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# Mike Smith earns lifetime achievement awards from NPC and PRSA
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mike-smith-earns-lifetime-achievement-awards-from-npc-and-prsa/
- Published: 2024-12-21T19:08:56.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-21T19:08:56.000Z
- Author: Capitol Communicator
- Tags: People, Awards, #wp-bottom-left-sponsored, #Import 2026-10-08 18:54

[**Mike Smith**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesmithmsbd/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **was honored in December with distinguished professional service awards from the** [**National Press Club**](https://www.press.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **and the** [**Public Relations Society of America**](https://www.prsa.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**

According to a release, Smith received a leadership proclamation on December 16 from the National Press Club’s Board of Governors, on which he has served for the past three years. NPC cited Smith’s work on press freedom campaigns and helping to author a long-term strategic plan. He has been an NPC member for over 30 years. **Debra Silimeo**, president of the Silimeo Group, read the NPC proclamation citing Smith’s “passion for creating a collaborative and inclusive environment, and inspiring his colleagues.”

He then earned the “Senior PR Professional of the Year” award on December 17 from the PRSA National Capital Chapter. Smith has been actively involved in PR for 40 years in Chicago and Washington, D.C., and won a Silver Anvil Award from PRSA’s national organization for editorial writing. At the event, the board also honored **Larry Parnell**, a professor at George Washington University and director  
of the Strategic Public Relations program at the Graduate School of Political Management. Parnell (left) and Smith (right) as seen in picture above,

According to the release, “Smith started Michael Smith Business Development, Inc. in 1999\. The firm was launched by the Reston Chamber of Commerce after Smith earned an incubator award for his business plan from the “IncSpire” program. His firm is based in Falls Church, Va.; but today he spends most of his time in Bethany Beach, De. with his wife, Cheryl, whom he met at Langley High School. 

“Smith’s bio describes him as an “Insider” with deep connections in national media and political circles including on Capitol Hill. He has deep experience in account management, primarily in tech and public policy, at three of the largest PR firms in the world including: AE at Burson-Marsteller, Chicago Office; VP of Technology for Edelman PR Worldwide; EVP of Global Public Affairs and GM of the Washington Office for HAVAS PR.”

Smith was also a Certified Association Executive, Director of Public Affairs for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and an Associate Executive Director for the Newspaper Association of America (NAA).

Five years ago he sold the PR account assets of GreenSmith PR, LLC to Yes& Agency, LLC and worked at Yes& as a Senior VP for three years.