Florida Public Relations Association Names Dan Ward the 2013 Central Florida PR Professional of the Year; Curley & Pynn Recognized with Multiple Awards
November 13, 2013
By Kacie Escobar, MBA, APR
MAITLAND, Fla. (April 17, 2013) – Dan Ward, APR, vice president and partner of Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management, has been named the 2013 Central Florida Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Florida Public Relations Association’s (FPRA’s) Orlando Area Chapter.
Ward was selected by previous recipients of this prestigious honor for his dedication and contribution to the profession and the community. As a partner with Curley & Pynn, he leads award-winning teams, providing counsel to clients and offering experience in issues management, strategic communication, publicity and community relations.
During his more than 20 years in the profession, Ward has served a wide variety of clients, from the University of Central Florida (his alma mater) and one of the world’s most recognizable hotel operators to a major utility and one of Florida’s most distinctive Gulf Coast communities. His knowledge of strategic and crisis communications has made him not only a valuable and sought-after advisor, but also a frequent speaker to professional, government and nonprofit organizations locally and statewide.
“Dan Ward joined our team 18 years ago and during that time we have watched him become the consummate communicator he is today,” said , Curley & Pynn president and a previous Central Florida PR Professional of the Year recipient. “It has been an honor to have worked with Dan as he has grown from a tactician to someone I am glad to call, ‘partner;’ and I am just one of a number of communicators who are proud of his accomplishment.”
A proud University of Central Florida graduate, Ward serves on the boards for the UCF Alumni Association and UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication. In 2011, the Nicholson School of Communication inducted him into its Hall of Fame. He also serves on the communications committee for the American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region.
Under the leadership of Dan Ward and fellow partners Roger Pynn and Kim Taylor, Curley & Pynn was also honored with four awards at the 2013 FPRA Orlando Chapter’s Image Awards for exceptional work on behalf of its clients, including:
- An Image Award for the Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s annual publication, >florida.HIGH.TECH 2012. The publication urges growth of the high tech industry and innovation as a regional economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida;
- An Image Award for the “What’s New” eNewsletter developed for South Walton – an upscale destination of 16 unique beach neighborhoods along Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast – to keep open lines of communication with journalists;
- An Award of Distinction for the media event to open the EA SPORTS Innovation Lab that serves as a priority pathway for students to enter the video gaming industry in downtown Orlando; and,
- An Award of Distinction for designing and creating a new website for Lake Mechanical Contractors, a mechanical contracting company in Lake County.
About Curley & Pynn
Founded in 1984, Curley & Pynn provides counsel and advice and total program management to Florida professionals and corporate clients who recognize that in today’s business environment it is essential to communicate with all who have an interest in their success. Curley & Pynn is the Central and North Florida affiliate of MSLGROUP Americas, one of the world’s largest public relations firms. For more information, visit www.TheStrategicFirm.com.
