For Immediate Release:
8/30/09

Contact:
Karen Grabowski, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 927-8000 ext. 215, kgrabowski@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism-advocacy organization, named South Florida Business Journal’s Darcie Lunsford as the 2009 Regional Director of the Year.

Lunsford has served as the Regional Director for Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina since 2007. When she assumed the responsibilities of being a Regional Director, a voluntary board position, she took time away from her personal and professional life to serve SPJ members. By volunteering to serve on SPJ’s national board of directors, she planned spring conferences, acted as a resource to chapters and performed exemplary service to the states’ SPJ members.

“This year, Darcie has gone above and beyond the call of duty for SPJ,” outgoing SPJ President Dave Aeikens said. “She served on the executive committee and volunteered to serve on the committee that reviewed the chapter star rankings … (and she) is currently serving on the executive director search committee.”

SPJ honors one outstanding Regional Director each year for exceptional service and contributions to his or her region and the Society during the preceding year. Nominations for the award may be made by chapters or members. Lunsford was honored at the President’s Installation Banquet Saturday, Aug. 29, during the 2009 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Indianapolis. At the banquet, 2008-09 SPJ President Dave Aeikens officially passed his duties to incoming president Kevin Smith.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

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