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Winners of the 2025 STAR Awards Announced
October 2, 2025
Winners of the 2025 STAR Awards were announced during the October 2 celebration aboard the iconic Queen Mary in Long Beach.
These awards recognize excellence in government video programming in 40+ categories including Community Event Coverage, Best City | County Services Information Video, Human Interest, Public Safety, PSA, Sports Programming, Social Media, Election Coverage, Parks & Recreation and more.
Call for speakers – 2026 Annual Conference
Submit your session idea today!
We are opening up our CAPIO 2026 Annual Conference call for speakers and welcome presenters to bring their fresh topics and engaging education. The conference will be held at the Town and Country in San Diego, May 11-14, 2026.
2025 STAR Awards & Compact Symposium on the Queen Mary
Celebrate the winners with us in Long Beach
Join us for the 2025 STAR Awards luncheon aboard the iconic Queen Mary on October 2—an event you won’t want to miss.
John Pope selected as the 2025 Paul B. Clark recipient
During the Special Awards Dinner at CAPIO’s Annual Conference, John Pope received the prestigious 2025 Paul B. Clark Achievement Award that recognizes change-makers who demonstrate exceptional leadership and career-long achievement in the field of public information through professional commitment.
CAPIO’s COTY renamed the Scott Summerfield Communicator of the Year Award
In a surprise announcement at the 2025 CAPIO Conference, outgoing
President Tom Christensen revealed that one of the year’s top
honors in government communications will now bear a new name: the
Scott Summerfield Communicator of the Year Award. The
announcement came during his final moments as President.
Jennifer Nance Wins 2025 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communicator of the Year Award
Jennifer Nance, Communications Manager and Public Information Officer for the City of Ventura, is proud to be recognized as the recipient of the CAPIO 2025 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader of the Year Award for her exemplary efforts during the Pierpont Gasoline Leak incident in September 2024.
Introducing CAPIO’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors
CAPIO is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 Board of Directors who oversee and guide the strategic direction for the association. As the state’s leading government communications association, the California Association of Public Information Officials serves our 1200-member network of public communicators through training, networking and professional development opportunities. The new board members will be officially inducted as officers during the April 3 luncheon at the CAPIO Annual Conference.
CAPIO Chirp Episode 17
Celebrating Women's History Month with three CAPIO entrepreneurs
Enjoy learning more about three women’s professional journeys from PIO to entrepreneur during this episode of the CAPIO Chirp. CAPIO’s podcast hosts interview Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR, CEO and Founder of RMG Communications; Jenny Windle, President and Founder of JPW Communications; and Sheri Benninghoven, APR, Principal, SAE Communications. Hear about their adventures and tips for success in business from these three Paul B. Clark recipients and longtime CAPIO members.
CAPIO Chirp Episode 16
CAPIO Conference Preview
Listen in while our podcast co-hosts interview CAPIO’s incoming president, Brie Anne Coleman, APR, as she shares conference highlights and insights about how to make the most of your time at the CAPIO Conference this spring. Learn about our keynote speakers, EPIC Awards, Special Awards and networking tips for our 2025 CAPIO Annual Conference being held April 1-4 in Napa, CA.
CAPIO Chirp Episode 15
Special Edition: Behind the Scenes at the Palisades Fire
In this special edition of the CAPIO Chirp podcast, Chloe Castillo, a Deputy Public Information Officer for CAL FIRE, takes us behind the scenes of the Joint Information Center (JIC) during the Palisades Fire. From managing international media attention to balancing the multilingual and localized communication needs of the community, Chloe shares invaluable insights for communicators tackling the complexities of crisis communications on the front lines and advice for communicators looking to assist.
