Jack M. Berkman, veteran public relations executive and CEO of BERKMAN, a longstanding nationally-recognized, multi-award winning public relations, branding and marketing/communications firm, has been accepted for induction into the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) College of Fellows. “This prestigious selection recognizes public relations professionals for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of the public relations profession, PRSA and the community for more than 20 years,” said Judy Phair, 2010 chair of the 15-person panel and selection committee in New York City. “As a mentor and role model to PR professionals and students within each inductee’s state, region, as well as nationally and internationally, it should be noted that less than 2 percent of PRSA’s 22,000 member hold this lofty status.” “Words alone cannot express the absolute joy and professional satisfaction I feel as a result of finding out I have been accepted as a Fellow in PRSA,” Berkman said. “The profession of public relations has been my life’s work, and the leadership and integrity of my practice has meant everything to me. I am so proud PRSA has found it fitting to bestow upon me its highest crown of achievement in our profession. I intend to continue to be worthy of this prestigious honor for many years to come.” He will be officially inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows during an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16. A graduate from California State University, Northridge in 1969, Berkman has spent the last 40-plus years in the public relations profession. He immediately joined the public relations staff of General Motors in Detroit and later served as an account supervisor for Herbert H. Rozoff Associates Public Relations Counsel in Chicago. In 1973, Berkman joined the American Housing Guild in San Diego as national director of public relations, rising to director of sales and marketing. He then became vice president/director of marketing for Rancho La Costa Properties, a position he held until founding his public relations firm, Berkman Associates, in June 1976. In 1979, the firm became Berkman & Daniels, one of San Diego’s largest public relations agencies, before joining forces in October 1991 with Nuffer, Smith, Tucker, Inc. In October 1993, he established Berkman Marketing Group, now called BERKMAN, which since 1997 has earned more than 60 Bernays Awards for public relations excellence from the San Diego Chapter of PRSA. In 2006, BERKMAN won the prestigious PRSA Silver Anvil Award for his firm’s representation of Jabra, a world-leading provider of hands-free solutions for mobile phones, contact centers, offices and Unified Communications. Berkman is a 1986 alumnus of LEAD San Diego. He has served as the first non-journalist president of the San Diego Press Club, and was named “PR Professional of the Year” in 1987 by the Public Relations Club of San Diego. He has been the director of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Symphony, Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, and San Diego Repertory Theater. He is also former chairman and member of the board of directors of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, which honored him as “Trailblazer of the Year” in 1999. In addition, he has served on such boards as Imagination Express’s Pantomime Production Ensemble Board, San Diego Blood Bank, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Berkman has also been an executive board member of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, as well as having been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal since 1998 in its “Who’s Who in Public Relations.” His firm is currently ranked second by the San Diego Business Journal ranking of public relations firms regionally. Additionally, Berkman is an active member of The Rotary Club #33 of San Diego since 1991. He is a Red Coat member of the Holiday Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl Host Committee and also volunteers his time assisting nonprofit organizations by serving as the emcee and auctioneer for charity fundraisers locally and nationally. He is a member of the board of directors of Promises 2 Kids and the San Diego Film Commission. In 2006, he was named one the San Diego Daily Transcript’s “Top 120 Influentials,” and the Gaslamp Quarter Association recognized his lifetime achievements with the President’s Honorary Lamplighter Award. In 2007, Berkman was honored with the prestigious Eva Irving Community Service Award by the San Diego Chapter of PRSA for his exceptional community service and contributions for more than 33 years to San Diego. He has also served as a judge for PRSA’s Silver Anvil and Bronze Anvil Awards. — Courtesy submission