Thomas E. Robinson, Community Services Director for the City of La Mirada, has been named winner of the 2006 Paul B. Clark Award by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO). The award recognizes exceptional service and career achievement by public communicators. Robinson accepted the award at the annual CAPIO training conference at which he was also a keynote speaker.  A founding member of CAPIO, which is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, Robinson was nominated by colleagues from other agencies. Factors considered in the nomination process include: long-term service to the field of public communications; mentoring of others; fostering a greater understanding of the public information function among colleagues, the community, and the media; and embodying the ideals of integrity and trust in public service.

As a former CAPIO president, Robinson helped to provide leadership to the organization during its formative period and assisted with many of its training programs. CAPIO has grown significantly over the years, and with more than 300 members is now considered the leading statewide organization focusing on public communications. CAPIO strives to offer innovative ongoing training and educational opportunities to public information professionals while promoting ethics and integrity in public service.  As Community Services Director for the city of La Mirada, Robinson directs parks and recreation, social services and transportation programs. He also directs production of the award-winning “La Mirada Living” newsletter, annual calendars, the city’s website, news releases and a variety of other publications.

Robinson, who holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from California State University Long Beach, is a member of the American Society for Public Administration. An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, he is currently president-elect of the Rotary Club of La Mirada.

CAPIO’s Paul B. Clark Award was created in 1985 to recognize outstanding contributions of one of its members to the field of public information. The late Paul B. Clark was the city of Carson’s public information officer at the time of the founding of the Southern California Association of Public Information Officials (SCAPIO), which later became the statewide organization, CAPIO.