Steve Turnbo Lifetime Achievement Award

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – Tulsa Chapter honored our very own Steve Turnbo with the first —The Steve Turnbo Lifetime Achievement Award this month during the annual Silver Link Awards.

The chapter recognized Steve for his 40-year career as a public relations professional in Tulsa, as well as his work mentoring the next generation of PRSA members. PRSA Tulsa plans to take nominations for the Steve Turnbo Lifetime Achievement Award, but they will only bestow the award upon someone who has invested in public relations and Tulsa with the same dedication as Steve.

A die-hard University of Tulsa fan, Steve began his career as the sports information director at The University of Tulsa. Three years later, he joined one of Oklahoma’s largest advertising firms where he worked his way up to vice president of the public relations division. In 1981, Steve started his own PR firm and later merged with Schnake and Associates, Inc. to create Schnake, Turnbo and Associates.

Throughout his career, Steve has given so much of his time to his community. His civic involvements include The University of Tulsa board of trustees, the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, Domestic Violence Intervention Service, Tulsa Regional Chamber and more.

Many professionals at this year’s Silver Link Awards spoke on Steve’s contributions to Tulsa, his steady mentorship and his kind friendship. The awards also recognized campaigns and tactics on a wide variety of subjects from sustainability to Medicaid to higher education. Michelle Brooks with the City of Tulsa received the Young Professional of the Year Award, and STF alum Kari Shults received the Public Relations Professional of the Year Award for her work at Tulsa Community College.

Since 1952, the Public Relations Society of America Tulsa Chapter has provided more than 100 members in the public relations, journalism, communications, advertising and marketing industries a sense of community and strategic professional development. The PRSA Tulsa Chapter hosts monthly luncheon networking opportunities and supports members as they seek accreditation in public relations (APR).

The Silver Link Awards is a way for Tulsa’s public relations community to gather for dinner and good company as we recognize the best in our field across a variety of categories. And this year it was all about Steve Turnbo.