This is the press release we sent out earlier this week announcing our special award recipients.
PRSA Capital Region (NY) Chapter Awards Special Honors
CNSE’s Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros Named Outstanding Communicator; Gramercy Communications’ Tom Nardacci Named Outstanding Practitioner
Oct. 3, 2011 (Albany, N.Y.) – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Capital Region (NY) Chapter, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement and professional development of public relations practitioners, today announced that Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, senior vice president and CEO of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany and the region’s most vocal advocate in the technology and scientific communities, has been named “2011 Outstanding Communicator.” Tom Nardacci, founder and principal of Gramercy Communications, one of the fastest-growing public affairs firms in the region, has been named “Outstanding Practitioner.” Both will receive their awards as part of the 2011 PRSA Capital Region Empire Awards event on Thursday, Oct. 27 at The Crossings of Colonie.
The Outstanding Communicator award is given to a Capital Region professional, community leader or public figure who has demonstrated excellence in the field of communications. “Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros’s 21st century vision for the region and state, combined with his vocal advocacy to the global nanotechnology community, made him a great choice for this award,” said Penny Vavura, president of the PRSA Capital Region (NY) chapter.
Dr. Kaloyeros is internationally regarded in the scientific community and is a public figure who has used his communications skills to move forward New York’s aspirations of becoming a global leader in nanotechnology. Through his leadership of the UAlbany NanoCollege, he has fostered a community of more than 2,600 scientists, researchers, students, faculty and staff from more than 300 global corporate partners and leading research universities. Past recipients include Ed Lewi of Ed Lewi Associates, Linda Hillman, president of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and former Eric Mower and Associates’ partner Pamela Sawchuk Brown.
Tom Nardacci, the 2011 Outstanding Practitioner, started his business, Gramercy Communications, in a spare bedroom six years ago. Since then, the firm has grown to represent clients with nearly $2 billion worth of economic development projects in New York State. Nardacci has been a key figure in the PRSA Capital Region chapter’s leadership in recent years. He has created and supported events focused on recognizing and elevating the public relations profession, and he has consistently provided education and work experience to students and junior and mid-level public relations professionals. Previous recipients include Ben Marvin of The College of Saint Rose; Jonathan Pierce, APR and Jo Ann LeSage Nelson, APR, both of Pierce Communications.
“Tom is a strong and effective advocate for the public relations field and his business success is a reflection on his adherence to the highest standards of our profession,” said Vavura.
The Empire Awards competition began in 2008 to celebrate and commemorate the triumphs of the programs, projects and people that strengthen, promote and sharpen the public relations profession in the Capital Region and beyond. The competition is open to both PRSA members and non-members.
Kirk Hazlett, APR, Fellow PRSA, associate professor of communication, Curry College (Milton, Mass.) and National PRSA board director, will emcee the evening. The event will begin at 5: 30 p.m.
To make a reservation for the event, visit prsacapitalregion.org/empire-awards.