California State Information
Officers Council
P.O. Box 188372, Sacramento, CA 95818-8372 www.ca-sioc.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2011 Jeanie Esajian, President
News Release
California agencies win 63 honors in SIOC’s 2011 Awards
for ‘Excellence in State Government Communications’
SACRAMENTO — The California State Information Officers Council (SIOC) honored 13 state
agencies with 63 awards in recognition of .excellence in state government communications. at
its annual awards ceremony May 24 at the Delta King Riverboat in Sacramento. The California
Department of Fish and Game received the most honors, winning 21 awards. Ken August, from
the Department of Public Health, received the prestigious .Lifetime Achievement Award.. Tina
Walker, from the California Emergency Management Agency, was awarded the statewide
.Public Information Officer of the Year. award.
The quality of work exemplified by the 2010 awardees was truly remarkable in in the face of
many challenges,. said Jeanie Esajian, SiOC President. .This speaks to the professionalism and
tenacity of the state's Information Officers in continuing to break new ground in the field of
government communications..
The top career honor, SiOC’s Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Ken August, a Public
Information Officer at the California Department of Public Health. As a PIO and Deputy
Director for the nation’s largest state health department for the last 24 years, August served as
spokesman and managed high profile national, state and local media and advertising campaigns.
Well-known media relations activities coordinated by August include bio-terrorism, childhood
obesity, food-borne illness outbreaks and Medi-Cal and nursing home regulation issues. In his
capacities, August briefed senior executives for and managed successful interviews with CNN,
PBS News Hour, The Today Show, CBS 60 Minutes, national newspapers and other major
media outlets.
As the department’s Emergency Prepardness/Risk Communications Advisor, August was
instrumental in the response to the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, the 2010 pertussis outbreak and the
2011 radiation scare from Japan’s nuclear disaster. Other communication crisis efforts include
the response to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the West Nile virus.
Tina Walker was named statewide PIO of the Year for outstanding achievement in public
information service with the California Emergency Management Agency. Walker has earned
this recognition for her outstanding accomplishments during some of the most trying disasters in
California.
Walker has the ability to remain focused during stressful catastrophes. In January, while a
powerful storm pounded California, Walker coordinated a statewide 24-hour Joint Information
Center. This was the first of two Presidentially-declared disasters last year to which she
responded. Minutes after an earthquake shook Imperial County, Walker began emergency
operation activities to assist residents and local and state officials. During a natural gas explosion
on September 9 in San Bruno, California, she pulled together a team of Public Information
Officers and headed to the scene to coordinate media response.
As a featured speaker and trainer throughout the state, Walker is a leader in disaster
preparedness. She has provided free training workshops and led the agency in aggressively
expanding education.
Following are the 2011 SIOC honorees:
2011 SIOC honorees
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ken August
California Department of Public Health
PIO of the Year
Tina Walker
California Emergency Management Agency
News Release
Honorable Mention
Under the Influence of Recession: BOE Answers the Question, .Do People Drink More During an
Economic Downturn?.
