The Cheryl A. Soward Communicator of Distinction Award
Designed to honor the best and the brightest in the field of government communications, the Cheryl A. Soward Communicator of Distinction Award recipient is selected by the TAMIO Board. The Board chooses an individual who is a government communication professional, public information officer, and/or administrator who has excelled in the communication field.
A former television reporter and anchor, Cheryl A. Soward was named the director of public information for the City of Corpus Christi in 2002. In a relatively short municipal government career, she amassed a wealth of expertise through membership and participation in TAMIO and 3CMA. Cheryl was a member of the TAMIO Board of Directors when she lost her battle with leukemia in 2006. The Cheryl A. Soward Communicator of Distinction Award was created to remember and honor Cheryl’s life and career and to encourage the level of participation, education, networking, and enthusiasm for her profession that she brought to her membership in TAMIO.
Amy Sprinkles
| Year | Name | City |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Amy Sprinkles | City of Grand Prairie |
| 2023 | Dorothy White, CPC | City of Garland |
| 2022 | Jay Socol, CPC | City of College Station |
| 2021 | Will Hampton | City of Round Rock |
| 2020 | Tom Bryson, CPC | City of Farmers Branch |
| 2019 | Belinda Willis, CPC | City of Mansfield |
| 2013 | Dr. Laura Bright Dr. Jacqueline Lambiase |
Texas Christian University Texas Christian University |
| 2012 | Sharon Logan, CPC | City of Coppell |
The Founders Award
The Founders Award was created in 2024 to recognize individuals whose early leadership and lasting impact helped shape the foundation of our organization and the profession of government communication in Texas.
TAMIO as we know it today—a thriving, respected network of government communicators—didn’t happen overnight. In the early 2000s, the organization began to shift from a loose affiliation to an active, influential professional association. Membership expanded, annual conferences took root, and the TAMI Awards were launched to celebrate excellence in municipal communication.
Among the driving forces behind this transformation were Laurie and James Kunke, former journalists turned public sector communicators. Laurie served as Director of Communications for the City of Irving until her retirement in 2012. James continues to serve as Director of Community Relations and Tourism for the City of Lewisville. Both are past presidents of TAMIO and longtime champions of the organization’s mission. Laurie and James Kunke were recognized with The Founders Award during TAMIO’s 50th Anniversary Conference in 2024.
