Lisa Simon Named Chairman of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA)

Cherry Hill resident, Lisa Simon, president of Simon Public Relations Group, Inc. of Philadelphia, has been elected chairman of the 300+ member Philadelphia Public Relations Association, Inc. (PPRA), the oldest and largest independent association of its kind in the nation. Simon succeeds the position after serving as the organization's president for 2004-2005.

Besides president, Simon has served as PPRA's treasurer, vice president of membership, Gold Medal Award co-chair, first vice president, vice president, and Workshops chairperson, among other posts.

Prior to founding her agency, Simon Public Relations Group, Inc. (www.simonpr.com), Simon was public relations account executive for Ketchum Public Relations, Inc., and Earle Palmer Brown and Spiro, both of Philadelphia. She was also public affairs staff associate for The Medical Center of Delaware, in Wilmington, community relations specialist for the City of Farmington Hills, MI, and a reporter for Observer & Eccentric Newspapers of Livonia, MI.

Throughout her career, Simon has won numerous industry awards, including more than 30 Pepperpot Awards from the Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA); five Golden Bell PR Awards from the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International; a Jasper Award from the Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association; and two Berny Awards from the Professional Communicators of South Jersey. She has also served as president of the James H. Johnson Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

Simon holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester, in Rochester, NY. She resides in Cherry Hill, NJ with her husband and three children.

Founded in 1945, PPRA serves the entire Philadelphia region, including the surrounding suburbs. PPRA members represent a diverse cross section of businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the Delaware Valley including: arts and culture, aviation, banking and finance, broadcasting, education, energy, food services, government, healthcare, insurance, Internet, law, philanthropy, retail, sports, telecommunications, tourism and many more, as well as members who work with public relations and advertising agencies. Members hold positions ranging from entry-level to senior executive.

PPRA encourages a high standard of excellence among public relations practitioners; promotes programs of benefit to the general public; enriches the professional development of its members through various services and programs; and offers social fulfillment through camaraderie. Regionally and nationally recognized speakers regularly share their expertise with PPRA members and provide practical insights through workshops and special events.