The Donald G. Padilla Distinguished Practitioner Award

About the Award

Created in 1996 to honor the late public relations pioneer Donald G. Padilla, the award recognizes an individual who is judged to have made selfless contributions to the community and who has demonstrated exceptional professional achievement.

During his long career, Padilla devoted himself to helping civic, educational, human services and arts organizations communicate more effectively with their publics. And he was equally diligent in teaching the clients of his firm to see the many benefits of community stewardship.

In 1986, Padilla received PRSA National’s highest honor for public service, the Paul M. Lund Award.  He is the only Minnesota chapter member ever to receive this award.

Along with the award, Minnesota PRSA contributes $500 to a charitable organization of the recipient’s choice. Padilla Speer Beardsley donates another $500 to the same organization.

Entries must be received by 5 p.m., Thursday, February 15, 2010.
For more information, contact Jan Hennings, APR, at 651-662-6139.

The Nomination Form

Click here for the online nomination form and guidelines. Forms must be completed by 5 p.m., Thursday, February 15, 2010.

Award History

In 1995, Minnesota PRSA created the Community Classics Award to honor a person who is judged by the chapter's leadership to have made selfless contributions of time and public relations talent to make our community a better place.

In 1996, the board re-named it the Donald G. Padilla Community Classics Award, in honor of the late public relations pioneer and chapter member's legacy of volunteer service. During his long career, Don devoted himself to helping civic, educational, human services and arts organizations communicate more effectively with their publics. And he was equally diligent in teaching the clients of his firm to see the many benefits of community stewardship.

Don received PRSA's highest honor for public service, the Paul M. Lund Award, in 1986. It is given each year to a public relations professional for contributions made to the common good through public service activities. He is the only Minnesota PRSA member ever to receive a Lund award.

Don embodied the spirit of volunteerism and giving of himself. He gave his time and talents to help nonprofit organizations meet their goals and he encouraged everyone in our industry - both those at his own firm and members of this society - to give back.

Previous Award Recipients

Past recipients have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to numerous charitable organizations. They also share a common trait: They inspire each of us to give back and use or talents for the betterment of others.

2009: David Hakensen, APR
During his 25-year career, David has become a sought-after counselor who provides strategic counsel to senior management and who understands the importance of leveraging communications and public relations to support business objectives. He has a broad range of agency and corporate experience, with particular expertise in strategic media relations, crisis communications, issues management, and merger and acquisition communications.

A PRSA member since 1981, David has been a loyal and active advocate, volunteer and leader in the organization and the profession it supports. He has a keen interest in giving back to his profession and has held PRSA leadership positions that include: Minnesota Chapter Board of Directors (1996-2001); President of the Minnesota Chapter (2000); National Chair for the Senior Advisory Task Force (2001); serving as a member of the National Nominating Committee (2000); and chairing the Midwest District (2006 – 2008).

David’s energetic volunteerism as an engaged communicator active “outside of the office” benefits the community and represents the profession using the same high levels of technical competence, expertise, strategic counsel and knowledge-sharing that have marked his value to agency clients and employees. Opportunities consistently seek David out as a result of his reputation, but he has been equally busy as an eager, willing volunteer who genuinely enjoys leveraging his trade for stakeholders that include civic groups, professional organizations, business associations, academic programs and students.

2004: David Mona - Chairman, Weber Shandwick Minneapolis
David Mona, a 30-year public relations veteran, has been a leader in numerous civic, charitable and educational organizations throughout his career. In 1981, Mona founded Mona Meyer McGrath & Gavin, which is now known as Weber Shandwick. Currently approaching $2 million in donated time and dollars, the firm continues Mona's commitment to give back to the nonprofit community. In 1987, the city of Bloomington named Mona "Small Business Person of the Year."

Mona helped bring the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four to Minnesota in 1992 and served as state chairman of the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. He was president of the Minnesota Alimni Association and the Council of Growing Companies.

Currently, Mona serves on boards of the Greater Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association, Tom Lehman's Challenge golf tournament and the Minnesota Medical Foundation. He chairs the Minnesota Vikings Children's Fund board and is past chair of the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce.

