IABC/Detroit Recognizes Lin Cummins as 2003 Communicator of the Year
DETROIT, July 17 -- IABC/Detroit recently awarded Lin Cummins, APR, senior vice president of communications for ArvinMeritor, Inc. as "Communicator of the Year." This is the 15th year that IABC/Detroit has recognized a communications professional for outstanding contributions to business communication through the practice and encouragement of professionalism and integrity in communications excellence.
Cummins directs the global communications efforts of ArvinMeritor, with overall responsibility for the corporation's communications policy and strategy that is executed through investor relations, executive and employee communications, media relations, marketing communications, corporate identity programs, and government and community relations. Before joining ArvinMeritor, she was vice president of Advanced Marketing and Worldwide Communications for United Technologies Automotive (UTA), where she was responsible for directing advanced marketing and communications global strategies and messages for the company, and served on the senior leadership team. Prior to that, Cummins spent 19 years at Ford Motor Company, serving in a number of senior international management positions. Cummins is a graduate of Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit, with a master's degree in speech and communications.
A team of people from ArvinMeritor nominated Cummins for the award, including Larry Yost, ArvinMeritor's CEO and Chairman. "Internally, I believe that the information we provide to our employees is the best. Nobody does it better," said Yost. "Externally, I always receive compliments from others that want copies of our communications pieces to use them as a benchmark of a well-managed brand. That's the best compliment."
John Bailey, president of John Bailey & Associates and 2002 Communicator of the Year, presented the award to Cummins. "She has earned what every business communicator wants, the ear of the decision-makers and a seat at the table," said Bailey.
"Lin Cummins has played a critical role in shaping the role of communications in industry," said 2003-2004 IABC/Detroit President Cindy Orlandi, APR. Orlandi, a contributing writer for Corp! magazine, wrote a feature on Cummins, which appeared in the June issue. "Her leadership and mentoring qualities will help continue to expand the role of communications in business."
Oliver Moore, editor-in-chief of Corp! magazine, made a special tribute to Lin Cummins at the Renaissance Awards banquet following the awards presentation on June 17. Gerald Turgeon, who was recognized by IABC/Detroit in 1991, chaired the committee that selected this year's Communicator of the Year. Nominations for the 2004 Communicator of the Year award will be accepted beginning in early 2004. Watch the IABC/Detroit web site at www.iabcdetroit.com for more information.
IABC/Detroit is one of the largest chapters of the 12,000-member International Association of Business Communicators. A not-for-profit organization, IABC links communicators in a global network that inspires, establishes and supports the highest professional standards of quality and innovation in organizational communication. The Detroit IABC chapter brings together about 250 professional communicators from all areas of expertise to share learning and foster increased creativity. For information on IABC membership and IABC's special summer promotional offer and prize drawings, visit www.iabc.com . Additional information on the chapter and its free electronic job referral service for employers is available at www.iabcdetroit.com or by calling 248-546-5490.
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