ALUMNUS LAUDED FOR PR WORK

Alumnus John Truscott was recently awarded mid-Michigan's highest public relations honor - The PACE Maker of the Year Award - for significant contributions made to the PR profession.

Truscott, '88, is president and principal of Truscott Rossman, a full-service public relations agency representing local, statewide, national and international clients from its offices in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit. While helping guide expansion of the firm, Truscott also provides communications strategy and message development for its clients.

In 2001, Truscott founded his own public relations firm, The John Truscott Group, after serving as Director of Communication and Press Secretary to Michigan Gov. John Engler for more than a decade. His firm then merged with The Rossman Group in 2011 to become Truscott Rossman.

While working for Gov. Engler, Truscott was the youngest press secretary in the country and became the longest-serving press secretary for any governor.

He has led communication strategy for multiple campaigns for statewide office and took part in the Bush/Cheney transition office. He also served as spokesman for the Bush/Cheney campaign in Michigan and was a member of the Bush/Cheney recount team in Florida.

Recently, Truscott was appointed to the Michigan Capitol Commission by the Michigan Senate to a two-year term. His role is to make recommendations on PR, website, education and technology.

He also chaired the Emergency Public Information Committee by appointment of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which was mandated by Congress and analyzed the country's preparedness in communicating during a crisis, especially bio-terrorism and major public health incidents.

Throughout his career, Truscott has remained connected to his alma mater, and was just elected to the Advisory Council for MSU's International Alumni Association.

"I think the best part of my MSU experience has been the people I've interacted with over the years. You're always a Spartan once you go to MSU, and I've been able to meet and work with so many great Spartans. There's an immediate connection, and frankly, an instant friendship that cuts through the normal steps of a developing relationship," Truscott said.

One way Truscott stays connected to MSU is by speaking to classes.

"I've spoken to numerous classes over the years. Many of them have been political science and government related, but the ones that stick out are the communications classes," Truscott said. "I was honored to have worked as a student for Ned Hubbell when he was with the Michigan Department of Education. He was a great mentor. I came back and spoke numerous times to his classes during my career. He really taught me a lot about public relations and I was glad I was able to give a little back to his students."

The PACE Awards are awarded annually by the Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA) to public relations professionals who, in the judgment of their (out-of-state) peers, have successfully addressed a contemporary issue using exemplary skill, creativity and resourcefulness on behalf of their clients, with the PACE Maker of the Year Award being the top honor presented to an individual.

"This award is a tremendous honor for me," Truscott said. "To be recognized by your peers for the work you've done is extremely gratifying. I'm absolutely thrilled."

Truscott was honored at the CMPRSA's annual awards ceremony April 24 at the Old Town Marquee in Lansing, Mich., where his firm also won top honors for two public relations campaigns:

• Pinnacle Award in the Shoestring Budget category for its pro bono work for the World Dwarf Games, the largest sporting event held exclusively for athletes with dwarfism, which was held at MSU last summer. This campaign also was voted People's Choice Award winner by PACE Award event attendees.

• Pinnacle Award in the Community Relations Campaign category for its work with local housing company DTN Management to create a broad community conversation about the redevelopment of the East Lansing Park District.