For Immediate Release

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 28, 2026 — The Public Relations Society of America Thoroughbred Chapter has announced the creation of its first named honor, the Tom L. Preston Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a career of extraordinary impact, integrity and leadership in the field of public relations.

 

The award is named in honor of Tom L. Preston, a founding member of the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter and one of Kentucky’s most distinguished communications professionals. Preston’s career has been defined by excellence in practice, a deep commitment to ethical leadership, and a lasting influence on generations of practitioners across the region and beyond.

 

Preston also holds the distinction of being the first Kentuckian elected to the prestigious PRSA College of Fellows, the organization’s highest individual honor.

 

Beginning with the chapter’s 2026 Awards Banquet on Sept. 24, the Tom L. Preston Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented annually to an individual whose career reflects the highest standards of the profession and a measurable, lasting impact on the communities they serve.

 

“This is one of those moments that reminds you why our profession matters,” said Marc Whitt, director of Media & Strategic Relations at the University of Kentucky and a leader within the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter. “Tommy Preston represents the very best of public relations, not just in what he accomplished, but in how he did it. His integrity, humility, and commitment to others have left a lasting mark on this profession and on all of us who have had the privilege to learn from him. It is only fitting that his name be forever associated with the highest honor our chapter can bestow.”

 

Preston, who was informed of the honor following the chapter’s April board meeting and a unanimous vote to adopt the new award, said he was both surprised and deeply touched by the recognition.

 

“I am incredibly honored and humbled by this,” Preston said. “To be recognized by peers and friends in a profession that has meant so much to me is truly special. I’ve been fortunate to be part of a field built on relationships, trust and service, and to see that continue through this chapter is something I’m very grateful for.”

 

In a fitting and serendipitous coincidence, the inaugural presentation of the award will take place on the eve of Preston’s 92nd birthday, adding a deeply personal and celebratory dimension to an already historic occasion.

 

The creation of the award reflects the chapter’s ongoing commitment to honoring excellence, elevating the profession, and recognizing those whose work has helped shape the future of public relations in Kentucky and beyond.