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Rich Steele Earns APR+M Certification
Posted January 29, 2012
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ATLANTA - Rich Steele has earned his APR+M (Accredited in Public Relations + Military Communication) certification, it was announced today by the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org).
This is only the Georgia Chapter's second APR+M, which signifies someone who meets all the qualifications of APR plus a rigorous course of study surrounding military public affairs in joint operations.
Steele presently leads the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) communications contract for Encompass Digital Media in Atlanta.
Steele earned his APR in 2008 after retiring from a career in the U.S. Army as a public affairs practitioner and saw the new APR+M certification as the next logical step in his professional development. "Working as a contractor in the defense communication industry, the APR+M process provided me an opportunity to both codify my experience as an Army public affairs officer and broaden my knowledge of military communications across all of the services and Department of Defense," Steele said.
Steele holds a bachelor's degree in public relations from Rio Grande University and a Master of Mass Communications and Journalism (with PR emphasis) degree from Marshall University.
Created in 1964, Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is the voluntary certification program for public relations professionals established to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated mastery of a body of knowledge as well as recognition of experience and professional judgment in the public relations field. The international certification process is governed by the Universal Accreditation Board, of which PRSA is a lead participant.
To employers and clients, the APR designation, which is used after the member's name, signals the benchmark of excellence for the practice of public relations and the candidate's dedication to ethics and professionalism.
Preparation for the exam requires six to 12 months of rigorous study spanning 60 topics requiring noted expertise in 10 categories. PRSA|GA offers a comprehensive study system, designed to prepare the candidate for the 90-minute oral readiness review presentation covering 16 of the knowledge, skills and ability topics and the three-hour computer-based exam, which tests the other 44 skill areas. As a result of this program and the Chapter's promotion efforts, the Chapter has risen to the Top 10 ranks in the country for preparing public relations practitioners with this distinction.
APR+M candidates must meet one of the two following requirements:
• Military personnel (active or reserve) and Department of Defense civilian employees whose primary responsibilities lie in military communication-related fields
• Department of Defense military contractors, who are members of a UAB participating organization and whose primary responsibilities lie in military communication-related fields.
PRSA|GA (www.prsageorgia.org), the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of some 850 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.
The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as eight Special Interest Groups (Corporate & Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel & Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.
The Chapter supports nine PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges: Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Georgia Southern University (Atlanta), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens), and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).
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Public Relations Society of America - Georgia Chapter
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