Congratulations to the honorees of the 2025 Communicator of the Year!
As many of you know, PRSA is the leading organization for public relations professionals. It serves the communications community through more than 400 professional and student chapters.
PRSA has a track record of more than 75 years in advocating for industry excellence and ethical conduct.
Since the Volunteer Chapter’s inception more than 50 years ago, our chapter has recognized many leaders in the field of public relations and those in other fields who practice the best principles of public relations in service to their communities, customers, and constituents.
The honorees set an ever-higher standard for their professional accomplishments and the PRSA Volunteer Chapter is honored to recognize them.
As those of us in public relations know, the purpose of our profession is to build mutually beneficial relationships between the organizations we represent and the people those organizations serve.
When we face challenges, we have to hear and appreciate a variety of viewpoints work with stakeholders who may have competing interests and think creatively to find a path forward that is mutually beneficial.
Those practices are fundamental in public relations, and they are fundamental to outstanding leaders in other professions, including leadership in the field of higher education.
The best principles and practices in public relations are exemplified by the Communicator of the Year.
2025 Communicator of the Year
Eddie Mannis, President & CEO, Prestige Companies
Eddie Mannis is a first-generation entrepreneur who founded Prestige Cleaners in 1985, growing it from 3 employees to over 100 across multiple businesses, including Prestige Tuxedo and MarKit Brand Outfitters. His companies have earned accolades such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Southeastern Region Small Business of the Year and Community Leadership Award.
In 2011, Mannis served as Knoxville’s first Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Mayor. He is also the founder of HonorAir Knoxville, a nonprofit that has provided over 4,000 WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War veterans with trips to visit memorials in Washington, D.C. Mannis has also been widely recognized for his community service and leadership contributions and served in the Tennessee State House of Representatives during the 112th General Assembly.
2025 Ellen Liston Rising Young Professional Award
Kristen Gallant Bailey, Communication Specialist, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kristen Gallant Bailey is a Communications Specialist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she enhances audience engagement and stakeholder connections. Over the past year, she has led strategic social media efforts for the Tombras School of Advertising and the School of Information Sciences. With a background in multimedia journalism, she excels in crafting impactful narratives and advancing the university's communication goals.
2025 Student Communicator of the Year
Kiley Fenn, public relations major, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kiley Fenn, a junior from Annapolis, Maryland, studies public relations with a minor in business administration. She is the PRSSA Director of PR and serves on the Advisory Board for CREA, a Nicaragua-based nonprofit. With experience as an influencer intern and social media manager, she is focused on a career in account and social media management.
Photos from the event curtesy of Lumos Media.