The John L. Thomason Award has been given since 1986 to a CHPRMS member to recognize professional excellence in the public relations field, as well as outstanding community service and civic achievements.
A founding member of CHPRMS, John Thomason served as president of CHPRMS in 1975 and was director of public relations at Spartanburg Memorial Hospital (now Spartanburg Regional Medical Center) from 1969 to 1986.
John's strong belief in professional excellence for the public relations field prompted his wife to create the award after his death in 1986.
Nominations for the award are made by CHPRMS members. The winner is chosen by the CHPRMS board of directors and announced at the fall conference. Nominations are submitted in writing to the Society's president on the official nomination form before each annual fall conference.
Past recipients of the John L. Thomason Award include:
2009 - Eric Fletcher
2008 - Dan Corrigan (posthumously)
2007 - Don Dalton
2006 - Andre LaCroix
2005 - Clinton Weaver
2004 - Julian Gibbons
2003 - Jamie Adair
2002 - Joan Carroza
2001 - No award given
2000 - Stacey Brown
1999 - No award given
1998 - Judy C. Smith
1997 - Renee Romberger
1996 - Betty Hinson
1995 - Emerson Smith
1994 - Keith Thomason
1993 - Jo Carol Torrez
1992 - Phil Whitesell
1991 - Linda Staunch
1990 - Eston Clark
1989 - Bill Stancil
1988 - Pat Mebane
1987 - Elliott Taylor
1986 - Nancy Seymour & Marthanna Banks (joint winners)