California State Board of Equalization
News Release
Honorable Mention
Beneficial Bats Battle Bad Image...and a New Threat
Kyle Orr
California Department of Fish and Game
News Release
Silver Award
As Whooping Cough Illnesses Rise, CDPH Urges Vaccination
Office of Public Affairs
California Department of Public Health
News Release
Gold Award
Wildlife Experts Issue Warning About Controlling Rodent Pests with Poison
Dana J. Michaels
California Department of Fish and Game
Opinion
Silver Award
Green Rails, Quiet Rails
Alicia McGee
Amy Norris
CalRecycle
Opinion
Gold Award
Cougar Population Declines
Kirsten Macintyre
California Department of Fish and Game
Feature
Honorable Mention
Southern Sea Otters: Stuck in Recovery
David A. Jessup and Dana J. Michaels
California Department of Fish and Game
Feature
Honorable Mention
Understanding the Predator-and-Prey Relationship
Harry Morse
California Department of Fish and Game
Feature
Honorable Mention
Through the Gates of Spenceville Wildlife Area
Kyle Orr
California Department of Fish and Game
Feature
Honorable Mention
A Spirit of Cooperation: 20 years of Prevention in California
Alexia Retallack, OSPR
California Department of Fish and Game
Feature
Honorable Mention
Guarding the Port of Entry
Carol Singleton, OSPR
California Department of Fish and Game
Feature
Silver Award
California Ink: Be Safe With Body Art
Laurel Goddard
Department of Consumer Affairs
Feature
Gold Award
The Dating Game: Determining Freshness Takes More Than Just a Glance
Jean Bricarello
Department of Consumer Affairs
Annual Report
Gold Award
BOE 2008-09 Annual Report Quadfold
California State Board of Equalization
Newsletter
Silver Award
Office Visits
Victoria Stehl
David Byrnes
Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Newsletter
Gold Award
The Unsung Hero of Communications
Board Buzz, BoardList and CompConnection
Public Affairs Team
Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board
Magazine
Silver Award
Consumer Connection Fall 2010
Lisa Kinetz
Laurel Goddard
Jean Bricarello
Allen Grigg
Department of Consumer Affairs
Magazine
Gold Award
Outdoor California January-February 2010
Troy Swauger
California Department of Fish & Game
Brochure
Gold Award
Consumer’s Guide to Healthcare Providers
Lisa Kinetz
Jean Bricarello
Department of Consumer Affairs
Special Publication
Gold Award
Confronting the Challenge: Climate Change.
Outdoor California September-October 2010
Troy Swauger
California Department of Fish and Game
Training DVD or Documentary
Gold Award
Public Safety Wildlife Video
Mark Lucero
Doug Updike
Harry Morse
California Department of Fish and Game
Outreach & Education DVD
Honorable Mention
FOTEP: An Opportunity to Succeed
Cassandra Hockenson, Scott Sabicer, and Eric Owens
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Outreach & Education DVD
Honorable Mention
What Wardens Do: Marijuana Eradication
Patrick Foy and Matthew Elyash
California Department of Fish and Game
Outreach & Education DVD
Honorable Mention
Preventing the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
Patrick Foy and Matthew Elyash
California Department of Fish and Game
Outreach & Education DVD
Silver Award
Green Roads :60
Public Affairs Office
Alicia McGee
Amy Norris
Local Assistance and Market Development Division
Bob Fujii
Nate Gauff
Piper Miguelgorry
Kyle Pogue
CalRecycle
Outreach & Education DVD
Gold Award
Reaching Our Green Future
Vonnie Madigan
David Gerberding
California State Teachers’ Retirement System
PSA
Gold Award
Just Check it :30
Alicia McGee
Mark Oldfield
CalRecycle
Brand Identity Package
Honorable Mention
GoED
Carol Stover
Department of Consumer Affairs
Brand Identity Package
Honorable Mention
Get Across 80 Logo
Caltrans, District 3 and Katz & Associates
Brand Identity Package
Silver Award
Virtuosity>CalSTRS Powered by You
Vonnie Madigan
Lynette Blumhardt
Veronica Espinoza
Kim Tackett
California State Teachers’ Retirement System
Brand Identity Package
Gold Award
Putting the Brand on CalVCP
Public Affairs Team
Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board
Photography
Gold Award
Mountain Lion Capture
Harry Morse
California Department of Fish and Game
Promotional Device
Silver Award
Get Across 80 Tote Bag
District 3
Caltrans
Promotional Device
Silver Award
Warden Stamp
Meredith Fleener
California Department of Fish and Game
Promotional Device
Gold Award
I’m with the Band. T-Shirt
Meredith Fleener
California Department of Fish and Game
Poster
Honorable Mention
Foot Health Awareness Month
Will Floyd and David Byrnes
Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Poster
Silver Award
Could the Gulf Happen Here?