2003: Ann Barkelew, APR, Fellow PRSA - Senior Consultant, Fleishman-Hillard, Mpls/St. Paul
Ann Hamilton Barkelew is a senior consultant for Fleishman-Hillard, Inc. in the Minneapolis-St. Paul office. She has more than 30 years of top management experience with Fortune 100 and small-to-mid cap companies. In 1995, she was named by her peers internationally as "Public Relations Professional of the Year."

Ann currently gives her time and talents to several community organizations, including VocalEssence, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Twin Cities, Minnesota Women's Economic Roundtable, the Arthur W. Page Society and the National School Public Relations Association. She has also volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America, the Minnesota News Council, and the PRSA College of Fellows. Ann also served as Chair of the board of The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis and was on the board of the United Way Success by Six. She has received the National School PR Learning and Liberty Award and was honored with the Ester V. Crosby Award for leadership by the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council.

2002: Paul Omodt, APR - Vice President, Media Relations, Padilla Speer Beardsley, Inc.
Paul Omodt received the 2002 Padilla Award in recognition of the time and talent he has given to the community throughout his public relations career.

Paul's public relations volunteer and pro bono activities includes achieving media coverage for Minnesota Against Terrorism's mission, AirLifeLine's mission, Janet Reno's visit to the Courage Center, Big Brothers, Big Sisters merger, and more. Paul has been adept in using his public relations skills to advice various non-profit organizations and has helped generate awareness and publicity to their causes. Paul's commitment to the community extends well beyond public relations. He is a youth hockey coach and has served as an advisor to many candidates for public office. In January 2003, Paul was appointed to the St. Louis Park City Council.

2001: Dave Therkelsen, APR, Fellow PRSA - CEO, St. Paul Area Chapter Red Cross
Dave Therkelsen has worked at the American Red Cross since 1978. Therkelsen's Red Cross experience includes work as public relations director for the St. Paul area chapter and blood region, as well as administrator of the organ and tissue transplant program and general manager of biomedical services. In 2000, Therkelsen was awarded the American Red Cross presidential Tiffany Award for excellence in management.

His distinguished career also includes services as public relations manager for a governmental agency, and one term as city council member in Coon Rapids, Minn. Therkelsen is a past president of Minnesota PRSA, and is a past chair of PRSA's national Social Services section. He also teaches public relations as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota.

2000: Leila Erlandson - Manager, Public Affairs, American Express
Leila Erlandson has given selflessly of her time and skills for nearly 10 years. Each year, she volunteers hundreds of hours for local and international organizations, while continuing to devote herself to work, family and friends.

Leila's strong communications skills are tailored to the needs of each organization she serves. From strategic communications and public relations to crisis communications and Spanish literacy, Leila provides valuable expertise to organizations that could not otherwise afford these services.

Leila currently serves as board vice president and chair of the marketing/development committee for the Minneapolis Youth Diversion Program, where she donates more than 100 hours of the free time. She also secures media sponsorships and placements for the Bull Moose Charitable Foundation's Bull Moose Party, spreads the word of the mission of the Guatemalan Benefit Dance and acts as a crisis consultant for the God Child Project (Antigua, Guatemala/Minneapolis chapter.)

Leila has also volunteered for the United Way of Minneapolis, Little Brother's Friend's of the Elderly, Crisis Connection and the President's Summit. And her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Leila has received the CityBusiness Unsung Hero Volunteer Award, the WCCO Radio "Good Neighbor" Volunteer Award, the KARE 11 "Eleven Who Care" Volunteer Recognition Award and was chosen in 1006 to be a Community Hero Torchbearer for the Olympic Torch Relay.

1999: Margaret Hennen, APR - Second Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Fortis Financial Group
Margaret Hennen has been serving the United Way of the Saint Paul area for 15 years in a variety of capacities - from chairing the marketing communications committee, to leading a citizen review team and coordinating annual campaigns at Fortis and earlier at Unisys.

Although her involvement has varied, her focus is clear. "It's important to keep sharing information about how important the United Way is and the results it achieves in our communities," said Hennen. "Because the United Way closely monitors the needs of the community they are able to respond to a variety of needs. We tend to forget that the needs are around all of the time."

Margaret served as president of Minnesota PRSA in 1997. She has been a member of PRSA since 1984 and has been accredited since 1990.

