The Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) Northwest Chapter recently honored two of its members at its annual Awards and Member Social in December. Tina Callecod, MBA, was named PRAL Northwest Communicator of the Year, and Erin Smith was named PRAL Northwest Member of the Year. Callecod is Regional Director of Communications, North La. at Ochsner Health System, and Smith is Director of Digital Media & Website Management at LSU Shreveport.
PRAL Northwest’s Communicator of the Year Award is designed to recognize and honor a community professional and PRAL Northwest member who has demonstrated exemplary communication skills throughout the past year. Callecod was nominated for her work during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as well as her crisis communication management during the winter freeze in February 2021.
PRAL Northwest’s Member of the Year Award is designed to recognize and honor a PRAL Northwest member who has demonstrated dedication to professional development and to the advancement of PRAL Northwest. Smith was nominated for her work as president-elect of PRAL Northwest. In this role, she was responsible for the organization’s professional development functions, which included guiding the organization through virtual, hybrid and in-person events designed to enhance members’ professional growth.
“I’m proud that our organization is home to two professionals that represent our industry so well,” said Emerie Eck Gentry, Immediate Past President of PRAL Northwest. “Tina and Erin have done an outstanding job in their respective positions, and we were so pleased that they were honored for their hard work and commitment.”