CAPIO Chirp Episode 14
Celebrating Great Communicators
During this episode our podcast hosts interview CAPIO’s 2024 Special Award Winners. Each year CAPIO honors several individuals with distinctions including our Communicator of the Year, Rising Star, Crisis Communications Leader and Paul B. Clark awards. These awards recognize individuals who have had a distinctive impact at their agency or in government communications state-wide. We begin this interview with our 2024 Paul B. Clark recipient, Maurice Chaney, PIO for City of Roseville’s Environmental Utilities. Next, we hear from the County of Fresno’s communications team Sonja Dosti, APR, Joshua Dean and Michelle Avalos who were honored with our 2024 Crisis Communications Leader of the Year. Joshua Dean was also recognized as our 2024 Rising Star. The episode wraps with an interview with our 2024 Communicator of the Year, Kevin Strauss, Communications Manager for the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency. Congrats to these outstanding communicators! Nominations are now open for our 2025 Special Awards. Learn More
Did you Miss our Partner for Success Webinars?
Catch up by watching the recorded webinars.
Are you seeking solutions to take the load off of your staff in 2025? Learn more about how our CAPIO Annual Partners can assist you with your upcoming projects or technology through these recordings featuring our CAPIO Annual Partners.
PARTNER FOR SUCCESS WEBINAR 1
Learn more about CAPIO Diamond Partner Tripepi Smith and CAPIO Platinum Partners Public Input and FlashVote through this 45 minute webinar.
CAPIO Chirp – Episode 13
Working on the BIG Stage - an Interview with Chris Meagher, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense
In this episode, we find out what it’s like to work for the government…the BIG government. Chris Meagher, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, discusses how he went from writing about sports to a position on the big stage working for the Pentagon and the White House.
CAPIO Chirp Podcast: Episode 12
Navigating First Amendment Audits: Strategies for Handling Audits and Staff Training Tips
In this episode of the CAPIO Chirp, we explore the growing trend of First Amendment audits and their impact on local government agencies. Ashley Metzger (1:35), consultant with Regional Government Services, shares her personal insight of audits and offers practical tips on preparation as a former water agency communicator. Next up attorney Deborah Fox (19:40), one of California’s foremost experts on First Amendment issues, provides legal insight, discussing the history and legal framework of these audits. Whether you work for a city, county, or special district, this episode equips you with the basics of how to handle First Amendment audits with confidence and the knowledge of where to look for additional training resources.
Fresno County Communications Team Wins 2024 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communicator of the Year Award
The California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO) has awarded the Fresno County Communication Team the 2024 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communicator of the Year Award for their extraordinary efforts to educate the public on the dangers of winter storms that struck the County in 2023. The number of atmospheric storms that impacted the Central Valley and the County had severe public safety scenarios that could have led to a more significant loss of life and injuries. The Fresno County Communications Team provided vital warnings and educational information on easy-to-reach channels to get the word out.
Maurice Chaney selected as the 2024 Paul B. Clark recipient
Maurice Chaney, an award-winning strategic communications professional with over 24 years of combined experience in the public and private sectors, was awarded the 2024 Paul B. Clark Achievement Award by CAPIO on May 15 in Indian Wells during the CAPIO Annual Conference and Awards Dinner.
In his current role, Maurice is the Public Information Officer for the City of Roseville. He manages public relations and outreach and oversees a hands-on learning center for Environmental Utilities, a suite of community-owned utilities for a community of nearly 160,000.
CAPIO Chirp – Episode 11
Enjoy our latest podcast highlighting our upcoming CAPIO Annual Conference
For this CAPIO Chirp, we are excited to interview Thomas Christensen, CAPIO’s incoming president, about all things conference! Enjoy a sneak preview of what is in store for attendees at our May 13 – 16, 2024 event being held in Indian Wells – it’s where the desert landscape becomes the backdrop for your professional recharge.
Strategies for Crafting Standout Entries for CAPIO EPIC Awards
By Jalel Braden, Communications Specialist, San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA)
Awards Entry Deadline extended to March 11, 5 p.m.
Episode 10
Salute Your Staff: Recognizing the People Who Stand Behind Your Agency
Check out the latest episode of CAPIO Chirp podcast!
In this episode, Scotty and Paul talk with two outstanding communicators, DeDe Cordell, Communications Manager for Yuba Water Agency, and Dan Fenstermaker, Media Services Specialist at the City of Brea. They share some awesome ways to give love and show support to their staff and creatively highlight the dedicated people and roles of their government agencies. Listen now