1998: Francine Hitchcock - Community Relations Director, Shandwick International
For the past 21 years, community volunteerism has been an intrinsic part of Fran Hitchcock's life. Her volunteer activities stem from her her heart and family, not her position or personal aspirations. She created organizations to serve unmet needs, stimulated hundreds of individuals to volunteer their own time and has created pro bono and giving programs that are now being replicated across the country. Her commitment is shown not only by the number of organizations she has touched but also by her long years of service -- more than 21 years on the board of Children's Home Society and 16 years volunteering for Breck School and the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

The results she has achieved stand as proof of her dedication to utilizing public relations and communications to further the objectives of the organizations she served. For example, after learning that all cancer research dollars were going to adult research, Fran helped found the Children's Cancer Research Fund in 1981. She has also served on the KARE-11 Board of Governors to select the 11 Who Care Award recipients.

Along with this year's award, Minnesota PRSA contributes $500 to a charitable organization of Hitchcock's choice with a matching donation from Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc. Fran has closen to designate these contributions to Parents in Community Action, Head Start.

1997: Edwin Neuger - Vice Chairman, Neuger Henry Bartkowski Public Relations
Ed Neuger has been a tireless volunteer for five decades, contributing immeasurably to the quality of life throughout this region. Since he started his agency as a public relations pioneer in 1959, Ed has been an innovator and an optimist who lives his belief in the value of community service. Ed has given generously of his time and financial resources through good times and through tough times in a 40-year career. Even after experiencing a heart attack and recurrence of cancer, Ed's commitment to serving others remains strong. He is active in the business community, is a coach and mentor to younger people at the agency and is active on the board of the Kidney Foundation of the Upper Midwest. He is also active in fundraising for Mount Olivet's Rolling Acre center for people with developmental disabilities.

Ed's service has extended from his youth with his years of coaching Little League, his YMCA board leadership and his service for the National Youth Leadership Council to his active role in the Kidney Foundation, Goodwill Industries and the National Retiree Volunteer Coalition.

Long before the advent of cause marketing, Ed was a master at bringing company resources to bear on community needs. During the Vietnam War, Ed brought Twin City Federal and the Red Cross together so that loved ones could tape messages to be delivered at Red Cross stations to soldiers in Vietnam. He united Minnegasco and the Salvation Army in a program called "HeatShare" that allows customer to help provide heat for those who couldn't afford it. For Barrett Moving and Storage, Ed's "Holiday Van" program collected food and clothing for needy families.

He has also led professional groups and was Minnesota PRSA president in 1971. He has mentored and employed some of the best people in the profession over along career and continues to meet with young professionals. Ed encourages employees to participate in community service and has always provided time and opportunities for them to do so.

He says, "Community service is everyone's responsibility; it's the tax you pay for the space you take on this planet."

Along with this award, Minnesota PRSA contributes $500 to a charitable organization of Ed's choice. Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc. donates another $500 to the same organization.

1996: Roland L. Minda, APR - Managing Officer, Minda Associates, Inc.
Roland L. Minda, APR, was awarded the 1996 Donald G. Padilla Community Classic Award by the Minnesota Chapter, Public Relations Society of America. The award honors a Minnesota PRSA member who has volunteered time and talents toward improving the community through communications, and was presented the award at the organization's annual awards dinner at the University Club.

Minda, managing officer, Minda Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, has successfully balanced his volunteer commitments the past 35 years with the Twin Cities community, the public relations field and his Jewish community interests. He has served 30 years as board member for Hennepin County Animal Humane Society, with two terms as President; 25 years with the Minneapolis Metropolitan YMCA's public relations committee; 25 years with the Minneapolis Rotary Club; and 20 years as board member of the National Conference of Jews. Minda has been recognized frequently for his community involvement, including:

• "Leadership in Membership Development" honors from Minnesota PRSA;
• "Vital Contribution to our YMCA Mission" honors from Minneapolis Metropolitan YMCA;
• "Good Neighbor" award from WCCO-AM radio;
• "Red" Motley Award/ Outstanding Member of the Year, Minneapolis Sales & Marketing Executives;
• Honorary Lifetime Board Member for Dedicated Services, Temple Israel, Minneapolis.

Minda has also served the Hennepin County American Red Cross, The Cricket Theater, the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce (as Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee), the Minnesota Jewish Historical Society and the Princeton University Alumni Association.