Salem, OR (Oct. 26, 2022)—Salem Chamber member and public relations professional, G. Harvey Gail, received the Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award. He accepted the honor at the Oregon Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Annual Spotlight Awards on Oct. 7.
The statewide recognition is named for Ron Schmidt, who served as a press aide to Oregon Gov. Tom McCall. He was a partner in Pihas, Schmidt & Westerdahl, which was once one of the state’s most prominent public relations firms.
PRSA leader Sally Ridenour said, “When I think of community volunteers in Salem, I immediately think of Harvey. Because if there is something going on in our community that is doing good in our community, Harvey is behind it.”
Gail is President of both VanNatta Public Relations and Spire Management. He has helped organize PR training events for non-profit organizations, small businesses, and political candidates throughout his public relations career. Over the last two decades, his firm has mentored over 100 interns.
“When Harvey says he is going to do something, he does it. You can count on him; he is very dependable,” said Scott Snyder, General Manager of Grand Hotel in Salem. “I have incredible admiration for Harvey.” The award ceremony spotlighted Gail’s involvement with PRSA, Scouts BSA, and Rotary.
Watch his presentation here.
In addition to the statewide honor, VanNatta Public Relations/Spire Management earned three statewide awards:
- Internal Communications: VanNatta Public Relations for Introducing 911 Dispatchers to the Salem Fire Foundation.
- Printed Communications: Spire Management on behalf of Marion-Polk County Medical Society Chart Notes for Recognizing Women in Medicine.
- Feature Story: VanNatta Public Relations for World War II Vets from Salem Get to Soar in Vintage Aircraft.
About the Award: The Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award honors the outstanding use of public relations to support community improvement and important causes. It is presented to a public relations practitioner who has used public relations to better the community, engage others and further the practice and innovation of our profession.