Alexia Retallack
OSPR
California Department of Fish and Game
Poster
Gold Award
Security & Disclosure
Marketing & Multimedia Services
Franchise Tax Board
Calendar
Silver Award
2010 Outdoor California Calendar
Meredith Fleener
California Department of Fish & Game
Calendar
Gold Award
2011 Energy Calendar
California Energy Commission
Event
Honorable Mention
Delta Clean Up
Alicia McGee, Mark Oldfield, and Amy Norris
CalRecycle
Event
Silver Award
2010 Holiday DUI Enforcement Kickoff Press Conference
California Office of Traffic Safety
Event
Gold Award
Just Check Campaign
CHP Safe Winter Driving Media Event
Alicia McGee
Mark Oldfield
CalRecycle
Public-Private Partnership
Gold Award
Office of Traffic Safety & Raley’s Public-Private Partnership
California Office of Traffic Safety
Media Kit
Gold Award
Media Resources "One Stop Shop"
California State Board of Equalization
Media Campaign
Honorable Mention
Your Responsibility Regarding Use Tax
California State Board of Equalization
Media Campaign
Silver Award
California's 2010 .Click It or Ticket. Seatbelt Enforcement Campaign
California Office of Traffic Safety
Media Campaign
Gold Award
Cash for Appliances. Media Campaign
California Energy Commission
Website
Honorable Mention
Find Your Board of Equalization Board Member
California State Board of Equalization
Website
Honorable Mention
California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program Website
California Energy Commission, Olena Bilyk, Brandon Chapin, Len Davisson, Chris Graillat, Ron
Schlichting
Website
Honorable Mention
Get Across 80 Website
Caltrans, District 3 and Katz & Associates
Website
Silver Award
CalSTRSBenefits.us
Vonnie Madigan
Chad Christman
California State Teachers’ Retirement System
Website
Gold Award
Cash for Appliances
California Energy Commission
Internet Outreach
Gold Award
Youtube.com Tutorials: ReadyReturn, CalFile, and Access My FTB Account
Marketing & Multimedia Services
Franchise Tax Board
Social Media
Silver Award
Social Media in Government Communications
Public Affairs Team
Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board
Social Media
Gold Award
California OTS Facebook Page
California Office of Traffic Safety
Other Web Resources
Silver Award
Board of Equalization Goes Mobile with Two New Apps
California State Board of Equalization
Other Web Resources
Gold Award
California Outdoors Q & A Column
Carrie Wilson
California Department of Fish and Game
Best Bang for the Buck
Silver Award
CalFile: Free California Taxes Online – California Couples
Marketing & Multimedia Services
Franchise Tax Board
Best Bang for the Buck
Gold Award
The State of the Flu and Other Immunization Issues
Norma Arceo
Ken August
Jason Baker
Melinda Beer
Matt Conens
Teri Hodges
Al Lundeen
Candace Marty
Ralph Montano
Ronald Owens
Autumn Padilla
Michael Sicilia
Jennifer Wong
California Department of Public Health
Independent judging was provided by prominent Sacramento-area public relations, media, and design professionals, who are neither members of SIOC, nor associated with the council.
The 2011 State Information Officers Council Board of Directors includes:
President Jeanie Esajian, Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board
Vice President Jennifer Turner, Department of Mental Health
Treasurer John Barrett, Franchise Tax Board
Awards Chair Yvonne Stewart-Buchen, Retired Information Officer
Awards Co-Chair Roni Java, California Environmental Protection Agency
Program Chair Sarah Dalton, State and Consumer Services Agency
Marketing Chair Mary Odbert, MCO Associates
Scholarship Chair Ron Owens, California Department of Public Health
Membership Chair Monica Nainsztein-Rodriquez, SpanishOne Translations
Immediate Past Ron Owens, California Department of Mental Health
The State Information Officers Council (SIOC) is a nonprofit organization offering professional
development and networking opportunities for public information officers throughout California. In
addition to its annual communications awards competition, SIOC raises funds to provide scholarships for
college students majoring in journalism, communications, and public information management. For
membership and other information, please visit www.ca-sioc.org.
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