Debbie Fitzgerald has been awarded the Chapter Champion Award from the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org), in recognition of her outstanding volunteer work for the chapter.

The award recognizes a member who has significantly contributed to the chapter’s success and is given monthly or when appropriate. Fitzgerald was presented with a certificate and an inscribed pen at the chapter’s monthly luncheon today.

“My first impression of the PRSA|GA chapter, just three months after moving to Atlanta from Los Angeles, was at the 2002 Awards Celebration," said Fitzgerald. "I came home completely inspired. Soon after I was introduced to the Independent Counselors Special Interest Group — a group that shares best practices, resources, referrals and laughs — I felt encouraged and quickly got excited about owning my own business. Ten years later I consider many PRSA members my friends and continue to enjoy fruitful and collaborative work with them as well."

She is president of Fitzgerald PR Inc., a boutique PR firm in Cumming founded in 2003 with her husband Tim Fitzgerald. She previously worked as a vice president for an entertainment-niche PR firm, and was director of marketing and PR for an animation and comic book company. Prior to working in PR, she held various positions in television production and the entertainment industry including at the William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

A member of PRSA|GA since 2002, Fitzgerald co-chaired the Silent Auction Committee for the annual Awards Celebration gala and will oversee both the Silent Auction and Sponsorship committees in 2013. She served as co-chair of the Independent Counselors Special Interest Group in 2010 and 2011. Additionally, she has been a frequent volunteer for the chapter, including advising at the “Quality Time With PR Minds” pro bono event; helping on the Membership committee; and judging awards of other PR organizations in different states.

Because of this type of volunteerism, the Georgia Chapter ranks as the No. 2 chapter in the nation and has been recognized for its best membership practices among PRSA chapters across the country.

PRSA|GA (www.prsageorgia.org), the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of some 850 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.

The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as nine Special Interest Groups (Corporate & Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Multicultural Communications, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel & Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.

The Chapter supports nine PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges:  Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens), and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).