Veteran PR Man Ed Grilli to be Honored by Regional PR Group

HICKSVILLE, NY (April. 2007) — Edward Grilli, a fixture for more almost three decades in the public relations industry on Long Island, will be honored by Public Relations Professionals of Long Island, the largest professional communications group in the region, with the Jack Rettaliata Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award will be presented at PRPLI’s annual awards dinner on May 22, 2007 at the Fox Hollow Inn in Woodbury. The event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with the awards presentation to take place during dinner, which begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 for PRPLI members and $100 for guests. Sponsorship and program advertising opportunities are available. For more information contact Flo Federman at (631) 719-3212 or ffederman@hrrllp.com.

Grilli, currently Executive Vice President of Hauppague-based Hawkeye Construction, recently retired as Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of the Long Island Power Authority. Prior to joining LIPA in 2001, Grilli spent 15 years as Press Secretary to Nassau County District Attorney, Dennis Dillon. He previously served as Press Secretary to the New York State Assembly Ways & Means Committee and worked as a broadcast journalist.

The Jack Rettaliata Award is a lifetime achievement award presented to an industry leader who has helped shape the public relations landscape on Long Island.

Other 2007 PRPLI honorees, accomplished individuals in the Long Island public relations or media communities, include:

• Michael Watt, President of the Long Island Partnership, who will be presented with PRPLI’s Long Island Achievement Award. The honor is given to a Long Island leader who has effectively promoted Long Island through special events, issues and other notable activities.

• Carol Silva, News12 Long Island Anchor, who will receive the Outstanding Media Member Award, which is presented to a journalist who pays particular attention to Long Island issues and topics and is a friend to Long Island’s public relations industry.

• Laurie Bloom, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Uniondale law firm Rivkin Radler LLP, who will be honored with the PRPLI Mentor Award. The award is presented to a public relations practitioner who exemplifies the tenets of PRPLI —advance, learn, share, network — and is an inspiration and source of encouragement to others in the field.

• Lee Peretz, Marketing Coordinator at Grassi & Co., the Lake Success-based certified public accounting firm, who will receive the PRPLI Rising Star Award, which is presented to a newcomer to public relations who exhibits exceptional talent and professionalism.

Since 1990, Public Relations Professionals of Long Island has been an integral part of the business community. Dedicated to the ethical practice of public relations, PRPLI’s mission is to aid the progress of the profession and to raise industry standards through educational forums, public programs, a code of ethics, and joint ventures with other professional associations and business groups. For more information about PRPLI visit www.prpli.org.

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