Seven honored for their leadership on behalf of organization, faith-communications
Public relations and the communication field are vastly different than back in the late 1980’s or even the 1990’s. From Rolodex contact lists to sending news releases by fax, from learning what URLs and emails were to pitching ideas by phone, technology and tools have undergone major improvements.
However, the goal of telling an organization’s story in order to foster awareness and engagement hasn’t changed.
And several Religion Communicators Council members were recently honored for their long-time devotion to and work on behalf of RCC and the communication field.
The designation is unique – life members are retired professionals who have been a member of RCC for at least ten years and have made significant contributions to RCC and faith-based communication.
Congratulations to the following who were recently named by the Board of Governors as life members of RCC:
- Adlai Amor, former associate general secretary for communications and IT for the Friends Committee on National Legislation;
- Dr. Douglas Cannon APR, Fellow PRSA, former public relations and reputation management professor at Virginia Tech;
- Deb Christian, former director of production at UMR Communications, the parent company of The United Methodist Reporter, a newspaper that served the interests of The United Methodist Church;
- George Conklin, former director of marketing and public relations for Worldwide Faith News; (George passed in late July 2025)
- Rev. Dr. Dan Gangler, former director of communications for the Indiana United Methodist Conference;
- Philip Poole, APR, Fellow PRSA; former executive director of university communications at Samford University in Birmingham and adjunct instructor in public relations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and
- Dr. Andrew Rawls, former director of Media Services for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
They cumulatively represent more than 248 years of experience and expertise, including years of service to RCC. Their roles are varied and numerous: all were on many committees, including annual convention planning, the 10-year Congress events, DeRose and Wilbur award chairs, and programming chairs.
Many were on RCC’s Board of Governors, several were former presidents, others were chapter representatives or newsletter editor; and all spent innumerable hours working for the good of the membership.
“By recognizing their long-time involvement in and leadership of RCC, the Board celebrates their significant contributions to both our organization and the profession,” explains Ryan Koch, president of RCC’s Board of Governors.
“RCC would not be the successful organization that we are without their time, energy and effort.”
Koch adds, “I recall as a new RCC member how this group shared their knowledge with colleagues. They were instrumental in welcoming and mentoring new members, making connections and tirelessly working to better our organization.”
This class of honorees joins four others who have previously been recognized by RCC as life members.
For brief bios of the seven honorees, and other life members, visit religioncommunicators.org/life-members.
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Contact:
Ginny Hizer
Religion Communicators Council (RCC)
513-607-3194
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.
