IPR Names 2013 Leadership and Trustees, Reinforces Research Direction

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Nov. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Research on neuroscience and public relations, employee communications, social media and measurement standards will be core 2013 directions for the Institute for Public Relations (IPR), led by newly elected officers and Trustees.

"These themes emerged from the IPR Trustees Research Symposium earlier this month, which immediately followed the Board meeting where officers and Trustees were elected," said president and CEO Frank Ovaitt. 

Co-chairs for 2013 are Mike Fernandez, corporate vice president, corporate affairs for Cargill; and Ken Makovsky, president, Makovsky.  Elected as IPR treasurer is Gary Sheffer, vice president, corporate communications and public affairs, General Electric Company.  Ovaitt will continue as IPR president and CEO.  Long-time Trustee Matt Gonring, vice president, corporate communications for Jackson, is being honored as chairman, emeritus, recognizing his leadership and service over five years as co-chair. 

New Trustees joining the Board will broaden IPR's international and research focus.  These include David Albritton, vice president and chief communications officer for Exelis; Terence Flynn, Ph.D., faculty member, McMaster University; Michele Galen, head of communications, Novartis International; Christopher Graves, global CEO, Ogilvy Public Relations; Jennifer Prosek, founder and CEO, Prosek Partners; James Spangler, chief communications officer, Navistar International; and Michael Stewart, partner and global director of communications, McKinsey and Company.

Trustees re-elected for another three-year term include Bruce Berger, Ph.D., professor of advertising and public relations, University of Alabama; Julie Craven, vice president, communications, Hormel Foods; Tracy Faulkner, vice president, communications, Shell Oil Company; Gonring; Gary Grates, principal, W2O Group; William Heyman, president and CEO, Heyman Associates; Maril MacDonald, CEO, Gagen MacDonald; Thomas Mattia, chair, Edelman China; Ovaitt; and Kirk Stewart, executive vice president, APCO Worldwide.

The Institute for Public Relations is an independent foundation dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations™ and focused on research that is applicable in communications practice.  Its research is available free at www.instituteforpr.org and provides the basis for the organization's professional conferences and events.

SOURCE Institute for Public Relations

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