The roots of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi extend back to 1956 when communications professionals in Jackson formed what is now the Central chapter of the association. PRAM expanded beyond Jackson in 1978 with the establishment of the Golden Triangle chapter in Columbus and again in 1981 with the formation of the Gulf Coast chapter in Pascagoula. Today, the association has 10 chapters.

In the 1960s, PRAM began co-sponsoring an annual Southern Public Relations Conference with the Public Relations Council of Alabama. At the 10th annual conference in 1973, PRAM and PRCA, with representatives from Louisiana and Florida, officially created the Southern Public Relations Federation. PRAM member Neal W. Cirlot, of Jackson, was elected as the inaugural chairman of the board. Mississippi delegates appointed to the board were Louise Risher, Orby Patton, Bob Sharman and William G. Taylor (alternate).

SPRF, along with eight other regional and national public relations organizations, is a participating member of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national body which administers the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) mark.

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Treasurer

Jean Cook, APR; Central

Secretary

Ashley Rea, Pine Belt

Member-At-Large

Dana Engelbert, Magnolia

Past-President

Matt Martin, APR; Pine Belt

SPRF Representatives

Patrice Guifoyle, APR; Central

Bill Moak, APR, Fellow; Central

Kim Foster, APR; Northeast

PAST PRESIDENTS

2007 – Pam Swain; Oxford/Ole Miss

2006 – Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, APR; Mississippi Beach

2005 – Chrystelle Thames; Central

2004 – Kim Collins APR; Northeast

2003 – Tracy (Heggins) Yanez, APR; Mississippi Beach

2002 – Robbie Coblentz; Starkville/Mississippi State

2001 – Robby Channell; Central

2000 – Dana Coleman; Pine Belt

1999 – Sheila Skipper; Central

1998 – Danny Gardner; Starkville/Mississippi State

1996/7 – Rex Kelly; Mississippi Beach

1995 – Alegra Brigham; Golden Triangle

1994 – Norman Gough; Central

1993 – Dr. John E. Forde, APR; Starkville/Mississippi State

PRAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS INDUCTION SPEECH

All PRAM Board Members are sworn in using the speech below.

As members of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, a confidence has been placed in your integrity and ability by your election to these respective offices.

Please raise your right hands and respond with Yes as confirmation:

Are you willing to accept the office to which you have been elected?

Will you perform the duties of your elected position to the best of your abilities?

Will you, in all your actions, strive for the good of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi and the public relations profession?

Now, repeat after me:

I will uphold and enforce

  the association’s constitution and bylaws,

  and will promote and support

  the purpose of the association,

  and follow the code of ethics

  adopted by the association.

You may lower your hands.

I now install each of you into the office to which you were elected.

Congratulations.