Patrick Holmes Earns APR After Five-Year Journey
Posted by admincarolyn on Nov. 18, 2025 / APR / Subscribe 0
What motivated you to pursue your Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) at this stage of your career?
I first started the APR process in Oregon in 2019. At the time, I reported to an APR who also reported to an APR. I observed how accreditation was valued by my leadership and realized that it was a great way to differentiate myself in the PR world. Before I could complete the process, I moved to California, and then the pandemic hit. I was never reconnected to PRSA until I moved to Las Vegas last summer, and that’s when I decided to finish my APR.
Can you walk us through your APR journey – from initial decision to study completion? What was the APR: Ready to Roll process like?
I decided to start the process right after moving to Las Vegas, and it was fast and furious at the beginning. Gretchen Papez and team do a great job of moving things along, so you don’t have time to hesitate. We quickly moved through the panel presentation process and attended several virtual sessions to prepare for the exam. After that, we were on our own to study and take the exam, but Gretchen did a great job of checking in and reminding me she was rooting for my success.
How did you balance the APR study process with the demands of your current role? What advice do you have for other members on how to prioritize professional development?
I had a lot of support from my manager, Lisa Kalkes. I recommend that anyone pursuing their APR engage their leadership in the process. Obtaining the APR is a learning process, and like any other professional development opportunity, it benefits both the individual and the organization they work for.
How do you plan to continue to apply your Accreditation in your career moving forward?
The APR has helped me refine my public relations practice and has given me a new vocabulary for talking about my work. It has allowed me to talk more confidently about my work and connect my decisions to proven theories and best practices.
How do you practice PRSA Las Vegas' mission and core values in your day to day practice?
Integrity has always been incredibly important to me, which is why the PRSA Code of Conduct and our chapter’s mission hold such significance. Building trust is more critical now than at any other time in recent memory. These guiding principles keep me focused on doing what’s right, not just for my company but also for the public I serve.
0 Comments