The California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) presented its top award of 2003 to Tom Manheim, Public Outreach Manager for the City of San José. The Paul B. Clark Award is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes outstanding contributions by one of its members in the field of public information. The award was presented to Manheim at CAPIO’s annual conference, held this year in San Diego. “Tom Manheim is being recognized for excellence in the field of public information,” stated Linda Crabill, CAPIO President. “Tom’s dedication to promoting the goals of a democratic government through ensuring the public’s access to information about issues and decisions that affect their community is exemplary.” Manheim has worked in communications for 20 years, the last eleven of those for public agencies. Since 1996 he has been the Public Outreach Manager for the City of San José, where he manages public education, community outreach and media relations for citywide services and programs. Manheim is a past president and former CAPIO board member, and was responsible for researching and attaining non-profit status for the organization in its early days. Before joining the public sector in 1992, he was a broadcast journalist for more than a decade working for several California news organizations. His work included a stint in Los Angeles where he won a regional Emmy award for his work as a KCBS-TV news field producer, and leading CNN’s West Coast news-gathering operation as the Deputy Bureau Chief in its Los Angeles Bureau.

The Paul B. Clark Award is presented at the annual CAPIO conference to an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership in the field through professional commitment, including the mentoring of others and fostering a greater understanding of the PIO function among colleagues, community and the media. For photos of the awards presentation and more information about the Paul B. Clark Award, visit the Awards page.

The award was created in 1985 to recognize outstanding contributions by one of its members to the field of public information. Paul B. Clark was the public information officer for the City of Carson, and a founder of the Southern California Association of Public Information Officials (SCAPIO), which later became the statewide organization, CAPIO. Mr. Clark died in 1985 and was presented the first award posthumously. The California Association of Public Information Officials promotes awareness of the public information profession and its value by advancing standards of integrity, recognizing excellence and offering training and support for members. CAPIO is a proud affiliate of the League of California Cities. In addition to providing services to members, the organization offers mutual aid to other organizations. In the past few years, for example, CAPIO has assisted the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in efforts related to communicating about the state budget crisis; provided media relations, reporting, and public relations counseling services at the League’s annual conference; revised and published an essential manual for public agency PR professionals; and worked with the League on other special projects, such as the energy crisis. Standards of integrity, recognizing excellence and offering training and support for members. CAPIO is a proud affiliate of the League of California Cities. In addition to providing services to members, the organization offers mutual aid to other organizations. In the past few years, for example, CAPIO has assisted the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in efforts related to communicating about the state budget crisis; provided media relations, reporting, and public relations counseling services at the League’s annual conference; revised and published an essential manual for public agency PR professionals; and worked with the League on other special projects, such as the energy crisis. relations, reporting, and public relations counseling services at the League’s annual conference; revised and published an essential manual for public agency PR professionals; and worked with the League on other special projects, such as the energy crisis. Standards of integrity, recognizing excellence and offering training and support for members. CAPIO is a proud affiliate of the League of California Cities. In addition to providing services to members, the organization offers mutual aid to other organizations.

In the past few years, for example, CAPIO has assisted the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in efforts related to communicating about the state budget crisis; provided media relations, reporting, and public relations counseling services at the League’s annual conference; revised and published an essential manual for public agency PR professionals; and worked with the League on other special projects, such as the energy crisis.