA developed a strategic plan. FPRA’s management contract transferred to Gernert & Goddard, Inc. The Association’s past president, Bob Gernert, became FPRA’s Executive Director and Annual Conference was held at Sundial Resort on Sanibel Island.

1987 Cathlean Coleman, APRP, became president and membership climbed to 1,000. Annual Conference was held at Sheraton St. Johns Place in Jacksonville and the Dillin Award was established. Lt. Col. John W. Dillin, APRP, CPRC, was the first recipient. FPRA fought services tax on PR counseling.

1988 Robert H. Davis, APRP, CPRC, became president. FPRA celebrated its Golden Anniversary during its Annual Conference at the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Clearwater. Charles Wellborn was the Dillin Award recipient and Bob Gernert, APRP, CPRC, was the recipient of the first Member of the Year award. The top Golden Image Award was named after Dick Pope Sr. and “Esprit” became the new name of the Association’s newsletter. June 21 The Citrus County Chapter was formed.

1989 Mickey G. Nall, APRP, CPRC, served as the Association’s president. Plans for a Counselors’ Network were finalized. The FPRA Education Foundation was incorporated. Financial performance became a focus. The Association ended the year with a $20,000 budget surplus. Annual Meeting was held at The Breakers of Palm Beach. Frank Wright, APRP, was the Dillin Award recipient and Jeanne Mitchell, APRP, received Member of the Year.

The 1980s

© 2010 Florida Public Relations Association. All Rights Reserved.