The Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced that Mrs. Beth A. Hardy, APR, is this year’s Thomas Jefferson Award winner. The Thomas Jefferson Award recognizes the achievement of a seasoned public relations practitioner who has made an ongoing commitment to the advancement of the profession. Mrs. Hardy currently serves as Goochland’s District 4 School Board Member, a position she has held since being elected in 2011. She recently completed her second term as Board Chair during the 2017 calendar year.
Mrs. Hardy is the president of Hardy Communications and has over 25 years of experience in public relations, with a focus on strategic marketing and communications planning for both public and private businesses.
In addition to her many accomplishments professionally and in her service to Goochland County Public Schools, Mrs. Hardy has served as a Board Member of the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), where she has focused her work on advocacy for public education through legislation, making various trips to Washington, D.C. to create awareness among members of congress to the challenges and opportunities around educational improvement. Her local efforts have benefited the students and families of Goochland as well. “The schools have benefited tremendously from the positive working relationship between the School Board and County Board of Supervisors,” said Mr. John L. Lumpkins, Jr., School Board Chair. “For going on seven years, Beth has tirelessly and consistently been in a lead role in the success of GCPS”
Mrs. Hardy will be recognized at the 71st Virginia Public Relations Awards, to be held in Richmond on Thursday, May 24. The Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is a professional organization that serves over 300 public relations practitioners living and working in Central Virginia, and has roots going back nearly 70 years.