Award-winning lightning protection expert and communications consultant Kimberly Loehr receives VPC’s top honor

Virginia Professional Communicators names Loehr 2023 Communicator of Achievement

RICHMOND, Va. — Kimberly Loehr, a lightning protection and communications consultant whose efforts to promote lightning safety awareness have had a positive impact on lives in Virginia and nationally, has received Virginia Professional Communicators’ 2023 Communicator of Achievement Award (COA). Loehr was honored at the group’s spring conference on May 5.

The COA Award is the highest honor bestowed by the state group to those members who have distinguished themselves within and beyond their profession. It is given for exceptional achievement in the communications field and service to the VPC; the National Federation of Press Women, with which VPC is affiliated; and the community.

“Kim has been an energetic unsung hero of and for Virginia Professional Communicators for well over a decade,” said Bonnie Atwood, a fellow VPC member who nominated her for this honor. “Her unique profession as a lightning protection specialist and communicator alone would be a qualifier, but her quiet VPC work and her community work shoot her over the top.”

“I’m honored and grateful to receive this recognition from an organization of respected leaders who’ve contributed so much to the profession of journalism and communications,” said Loehr. “To be recognized by such accomplished peers for work that’s been meaningful to me is so very special.”

Loehr is a co-owner of Richmond-based, Loehr Lightning Protection Co., a women-owned contracting firm specializing in lightning protection system design, installation, and consultation. As a longtime member of the National Lightning Safety Council, she helps promote efforts of the annual Lightning Safety Awareness Week campaign.

In addition to her involvement with VPC, she serves as president of the Virginia Press Women (VPW) Foundation, a nonprofit organization that awards an annual scholarship to support financial need and student excellence in journalism and communications.

Her articles, press releases, publications and public service campaigns about lightning protection and lightning safety have received numerous state and national communications awards.

“I’ve known Kim for many years and she is the consummate professional,” said VPC President Sande Snead. “On a personal note, she endured the shock of learning that her father died suddenly on her first day of college. This was a pivotal moment of her life and is part of the reason she is so passionate about her service on the VPW Foundation board.” 

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Virginia Professional Communicators is a statewide organization of professional women and men pursuing careers across the communications spectrum. Learn more at: www.vapc.org