Fitzgerald Named PR Professional of the Year

Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs
703-324-3187, TTY 711, Fax 703-324-2010
Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov

Nov. 9, 2007

Fitzgerald Named PR Professional of the Year

Merni Fitzgerald Merni Fitzgerald, Fairfax County’s director of public affairs and county spokesperson, was recognized yesterday with the “PR Professional of the Year: Nonprofit/Association” award in the PR News magazine “PR People Awards.” Fitzgerald received the award that recognized her achievements for work during the 2006 calendar year in a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

“This national award from PR News magazine is recognition of what we in Fairfax County government already knew – that Merni Fitzgerald is an outstanding agency director and communications professional,” said Fairfax County Executive Anthony H. Griffin. “Her leadership in the county and the National Capital Region is superior, and her service and commitment to the residents of this community are tireless. She is truly deserving of this high honor.”

As director of the Office of Public Affairs, she manages both the external and internal communications for the county government. In addition, she leads the agency in providing communications services to more than 40 county government agencies, customer service to county residents and visitors, and chairs the county’s Employee Communication Board, a multi-agency group composed of employees from numerous county agencies.

Fitzgerald also chairs the Northern Virginia communicators group and the communicators group from the National Capital Region, which encompasses 21 jurisdictions in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

The award entry cited her dedication to her job and the public relations profession; her untiring service to the community and the media; her constant professionalism; her public relations advice and consultation to government leaders; and her 24/7 service to Fairfax County.

PR News is a weekly executive level, reader-supported publication that focuses on the business impact of public relations and features action-oriented stories, behind-the-scenes case studies and unparalleled access to communications-related market research, metrics and data.

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For more news and information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news.