Chris Floore named Chief Communicator of the Year by national public relations organization

In August, PRNEWS announced its 2026 People of the Year, and Chris Floore, Macon-Bibb County's Chief Communications Officer, was named as one of the honorees of this year's class. He was selected as one of the "impressive in-house CCOs who not only advance their organization's corporate reputation but also fight for their department's seat at the table." He joins the Class of 2026 with the Chief Communications Officers from AMC Global Media and S&P Global.

"In an era where information is constant, Chris stands out by being intentional, clear, and empathetic. We are lucky to have him leading our communications," celebrated Mayor Lester Miller. "I've seen Chris take the most difficult, tangled challenges and turn them into clear paths forward. That is the hallmark of a true communicator."

Recognizing that communication is an essential function of local government and a key component of a successful strategy or project, Chris has built an office and team that has more than just a seat at the decision-making table. They are an integral part of the decision-making process, having proven the value of considering strategic communication at the beginning of all discussions.

"Local governments are so important to every aspect of our lives, and people deserve to know what's being done," says Chris. "Making sure people get that information takes intentional planning from the very beginning to make sure the story being told is clear, authentic, and memorable…and that it reaches people. It's so much more than just sending an email, getting a story on the news, or making a social media post with a picture."

"Under Chris's leadership, the Macon-Bibb Communications team has become more than a support function. It is a strategic partner in how our community understands progress, responds to challenges, celebrates wins, and rallies around causes that matter," says United Way of Central Georgia Director of Communications Philip Swicegood.

"Chris' work - and by extension his team - is about more than just communicating information to the public. They have not just increased visibility of and participation in our programs, they have helped ensure people feel seen, informed, and invited into the work," says District 5 Commissioner Andrea Cooke.

That's especially important these days when the biggest challenge facing communicators - especially in government - is breaking through the noise of the vast amount of information people are already receiving via emails, texts, social media, calls, apps, and more, and then getting them to trust what you're saying.

"He understands that the best communications work does not just attract media attention. It helps people see why something matters," adds Swicegood. "It turns programs into stories, statistics into impact, and government initiatives into shared community ownership."

"They use their skills to build trust with us and our audiences through collaboration, thoughtfulness, and a mindfulness of the real needs of our community," adds Cooke. "They listen, adapt, and refine their approaches to ensure messaging remains both effective and authentic."

"Telling people's stories is at the core of all we do…using their authentic voices to show the impact of all our crews, departments, and partners are doing to move the community forward," adds Chris.

"Communications has never been more strategic, influential or essential to organizational success," Kaylee Hultgren, Associate Publisher of Awards and Content at PRNEWS, said in the announcement. "This year's People of the Year honorees represent the professionals who are setting that standard every day. From seasoned executives to emerging leaders, they are driving innovation, navigating complexity and elevating the impact of communications across every sector."