Linda Evans, who worked for four decades in journalism and communications in higher education, was named the Communicator of Achievement by Virginia Professional Communicators during its spring conference Saturday, May 2, 2015.

COA is the highest honor bestowed by VPC. Evans will go on to compete against other state winners for the National Federation of Press Women COA honor. The award is bestowed upon members who have distinguished themselves within and beyond their profession.

“Linda is highly deserving of this award,” said Gail Kent, president of VPC. “Not only has Linda had a remarkable and outstanding career in communications, she also has given of her time and talents to help many others.”

“She has been and continues to be active in VPC and other groups,” Kent added. “I also am impressed with her commitment to helping the mental health community.”

She began her career as a general assignment reporter at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg. She then transitioned into communications for Fredericksburg City Public Schools. For two years, she co-owned a boutique public relations and marketing agency serving small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Another transition took her to a career in higher education public relations that would span 35 years. She held director or assistant director of public relations positions for Mary Washington College (now University of Mary Washington), Randolph-Macon College and University of Richmond. Evans retired from UR in August 2014 and now fulfills writing, editing and public relations assignments for a variety of clients as an independent practitioner.

Evans has been a member of VPC and NFPW for more than 30 years, serving in several capacities at the state level. She has served as treasurer, district director, historian and conference chair. She also was a founding board member and president of the Virginia Press Women Foundation, an affiliated but separate nonprofit organization that raises funds and awards scholarships to college students pursuing careers in communications.

When not devoting time to VPC, Evans has served on the board of the Public Relations Society of America, Richmond chapter, as community service chair and chair of the independent practitioners group. She also served four years as president of the chapter’s nonprofit arm, Richmond Public Relations Foundation, an affiliated but separate organization that raises funds and awards scholarships to college students pursuing careers in public relations. She continues to serve as a member of both the chapter and foundation boards.

She also was active in College Communicators Association of Virginia and D.C. She served two terms on the board of directors, including one year as treasurer. As a board director, she helped to plan nine professional-development workshops at each of two annual conferences. She also helped organize two CCA conferences held at the University of Richmond.

She has won numerous state and national communications awards from VPC, NFPW, PRSA and CASE. She won an Award of Excellence from PRSA for a Civil War sesquicentennial PR campaign. She also won a Grand Gold national award (only one awarded) for publications improvement for “Richmond Now,” a publication Linda edited for the University of Richmond.

Evans has been a board member of the Hanover Mental Health Association since the mid-1990s. She is currently serving her fifth year as board president. In that role, she has implemented a strategic plan, developed a new budgeting process, created an endowment, introduced a course for the public called “Mental Health First Aid” and created a website, logo and e-newsletter for the association.