Hicksville, NY (March 28, 2016) – Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) will honor seven outstanding individuals at its 26th annual Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Carlyle at the Palace in Plainview, NY. PRPLI is the premier organization for public relations, marketing, and communications practitioners. Recognized as one of the most prestigious award programs on Long Island, the Gala helps support the organization’s mission to provide a platform for its members to network, learn, mentor, and advance in their careers. Proceeds of the event will also benefit PRPLI student scholarships.

The Gala celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of media and public relations professionals by awarding a lifetime achievement award, by honoring an outstanding member of the media and an exceptional public relations campaign, and recognizing a rising star and mentor in the public relations industry. Each year, the Awards Gala recognizes Long Island leaders who have successfully promoted the region through special events, thought leadership seminars, and best public relations campaigns; journalists who pay particular attention to Long Island issues and values; the local public relations industry; and exceptional college students majoring in public relations.

“PRPLI is thrilled to honor such an impressive group of communications professionals who represent a broad range of industries on Long Island and bring the best public relations ideas and solutions to their client or company, and individuals who make a positive impact and advance the region,” said Kali Chan, president of Public Relations Professionals of Long Island. “The honorees serve as an example of the great talent we have on Long Island and reflect on PRPLI’s core strength of helping people move their career forward.”

The 2016 PRPLI Gala Honorees:

Jack Rettaliata Lifetime Achievement: Terry Lynam, SVP & Chief Public Relations Officer, Northwell Health

Terry Lynam has worked in the communications field for more than 30 years as part of the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. He oversees all media relations, internal and external communications for Northwell Health, which he joined in 2001. Originally a reporter, Mr. Lynam made the switch to media relations in the late 1980s when he spent time working for politicians such as former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and former Lt. Gov. Stan Lundine.

Long Island Achievement: Michael Harrison, President, Axcelsior Strategic Solutions

Michael Harrison, former advisor to two New York governors, is currently the President/CEO of Axcelsior Strategic Solutions, a government relations and strategic communications consultancy. He has held leadership roles in public service, higher education, public utilities and health care. In 2005, he was named Small Business Legislative Advocate of the Year by the Long Island Association (LIA) and is also a recipient of the Hofstra Booster Alumni Merit Award for promoting women’s athletics.

Outstanding Media: David Winzelberg, Real Estate Reporter, Long Island Business News

David Winzelberg joined Long Island Business News in 2007 after spending almost 21 years with The New York Times. He covers real estate, franchising and white collar crimes. In the last few years, his stories have shed light on many issues facing area businesses on Long Island, resulting in several federal and local
prosecutions and influencing the business practices of local governments. Mr. Winzelberg also spent two years as an adjunct professor of journalism at Five Towns College, at which he served as faculty adviser to its student newspaper and radio station.

Outstanding Mentor: Sharyn O’Mara, Communications Director, Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C.

Sharyn O’Mara joined WH&A in 2007 and handles event planning, marketing, networking, social media, and website development for the matrimonial and family law firm. She has worked for clients such as McDonald’s marketing agency, Weight Watchers International and United Media. Ms. O’Mara is a former board member of PRPLI, has taught at Adelphi University, and is currently Co-President of Social Media Association. She was also a 2012 Long Island Business News “50 Around 50” award recipient for her community involvement and a 2012 19th Legislature Woman of Distinction award recipient.

Rising Star: Peter Guaraldi, Communications Specialist, Suffolk County Government

Peter Guaraldi spent the first four years of his career at Zimmerman/Edelson from 2011-2014 after graduating from Hofstra University. In July of 2014, Mr. Guaraldi began working as a communications specialist for the Suffolk County Government in County Executive Steve Bellone’s office. He reports directly to the Deputy County Executive and County’s Director of Communications on all matters pertaining to internal communications, media relations, messaging strategies and community outreach efforts.

PR Campaign of the Year: Commack Public Library Public Relations Campaign-Camille Koorey and Judith White, CJ2 Communication Strategies

Camille Koorey conceptualizes, writes and implements creative and cost-effective marketing and public relations strategies as well as award-winning collateral material for CJ2’s diverse client base. Prior to co-founding CJ2 in 2002, Camille served as the communications director at Touro Law School and also was an assistant vice president, manager of marketing publications, for Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. in New York City. Judith White has had an extensive career in media relations, spending most of her career with a communications firm. Judith White works with premier Long Island developers, engineering firms, energy companies, village governments, non-profit agencies, school districts and libraries. She provides exacting consulting services for major Long Island developments, including: Brookhaven Rail Terminal; Islip Pines; Hilton Garden Inn, Port Washington; and others. Judith previously worked as an aide to the minority leader and the presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature. In addition, she is president of Women Economic Developers of Long Island (WEDLI).

For more information on tickets, sponsorships and journal ads, visit prpli.org or contact Gala co-chairs Andrea Jones by emailing andrea@on-target-marketing.com or calling 516-330-1183, and Virginia Lestingi by calling 516-641-6996 or emailing vilieventplanning@gmail.com.
###