John Sweney Named CEO Communicator of the Year

Brookwoods Group co-founder and CEO John Sweney has been honored by the Public Relations Society of America Houston Chapter as its CEO Communicator of the Year for 2015.

Accepting the award at the 2016 PRSA Houston Excalibur Awards Gala on June 23, Sweney said, "The formula for CEO success is simple:  One, hire great people; two, give them clear measurable goals; three, make sure they have the tools to get the job done; and four, try to stay the heck out of their way!"

The CEO Communicator of the Year Award honors the outstanding performance of Houston area chief executive officers in their role as chief communicator. "The role of the CEO has evolved. Not only do they encourage and adapt to changing business models, but frequently the CEO must take the lead in communicating with employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to achieve success for their organization," according to PRSA.  Previous honorees have been:

• 2006   Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels
• 2007   Sam Holtzman, LifeGift Organ Donation Center
• 2008   John Hofmeister, Shell Oil Company
• 2009   John Sheptor, Imperial Sugar Company
• 2010   Greg C. Garland, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
• 2011   Bob Hale, Houston Association of Realtors
• 2012   Houston Mayor Annise Parker
• 2013   Jim "Mattress Mac" McIngvale, Gallery Furniture
• 2014   Dr. Marc L. Boom, Houston Methodist

Sweney asked all those at the gala who had been touched in some positive way by Brookwoods Group to stand up.  As many people in the room rose, Sweney noted, "The CEO Communicator of the Year is not MY honor; it is OUR honor.  Together, we have made a difference to this community, to this profession, and to each other's lives."

A note on this honor appeared in the Houston Business Journal at: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/potmsearch/detail/submission/5988692/John_Sweney