Congratulations to the recipient of the Florida Public Relations Association’s 2015 Dillin Award recipient, Trish Ridgway-Kapustka, APR, CPRC from the Jacksonville Chapter.
Ridgway-Kapustka has more than 25 years of experience in strategic integrated communications, including leadership positions within agency, corporate and non-profit organizations. She is the Principal, consultant and owner of TLK Communications, founded in 2012, and owner/operator of Edible Arrangements franchises in Jacksonville, Gainesville and Ocala. Hmmmm… maybe next year’s Dillin Dessert could be chocolate covered strawberries!
In more than 21 years of membership with FPRA, Ridgway-Kapustka has demonstrated extraordinary talent as a public relations, marketing and communications professional – influential, ethical and well respected by peers as an entrepreneur, business leader and visionary. Her volunteer leadership for FPRA demonstrates a deep commitment to the profession but, equally important, to professionalism and managerial skills as a whole.
Ridgway-Kapustka is a leader, having shown outstanding leadership in their home chapter as chapter president and in numerous roles throughout the years. Furthermore, she also served as FPRA State President and again in numerous roles on the state level.
Too many times leaders fall off on their volunteerism after their term as president ends. That has certainly not been the case with Ridgway-Kapustka. Her willingness to serve and passion for our Association has been demonstrated in so many ways throughout the years. In addition to mentoring future chapter leaders and stepping up whenever needed by the local chapter, she has spent many years championing Golden Image Awards, accreditation and certification, and has encouraged participation in our Florida Public Relations Education Foundation campaign. As state president, she worked to establish more focus on student chapter involvement and development throughout the state.
Even when not serving in an official FPRA leadership role, Ridgway-Kapustka has stepped up time and time again to help the Jacksonville chapter and volunteer their time selflessly. She is an enthusiastic leader and passionate about seeing FPRA succeed for our members and profession.
A graduate of the University of Florida and respected business leader, Ridgway-Kapustka has served in many leadership roles at the executive level in several high-impact organizations and events in the business community. She was honored in Jacksonville with the Lifetime Achievement Award and has been recognized with numerous leadership and professional recognition. She was also awarded FPRA’s 2013 Member of the Year Award, one of the Association’s highest honors.
The awards honor her work and passion, but Ridgway-Kapustka’s biggest success in life is her willingness to share her time and knowledge freely to her peers.
It was Winston Churchill who said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Giving back is what this individual does better than most.
For her many and significant contributions to this Association, her outstanding leadership, demonstrated enthusiasm, extraordinary involvement and loyal support, please join me in congratulating the recipient of our 2015 Dillin Award: Trish Ridgway-Kapustka, APR, CPRC of our Jacksonville Chapter.
About the John Dillin Professional Award
The John Dillin Professional Award for service to the Florida Public Relations Association has been established as the highest, most prestigious award of the Association. The award honors the spirit and dedication of FPRA’s first President and founder, Lt. Col. John Dillin, and his lifetime of service to and support of this Association. The purpose of this annual award is to recognize an FPRA member for his/her outstanding contribution to the Association and the field of public relations.
Nominees for this award must have a minimum of 10 years of active membership in the Association and have made outstanding and long-lasting contribution to FPRA and to the public relations profession in ways other than as an FPRA officer. Simply put, these individuals aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and work in the trenches.