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RECOGNIZING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROFESSION
PROTOS also celebrated individuals whose leadership, mentorship and service continue to strengthen Orange County's PR community.
Tiffany Aguinaldo, APR received the 2026 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her longstanding commitment to OCPRSA, students and emerging communications professionals. Her service includes more than eight years on the OCPRSA board, serving as chapter president, mentoring young professionals and continuing to volunteer beyond her presidential term.
Jorgie Sandoval was recognized with the Rick Miltenberger Mentorship Award, honoring the role mentorship plays in empowering today's leaders to guide the next generation of communications professionals.
The evening's Hermes/Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Christopher Trela, whose career of more than 35 years has spanned public relations, journalism, education and the arts. Trela has published more than 3,000 articles and columns and has shared his professional experience with future communicators as a professor at Chapman University.
INVESTING IN WHAT COMES NEXT
While PROTOS celebrates the accomplishments of today, the evening also looked toward the future.
Raffle proceeds supported OCPRSA's YoPro Mentorship Program and PRSSA Sponsorship Program, helping local PRSSA students transition into PRSA by supporting chapter membership fees and connecting emerging professionals with mentorship, professional development and the broader communications community.
The 2026 PROTOS Awards ultimately celebrated more than trophies. They celebrated a community, and the intention, creativity, relationships and people that continue moving Orange County's communications profession forward.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 PROTOS Awards recipients, honorees and members of the OCPRSA community.
Here's to the Golden Horizon ahead.
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