FORT WORTH PRSA NAMES NEAR SOUTHSIDE’S PAUL PAINE COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS (Sept. 22, 2017) — The Greater Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA GFW) has named Paul Paine as its 2017 Communicator of the Year. GFW PRSA’s Communicator of the Year is annually awarded to one community member who has demonstrated leadership and communications ability while involved with an issue or event of significance to the greater Fort Worth region.

Paine, president of Near Southside, Inc. and former Navy captain, will receive the 2017 Communicator of the Year Award at the sixth annual Worthy Awards gala on Wednesday, November 8, at the Fort Worth Club. Established by GFW PRSA in 2012, the Worthy Awards showcase exemplary programs and tactics created by public relations professionals in the greater Fort Worth region.

A committee comprised of GFW PRSA board members selected Paine as Communicator of the Year because he has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of collaborative leadership and communications skills to build a vibrant and culturally-rich community in Fort Worth.

“We’re beyond thrilled to honor Paul Paine as our 2017 Communicator of the Year,” said Claire Armstrong, president of GFW PRSA. “Paul exemplifies open, honest communication that inspires, informs, and shakes us out of complacency, while serving the public interest of the near Southside community and city of Fort Worth. Outstanding community leaders like Paul are what make this city such a tremendous place to live, work and serve.”

Since 2005, Paine has served as the president of Near Southside, Inc., a private, member-funded, 501 (c)(4) nonprofit organization working to revitalize the Near Southside. Paine also provides his skills and knowledge to area nonprofits, serving as chairman of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, and as a board member of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau and Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth.

“I am extremely honored to be recognized by PRSA for this prestigious award,” said Paine. “It is very humbling because no one person could ever accomplish the revitalization of a major city district alone. The greatest challenge in bringing a diverse group together around a common cause is communications, but it is the driver behind the team that gets things done.”

Paine served the U.S. Navy for 26 years, where he commanded a F-14 Tomcat Squadron, spent three years in the Pentagon, and was the commanding officer at the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base.

Previous Communicator of the Year award winners include:

  • 2012 – Joel Burns, Fort Worth City Councilman
  • 2013 – Betsy Price, Mayor of the City of Fort Worth
  • 2014 – Walter Danby, superintendent of FWISD
  • 2015 – Patsy Thomas, president of Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County
  • 2016 – Robert Earley, president & CEO of JPS Health Network

In addition to honoring Paul Paine as Communicator of the Year, GFW PRSA will present more than 60 awards to area public relations and communications professionals for exceptional work in the field of public relations and strategic communications during the Worthy Awards gala. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and awards presentation at 7:30 p.m., with improv comedy troupe Four Day Weekend serving as masters of ceremonies. Individual tickets are $85 for members, $100 for non-members, and $50 for students. Sponsorships and advertising opportunities are available starting at $100 to $1,500, and details are online at www.WorthyAwards.com.

ABOUT THE GREATER FORT WORTH CHAPTER OF PRSA (GFW PRSA)

The Greater Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (GFW PRSA) is an organization dedicated to enhancing the profession of public relations by promoting the professionalism of its members. Established in 1986 and serving more than 200 public relations practitioners in Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the chapter is comprised of public relations and communications talent in the corporate, nonprofit and agency sectors. Its members are agency leaders, corporate communication practitioners, crisis communication experts, investor relations executives, media relations and social media gurus, freelancers, “wordsmith” pros and more. For more information, visit GFW PRSA:

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