Communications Award – Established in 2016, the Oregon Chapter Communications Award was created in honor of the inaugural recipient: Eric “Bulldog” Jones.  The award, also referred to as the "Bulldog Award", recognizes individuals who are distinguished in the public works field for communication skills or techniques that bring awareness or educate the public and/or the profession about public works or public works communications.  For more information, contact Krey Younger.

Examples of distinguished contributions may include one or more of the following:

• Presentations at conferences on public works program or project communications; presentation on overcoming communications challenges

• Use of innovative communication techniques for public works programs or projects

• Develop and/or implement a complex communications plan for the benefit of a public works program or project

• Scholarly publications on technical and professional public works issues

• Significant contributions to chapter communications and publicity

• Presentations and training on communication skills and techniques to public works professionals

• Significant contributions to public works education

• Meets criteria for a related national APWA award such as Donald C Stone Award for Excellence in Education and Exceptional Performance Award (Journalism)

Award Submittal:

Krey Younger
GeoDesign Inc.
15575 SW Sequoia Parkway, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97224
kyounger@geodesigninc.com
503.726.3104

Previous years' recipients are available below:

2020

In 2020, the Oregon Chapter has a plethora of worthy recipients.  They are all equally deserving and the Oregon Chapter is happy to recognize them. 

Katy Kerklaan

NOTABLE NOMINATION APPLICATION QUOTE:

“Katy Kerklaan is the ideal candidate for the 2020 APWA Oregon Chapter Communications Award. She embodies a dedication and love for public works that touches countless people, and her significant contributions towards building the next generation of public works will pay dividends for years to come.”

Nick McMurtrey, PE, Murraysmith, Inc. (Nominator)

Read the application

Adrienne Lindsey

NOTABLE NOMINATION APPLICATION QUOTE:

“Adrienne Lindsey has been on the communications committee for the Oregon APWA Chapter for three years. She has lead the team by organizing monthly meetings, creating story lists, managing the Drop Box folders, as well as the social media accounts. Her attention to detail and humble drive for excellence has been invaluable. The chapter now has an archive of pictures and draft articles that will help tell the chapter’s story for years to come.

Adrienne is a communications expert, lending her skills pro bono to the Oregon APWA Chapter. The communications team is proud to have her and are excited to nominate her for the 2020 Excellence in Communications Award.”

Communication Team, Oregon APWA Chapter (Nominator)

Read application here

Jenifer Willer and Fred Wismer

Jennifer and Fred went above and beyond during the COVID-19 era.  They worked to revamp and rearrange the APWA learning/luncheon series for the Oregon Chapter, putting in a lot of their own time and effort.  For these reasons, the Oregon Chapter recognized Jenifer and Fred by bestowing on them the 2020 Communication (Bulldog) Award. 

Chase Welborn and Kaaren Hofmann

Chase Welborn and Kaaren Hofmann have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 era.  Chase and Kaaren were instrumental in the creation of a virtual 2020 fall conference for the Oregon Chapter of the APWA, putting in a lot of their own time and effort.  For these reasons, the Oregon Chapter recognized Chase and Kaaren by bestowing on them the 2020 Communication (Bulldog) Award.  

2019

John Brady and Portland Bureau of Transportation's Communications Team

John Brady, the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Communications Director, and his communications team are the award recipients for the 2019 Oregon APWA Chapter Communications Award. John and his team richly deserved to win the Bulldog Award for the work they did to promote and explain their bureau’s maintenance and construction work through a series of engaging videos for social media.

The team produced videos to explain to their constituents how and why different types of projects were done, including base repairs, grading and repairing gravel streets, crack sealing, curb ramp and grind and pave projects. They also produced a safety video, asking Portlanders to be careful around work zones. As crews perform each type of project, they would post these videos to social media like NextDoor and Facebook to inform and educate the public.

2018

Tony Jobanek

When it comes to public works communications, Tony Jobanek is the real deal. With a long history in public works and an educational background in business communications Tony has been helping public works professionals at all levels develop important - and sometimes overlooked - skills in communication, leadership and conflict resolution.

Read the application

2016

Eric Jones

The inaugural recipient, this award (also referred to as the "Bulldog Award") was named after Eric "Bulldog" Jones.