CPRS Calgary 2018 President Chosen
Calgary – Tom Ormsby, APR is the new president of CPRS Calgary, taking over from Melanie Simmons, who led the organization from June 2017
Ormsby is an award-winning professional with over 30 years of experience in the PR industry working in areas such as crisis management, executive communications, and government relations. He has been employed with De Beers since 2006. In June 2009 Ormsby became the company’s Director of External & Corporate Affairs.
In 2016 he left Ontario when De Beers opened their Canadian Operational Support Centre in Calgary and was named Head of External & Corporate Affairs. Just one year later his department was named the North American Communications Team of the Year. Ormsby has also spent years involved with the Canadian Public Relations Society, serving in Toronto and most recently in Calgary as a board member before taking on the role as president.
“I’d say becoming president is a continuation of my involvement with CPRS and just the next step,” Ormsby says. “Calgary has a very strong local chapter – the fourth largest in the country – so I’m pretty excited for this opportunity.”
Ormsby says that he wants to focus more on making sure all members feel they are getting full value out of their memberships.
“We want to be able to help everyone in all aspects of their career. Whether just graduated and are starting out, have been working in the industry for a couple years or are approaching retirement,” he says.
He also mentions that participation in the Calgary chapter tends to ebb and flow over the course of a year and he wants to see participation remain strong throughout.
“We really want to create a greater member experience for all with a focus on networking, APR and professional development. Those are the things are members value,” he says. “We want to make more clear definitions too. What exactly do our members mean when they say they want more networking opportunities? We want to find that out and give them what they’re looking for. We really want to enhance the value of being a CPRS member in Calgary.”
For more info or to schedule interviews please contact:
Kimberlee Jones, APR
Chair, Communications Portfolio
CPRS Calgary
403-988-1202
