UL Representative named 2007 Spokesperson of the Year.

Press Release Summary:



John Drengenberg of Underwriters Laboratories has been named 2007 Spokesperson of the Year by PR News magazine. The award recognizes Drengenberg's ability and accomplishment in representing UL positively during more than 300 interviews with print and broadcast media over the last year. During that time, he talked with reporters about 50 different consumer safety-oriented topics that required technical expertise and knowledge of UL's product testing and certification efforts globally.



Original Press Release:



Underwriters Laboratories' John Drengenberg Wins Prestigious Spokesperson of the Year Award



Northbrook, Ill., November 21, 2007 -- Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) John Drengenberg has been named 2007 Spokesperson of the Year by PR News magazine. A standing-room only crowd helped recognize Drengenberg and 13 other category winners at the annual PR People Awards luncheon, held at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 8.

As one of the pre-eminent executive level publications covering public relations strategies and tactics across the U.S., the PR News' award recognizes Drengenberg's ability and accomplishment in representing UL positively during more than 300 interviews with print and broadcast media over the last year.

During that time, Drengenberg talked with reporters about 50 different consumer safety-oriented topics that required technical expertise and broad knowledge of UL's product testing and certification efforts globally. Topics included UL's recent groundbreaking study on smoke characterization, potential testing of toys, import safety, and safety certification requirements for E85 (alternative fuel) gas dispensers.

"John's innate ability to understand technical issues and communicate them understandably is vital to our organization's global public safety mission, and we are fortunate to have someone so dedicated," said Sara Greenstein, senior vice president and Chief Commercial Officer for UL. "This award is just the latest validation of the exceptional skill he demonstrates as both an engineer and communicator. We at UL are all very proud to have John represent us in our consumer safety awareness efforts."

Drengenberg was also runner-up for PR News' Spokesman of the Year Award in 2005.

A resident of Northbrook, Ill., Drengenberg has been an electrical engineer at UL for 40 years. After decades of testing various consumer products to UL Safety Standards, he began his role as UL spokesperson about 20 years ago when another UL subject matter expert had to decline an interview opportunity. John did his singular interview about holiday decorating with Chicago's now-defunct WCFL-AM station and was soon doing 10-15 interviews each year.

Today, Drengenberg averages more than 250 interviews each year and has talked to reporters at Good Morning America, CNN, The Today Show, Dateline NBC, Ask This Old House, Canada AM, TV Tokyo, Discovery Channel, and History Channel, as well as AP Radio, CNN Radio, Consumer Reports, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and various print and broadcast outlets in major markets across the country.

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