Excalibur Special Honors
Submissions for Special HOnors AwardS are now open!
Enter the 2026 Excalibur Awards
Begin your 2026 Special Honors Awards Entry - Submit Here
The submission window for Special Honors award submissions is currently open. It will close Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m.*
*Dates/times are firm. Submissions will not be accepted after the deadline has passed.
Special Honors
The PRSA Buffalo Niagara Chapter awards program is not just about great work, but also great people. Each year, we recognize several special honorees at our annual Excalibur Awards.
Special Honors Awards can be given in the following categories:
The Ann R. Carden Rising Star Award honors an outstanding newcomer to the public relations field. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership potential through service to PRSA and/or the community during their initial years in the profession. They must have five or fewer years in the field, excluding internships or part-time employment while working on a degree. Nominees must be a member of the Buffalo Niagara Chapter and have maintained membership for at least one year.
The Outstanding Executive Award honors a Western New York business executive (CEO, Senior Director or Executive) who recognizes and supports the role of public relations in their organization and throughout the community. The nominee must be from outside the communications industry. They must show a dedicated commitment to the value of public relations and have a proven track record of the advancement of strategic communications as part of a business’s overall operating philosophy. Members and non-members of PRSA are eligible.
The May C. Randazzo Outstanding Practitioner Award is given to a Western New York public relations professional who, like May, has achieved exceptional professional success, displays the highest ethics, and is dedicated to serving the community and our profession. The recipient must demonstrate excellence in achievement, application, reputation, ethics, service to PRSA and community service. Nominees must be a member of the Buffalo Niagara Chapter.
The Board of Directors’ Distinguished Service Award is presented to honor a public relations professional who has a significant record of service to the chapter over a sustained period of time. Such a professional has strengthened the chapter – and, by extension, the profession – through volunteer service in a unique and noteworthy manner. They are honored as an ambassador for the profession by representing the highest ideals of ethics and integrity.
PAST Winners
Ann R. Carden Rising Star Award
- 2025: Alexander Dean
- 2022: Antonia Carter Redding
- 2021: Cassandra Kubiak
- 2019: Grace Gerass
- 2018: Marcene Robinson
- 2017: Matt Biddle
- 2016: Devon Slobodzian
- 2015: Justina Fetterly
- 2014: Phillip Weiss
- 2013: Beth Silverman Gruber
- 2012: Kate LaBrake
- 2011: Jennifer Gallardo
- 2010: Jessica Manocchio
- 2009: Kristin Van Dewater
- 2007: Seema Bhalla
- 2006: Virginia McAuliffe
- 2005: Kate Lewis
- 2004: Lori Vallon
- 2003: Charlotte Viscio
- 2002: Jennifer Hickok
- 2001: Kevin Buchholtz
- 2000: Jennifer Parker
- 1998: Jeff Patterson
- 1997: Kandis Fuller
Outstanding Executive Award
- 2025: Kevin J. Cross, Lippes Mathias LLP
- 2024: Eric Feldstein, M&T Bank
- 2023: John Persons, Tops Markets
- 2022: Rodney Grabowski, University at Buffalo
- 2021: Patti Stephen, Buffalo Prep
- 2019: John Somers, Harmac Medical Products
- 2018: Robert Wilmers, M&T Bank
- 2017: William Gisel, Rich Products
- 2016: Majed Dawood-Farah, Hyatt Regency Buffalo
- 2015: Tara A. Ellis, Meals on Wheels for WNY, Inc.
- 2014: Kenneth Houseknecht, Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc.
- 2013: Art Wingerter, Univera Healthcare
- 2012: J. Efrain Martinez, Charter School for Applied Technologies
- 2011: Arjang A. Assad, Ph.D., University at Buffalo School of Management
- 2010: Michael W. Cropp., M.D., Independent Health
- 2009: John Koelmel, First Niagara Bank
- 2008: Dr. John B. Simpson, University at Buffalo
- 2007: Richard Heist, CFRE, Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity
- 2006: Dennis Hefner, Ph.D., State University of New York at Fredonia
- 2005: Sister Edmunette Paczesny, FSSJ, Hilbert College
- 2004: John W. Kinner, Health Association of Niagara County, Inc.
- 2004: Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., Niagara University
- 2003: Mark Simon, Upstate New York Transplant Services
- 2002: Vincent “Jake” Lamb, Peace Bridge Expansion Project
- 2001: Arthur Goshin, M.D., Univera Healthcare
- 2000: Frank Colantuono & William McHugh, Independent Health
- 1999: Janet Maher, Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center
- 1997: Richard Geiger, Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 1997: Herbert P. Ladds Jr., Columbus McKinnon Corp.
- 1997: James J. Casion, Baker Victory Services
- 1996: Kenneth H. Cowdery, The Clarkson Center for Human Services
- 1995: Brian Lipke, Gibraltar Steel Corporation
- 1994: Richard Villari, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of WNY
- 1993: Nancy N. Turgeon, Maguire Advertising Associates
- 1992: Erland E. Kailborne, Norstar Bank
- 1991: Edward K. Duch Jr., Goldome
- 1990: Sister Mary Nasiadka, FSSJ, St. Joseph Hospital
May C. Randazzo Outstanding Practitioner Award
- 2025: Tom Lucia
- 2024: Andrea Gallagher
- 2023: Kevin Manne, APR
- 2022: Matt Davison
- 2021: Erin Collins, APR
- 2019: Therese Hickok
- 2018: Rene Petties-Jones
- 2017: Emily Perryman, APR
- 2016: Michael P. Hughes
- 2015: John DellaContrada
- 2014: Rose Caldwell
- 2013: Jacqueline Molik Ghosen, APR
- 2012: Frank Sava
- 2011: Michael Barone
- 2010: Beth Donovan, APR
- 2009: Barbara A. Byers, APR
- 2008: Deborah A. Silverman, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA
- 2007: Jeff Patterson, APR
- 2006: Karen Karaszewski, APR
- 2005: Julie Coppola Cox
- 2004: Nancy Fredrickson, APR & Linus Ormsby, APR
- 2003: Donald Goralski, APR
- 2002: Debra Park
- 2001: Ann Carden, APR, Fellow PRSA
- 2001: Kenneth Houseknecht, APR
- 1999: Kathleen Rizzo Young, APR
- 1998: Ronald Smith, APR
- 1996: Richard Shaner Jr.
- 1995: William Collins, APR
- 1994: Lynn C. Sidare
- 1993: Stanton H. Hudson Jr., APR, Fellow PRSA
Board of Directors' Distinguished Service Award
- 2025: Grace Gerass
- 2024: Lori Allan
- 2023: Rene Petties-Jones
- 2022: Michael Barone
- 2021: Lisa Eikenberg, APR
- 2019: Kevin Manne, APR
- 2018: Barbara Byers, APR
- 2017: Jacqueline Ghosen, APR
- 2016: John Senall, Fellow PRSA
- 2015: Ann Carden, APR, Fellow PRSA
- 2014: Thomas R. Lucia
- 2013: Deborah Silverman, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA
- 2012: Jeff Paterson, APR
- 2011: Richard Shaner Jr.
- 2010: Ronald D. Smith, APR
- 2009: Susan T. Siwiec, APR
- 2008: Stanton H. Hudson Jr., APR, Fellow PRSA
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Note: All efforts have been made to maintain historical accuracy of winners. If you notice a discrepancy, please email our webmaster with corrections.
