Public relations specialist Laura Puerto has been named the 2008-2009 Florida Public Relations Association Southwest Florida Chapter Member of the Year.
She currently serves the SWFL chapter as Vice President of Community Relations and chairwoman of the Hospitality Committee.
This award recognizes one active FPRA member each year that goes above and beyond to ensure the success of the Chapter. It is earned by giving significant time and energy in the areas of creative thinking and actual participation in chapter programs and projects, supporting the chapter to help raise the level of professionalism in our community, exemplifying a professional attitude and standard of conduct, and supporting fellow public relations professionals. Puerto was secretly nominated by her peers for the surprise recognition. As one professional stated in the nomination: “Laura always says “yes” to any task asked of her and puts 100 percent into everything she does for FPRA…Laura has been an unwavering source of support and encouragement this board year.”
Puerto has been a member of the FPRA SWFL Chapter board and an employee of LCEC since 2003. She received the Rising Star award from FPRA SWFL Chapter in 2007.
Puerto also enjoys volunteering with organizations such as Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters and leads fundraising activities for the United Way.
A Florida-native and current Fort Myers resident, Puerto was raised on Sanibel Island where her family still resides.

Source: LCEC