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Ruth Jacobson – 2009

Ruth Jacobson’s career at Fleishman-Hillard spanned 45 years of developing special events and public affairs projects. For her efforts, the company presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Several years later, Fleishman-Hillard officially recognized her as one of its founders, naming one of its headquarters conference rooms for her. Besides her laundry list of major accomplishments at Fleishman-Hillard, Ruth was honored as the first female member of the prestigious Noonday Club in St. Louis. She was a frequent guest lecturer on public relations and on women’s issues at the area’s universities. Her listing of pro bono community work was extensive, and she was a member of the International Women’s Forum, from whom she received their “Woman Who Makes A Difference” award.

Robert Hillard – 2007

When Robert Hillard teamed up with Alfred Fleishman in 1946 to form a public relations firm, Hillard’s creative background in writing and creativity helped impress the clients whom Fleishman brought into the firm. He’d been a reporter for the St. Louis Star-Times, but the PR business offered the kind of challenges and rewards he’d been seeking. Serving clients like Union Electric and Anheuser-Busch, the small Fleishman-Hillard firm grew quickly, and when Hillard stepped down as CEO in 1974, the company was on its way to becoming the largest PR firm in the U.S. He retired from the business in 1982.

Marty Hendin – 2008

Hendin joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 as assistant public relations director. In 1995, he was named vice president of community relations in which he became responsible for representing the Cardinals at various events in the St. Louis-area and on many civic and charitable boards and committees. He also was responsible for special events such as opening day, anniversary activities and coordinating on-field, pre-game activities. A native St. Louisan, Marty was a graduate of University City High School and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He was selected Ad Man of the Year in 1987 by the Advertising Club of Greater St. Louis and was named Good Guy by the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association in 2006.

John Graham – 2007

John Graham joined Fleishman-Hillard in 1966 and rose through the ranks to become the agency’s CEO. He spent 30 years at the helm before restructuring the senior management team and stepping down as CEO in 2006. During his tenure, Fleishman-Hillard became the largest PR firm in the nation, based on annual revenues, with more than 80 offices around the world. He was named PR Professional of the Year by PRWeek in 2001 and received PRSA’s Gold Anvil for his contributions to the industry the following year. Graham was founder and served as chairman of the Council of Public Relations Firms.

Susan Gallagher – 2009

Susan Gallagher became the voice and face of AmerenUE, after she joined the company as manager of corporate communications in 1991. Prior to that, she had worked as a journalist and was involved in investor and media relations for financial institutions in other cities. When she arrived in St. Louis in 1989, she worked in Fleishman-Hillard’s investor and media relations unit. There her media relations efforts helped win the 1992 Silver Anvil from PRSA. At Ameren, she eventually became the company’s director of corporate communications, overseeing advertising, internal and external communications, as well as media relations. Susan also did community volunteer work. She was named Tutor of the Year with the YMCA’s literary organization and was a board member of EarthWays House and Grace Hill Neighborhood Services.

Charles “Chuck” Fruit – 2009

Charles “Chuck” Fruit was known in the national ad community for his work with two of the country’s top beverage companies, Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola. He’s also remembered for being one of the first ad execs in the country to recognize the potential of ESPN by signing a $10 million ad deal with the fledgling net giving A-B beer exclusivity. He worked in the brewery’s marketing department for 15 years Fruit is credited being the first to see the value in logo placement in televised sporting events, putting a Budweiser logo on the posts of a boxing ring, and he is credited with playing a major role in the rollout of Bud Light, making it the nation’s best-selling beer. In his work with Coke, Fruit oversaw the company’s Olympics and World Cup promotions.