FPRA Southwest Florida Chapter Member Evelyn Longa Earns Professional Public Relations Certification

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 18, 2023) – Evelyn Longa, APR, CPRC of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), recently earned professional certification in public relations and received the designation of Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC).

Earning the CPRC credential distinguishes senior members of FPRA who have demonstrated understanding and mastery of core public relations principles and ethical practices and have been certified to act as public relations counselors. Currently, there are 128 CPRCs in Florida, including 17 in southwest Florida.

As the public information officer at Collier County Public Utilities, Longa leads the communications program to strengthen relationships with employees, customers and community organizations. She provides strategic PR counsel, manages media relations and directs brand storytelling across all social media, website and marketing channels. Her 20 years of experience in PR include managing global communications and public relations at IBM and overseeing community relations at the American Cancer Society. Longa holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Loyola University and a master’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

To earn the CPRC credential, candidates must have 10 years of experience in the field; have earned the APR designation, which is the first tier of accreditation; and successfully complete a verbal presentation and pass a five-hour written exam.

About the Florida Public Relations Association

The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida.  For more information on the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association, visit www.fpraswfl.org.