About Us

News

CRT/tanaka Staffers Receive “Top 40 Under 40” Distinction

Two employees honored for their professional achievements and community service

Richmond and Norfolk, Va, (November 8, 2007) –Two CRT/tanaka staffers have been honored with “Top 40 Under 40” distinctions for their professional achievements and contributions to the Richmond and Hampton Roads communities. Jeff Wilson, director of business development, was recently honored as one of Style Weekly’s “ Top 40 Under 40” in Richmond, and Kim Blake, senior account executive in CRT/tanaka’s Norfolk office, earned the same honor from Inside Business in Hampton Roads.

Committed to making a difference in the Richmond community, Wilson was a founding steering committee member of Go Read, a book-discussion group designed to build community in the metro Richmond area.  He also previously served on the public relations committee for the Salvation Army and volunteered with the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond and Southside Child Development Center. Wilson currently serves on the board of directors – as diversity chairman – for the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and as a member of the public relations committee for the Coalition for a Greater Richmond, an organization that strives to promote a new vision of leadership and regional cooperation within greater Richmond.

As one of the youngest members of Inside Business Hampton Roads’ “Top 40 Under 40,” Blake has made her mark in the Hampton Roads area through her community service.

She was part of the Lead Hampton Roads class that organized “A Sleep in the Park” to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness and dedicates time to organizations including the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Oceanfront Enhancement Committee, a subcommittee of Virginia Beach’s Resort Advisory Commission. Blake, who works in CRT/tanaka’s healthcare practice, also is the 2008 president-elect of the Virginia Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations.

“We are extremely proud of both Jeff and Kim,” said Mark Raper, CRT/tanaka chairman and CEO. “Their courage and commitment -- and the work they’re doing is transforming the communities where we live and work.”

The Style Weekly annual “Top40 Under 40” list highlights individuals who are involved, innovative and inspiring. The list recognizes Richmond-area residents who are leading the region, rallying for change and pushing the Richmond community to greater heights.

Similarly, Inside Business’ “Top 40 Under 40” applicants were evaluated for their vision and leadership, innovation and achievements, and strategies for success, with an emphasis placed on their community service including the impact of their volunteer work, their commitment and the diversity of their interests and involvement.

About CRT/tanaka
CRT/tanaka is an award-winning public relations and marketing firm, known for creative solutions and workplace culture. The agency was formed in 2005, when Carter Ryley Thomas acquired New York consumer PR agency Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc. to form one of the top independent agencies in the country. Headquartered in Richmond, Va. and New York, with offices in Los Angeles and Norfolk, Va.; CRT/tanaka specializes in three practice areas – Health, Corporate and Consumer. Through its legacy agencies, CRT/tanaka has been recognized with more than 260 national and regional awards for its strategic counsel, creativity and workplace culture. Clients include Sprint, Target Stores, Atkins Nutritionals, Capital One, Philip Morris USA, Charles Schwab & Co., Girl Scouts of the USA, Wines from Rioja (Spain), HoMedics, All-Clad Metalcrafters, VHA Inc., Performance Food Group and ITT Corporation.