Contact:
Cedric L. Bess
212-460-1495
cedric.bess@prsa.org

NEW YORK (October 24, 2004) – Herbert R. Brown, senior vice president, public relations, Western & Southern Financial Group, Cincinnati, Ohio, was honored today by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) with the 2004 Paul M. Lund Public Service Award.

The Paul M. Lund Public Service Award is presented to a PRSA member whose participation as a volunteer, in their community, has increased the common good and reflected credit on the Society.

2004 PRSA Honors and Awards committee chair, Gerard F. Corbett, APR, Fellow PRSA, presented Brown with the prestigious Paul M. Lund Public Service Award during today’s Opening General Session, which featured a keynote address by entrepreneur, author, executive producer and star of NBC’s hit series, “The Apprentice,” Donald Trump. This General Session was one of the many events taking place during the 2004 PRSA International Conference, Oct. 23-26, in New York City.

This year’s recipient, Herbert R. Brown, is a dedicated community leader – in education, business, civic organizations, and health and human services. In the Greater Cincinnati community and on a state and national level, a broad range of nonprofit organizations look to Brown for vision, counsel and leadership, often in challenging situations.

Brown began his career with the Western-Southern Financial Group in 1963 as a computer trainee. His varied career at Western-Southern has taken him to various departments – computer operations, human resources, community affairs and public relations. He is now senior vice president, reporting to the president and CEO.

Along with his impressive work credentials, Brown’s involvement with the community has been extraordinary. For nearly a decade he served on the Cincinnati school board, serving as president of the school board for one term. He has garnered many awards for his tireless work on community boards, such as Cincinnati State and Technical College, the Cincinnati Branch of Key Bank, the Boy Scouts, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Children’s Protective Service, the New Ohio Institute, the Ohio Athletic Commission and the Cincinnati Branch—Federal Reserve Bank. In addition, he has served as president of the Community Police Partner Center and of the Greater Cincinnati Arts and Education Center.

Throughout 30 years of volunteerism with United Way, Brown has been one of the organization’s most valued counselors and most enthusiastic proponents. He chairs the local United Way National Health agencies committee and serves on the National United Way Public Policy committee. In 2001, United Way recognized him by naming its African American leadership initiative, which he helped establish, The Herbert R. Brown Society.

By his peers, Brown is characterized as a “doer,” a problem-solver and a level-headed thinker. His community standing is particularly strong and he is often tapped to help bring together groups and start the healing process for community issues, as well as fundraise for community projects. Brown brings resources, both personal and corporate and the respect of the community to a long list of organizations and whatever meaningful opportunities present themselves. He is a consummate, compassionate and committed community leader with the patience and persistence necessary to overcome obstacles and persevere through periods of slow progress.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), based in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has more than 28,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into 116 Chapters nationwide, 18 Professional Interest Sections along with Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has 255 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.