FPRA Southwest Florida Chapter Member Joseph Abreu Earns Professional Public Relations Certification

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Joseph Abreu, APR, CPRC of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), recently earned professional certification in public relations and received the designation of Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC).

Earning the CPRC credential distinguishes senior members of FPRA who have demonstrated understanding and mastery of core public relations principles and ethical practices and have been certified to act as public relations counselors. Currently, there are 132 CPRCs in Florida, including 19 in Southwest Florida.

As the chief communications officer for the Clerk & Comptroller of Lee County, Abreu is responsible for all internal and external strategic and crisis communications, media relations, emergency management, and reputation/brand management. He previously managed communications campaigns and strategies for the Clerk & Comptrollers of St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties.

Abreu is the current national chair-elect and will serve as 2024 chair of the Public Relations Society of America. He is a recipient of the PRSA Sunshine District’s Trailblazer Award and the PRSA Palm Beach Chapter’s Hall of Fame Award. His PR campaigns and tactics have earned him more than 40 national, state and local awards.

Additionally, Abreu is accredited in public relations, a FEMA certified Advanced Public Information Officer, and has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida. 

To earn the CPRC credential, candidates must have 10 years of experience in the field; have earned the APR designation, which is the first tier of accreditation; and successfully complete a verbal presentation and pass a five-hour written exam.

About the Florida Public Relations Association

The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida.  For more information on the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association, visit www.fpraswfl.org.