FPRA Orlando recognizes local professionals with top annual awards
(L-R) Roger Pynn, Jamie Floer, and Marc Espeso
FPRA Orlando is excited to announce this year’s winners of its prestigious annual awards and the renaming of its highest honor for career excellence from the “Central Florida Public Relations Professional of the Year for Career Excellence,” to “The Roger Pynn Award for Career Excellence.” This award was renamed after Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC, a longtime chapter member and supporter who in 1984 co-founded Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management, Orlando’s first public relations agency. After being a member of FPRA for nearly 50 years, Roger continues to give back through mentorship, volunteering and philanthropy.
“Being honored by FPRA Orlando Area Chapter is overwhelming,” said Pynn. “I am beyond grateful. These are my peers and friends in a professional association that has shaped my career, and this recognition is very kind.”
“When it comes to legacy in our chapter, few compare to Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC,” said José Luis Dieppa, FPRA Orlando Area Chapter president. “We’re thrilled to honor and celebrate his contributions to FPRA as a longtime local and State Board leader, Central Florida business owner and philanthropist with this recognition.”
This year’s Roger Pynn Award for Career Excellence was awarded to Jamie Floer, APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA – communications manager at Toho Water Authority. This award is the most respected honor given by FPRA Orlando each year and recognizes a local professional for a lifetime of leadership and outstanding contributions to the field of public relations.
Floer has demonstrated excellent career achievement spanning 20 years in the PR profession. Although she did not begin her career in public relations, she attended the University of Central Florida to study journalism. After many years in the journalism industry, Floer started working in public relations in 2001. She joined FPRA, earned her APR and CPRC credentials, and served as FPRA Orlando Area Chapter President in 2007. Floer’s superior professional capabilities were recognized in November 2022 when she was inducted into PRSA’s College of Fellows, the gold standard for public relations professionals with a rigorous admittance process.
In addition, FPRA Orlando recognized the winner of the ImPRess Award for Professional Achievement, which honors a public relations trailblazer in the Central Florida community. This year’s winner is Marc Espeso of Orange County Government. Espeso, digital communications editor and special assistant to Orange County Mayor (LGBTQ+ Liaison), was recognized for his leadership by developing integrated public relations campaigns and strategies that focused on public service and digital engagement. In his role as special assistant to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Espeso maintains relationships with federal, state and local partner organizations. Because of his efforts, employee engagement in LGBTQ+ events have increased by 300 percent over the last several years. Espeso has also provided counsel to Dr. Robert Karch, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH), on community education strategies for Mpox (monkeypox), HepA and Meningococcal Meningitis vaccines. This relationship led to several new nonprofit partnerships with DOH, as well as the first multi-day vaccination campaign during Pride Week. Espeso is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Business Administration.
Each winner will be formally recognized at this year’s FPRA Orlando Image Awards gala, located at the Rice Family Pavilion, Rollins College in Winter Park. The gala will be held on Tuesday, April 25, at 6 p.m. Guests can register to attend here.