President
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While on his bike as a kid delivering newspapers through Phoenix neighborhoods, Scott Hanson should have known then he’d become very “close” with the media for the rest of his life. And when he was going door-to-door, mowing yards all summer to earn spending money, he should have known how much he’d learn to love the green grass outdoors. And, when he began umpiring high school baseball some 30 years ago, he should have known then that it was an indication of how to make good decisions, deliver outstanding customer service and handle some tough public relations issues.
When he earned a Eugene C. Pulliam scholarship from The Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette as a high school student or the Arizona Broadcasters Association scholarship he won as a college student at Northern Arizona University, he should have realized then the signs of things to come. Scott has since earned several Copper Anvil Awards from the Public Relations Society of America, numerous writing awards from Associated Press, as well as a prestigious Gold Award for media relations from Bulldog Reporter Magazine. He has also been recognized for his communications expertise by numerous client-related industries, including a President’s Award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development.
Now, he’s president of HMA Public Relations and is one of only 450 PR practitioners to be admitted to the Public Relations Society of America’s distinguished College of Fellows and among only 20 percent of public relations practitioners nationwide to have earned his Accredited in Public Relations certificate from the PRSA.
He’s been with the firm since 1986, after working as a TV sportscaster for years. You can still find Scott on TV every now and then, whether it’s for the Valley’s PBS station, one of the network affiliates or one of the cable stations.
And on top of that, he stays busy in his spare time – as if he really has any. He’s a member of Valley Leadership Class XX and is active in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, formerly YEO. He is chairman of the Northern Arizona University School of Communications’ Advisory Council and is also the professional advisor for NAU’s PRSSA chapter. He’s currently on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Arizona and served for more than a decade on the board for The Arthritis Foundation’s Greater Southwest Chapter, as well as representing the chapter on the foundation’s National Awareness and Planning committees. Scott has also served on the board for the Society of Professional Journalists’ Phoenix Chapter. That’s plenty of board – and no bored.
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Abbie S. Fink – Vice President / General Manager
Alison Bailin Batz – Senior Account Executive
Rachel Brockway – Account Executive
Stephanie Lough – Account Coordinator
Katie Snyder – Account Coordinator
