GALVESTON, Texas – Isidro Reyna, deputy public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston district, earned the Accreditation in Public Relations credential while Sandra Arnold, APR, chief of public affairs for USACE Galveston, earned the Accredited in Public Relations + Military Communication designation from the Universal Accreditation Board, in early September.

"Earning the APR reflects mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in our increasingly complex profession," said John Forde, Ph.D., APR, Fellow Public Relations Society of America, 2011 co-chair of the UAB. "Practitioners who achieve the designation are demonstrating their commitment not only to our profession, but also to a strong code of ethics and to the betterment of their organizations and clients."

Professionals with a recommended five years or more of direct experience in public relations are required to provide a portfolio to the Readiness Review Panel outlining their experience; participate in a two-hour oral board comprised of three accredited practitioners who judge candidates on 16 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities; and pass a three-hour computer-based examination covering 44 key areas in public affairs ranging from ethics and law to communication models and theories.

“Attainment of this important credential and continuing professional development demonstrates the ability of our employees to meet the challenges of our diverse organization,” said Col. Christopher W. Sallese, USACE Galveston district commander. “Mr. Reyna’s and Ms. Arnold’s accomplishments are testament to their professional commitment to execute the Corps’ public affairs mission.”

Reyna joined the district as a civilian public affairs officer in 2009. Prior to his employment with the district, he worked as a public affairs specialist in the U.S. Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., and for the U.S. Army Operational Test Command Headquarters in Fort Hood, Texas. Previous to his employment with the federal government, he worked as a media relations specialist and account supervisor for a full-service public relations and advertising agency in San Antonio.

Reyna is a member of the PRSA and a 2008 graduate of the Defense Information School’s Public Affairs Qualification Course. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts with a specialization in public relations from Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio in 2006 and most recently joined a prestigious group of more than 5,000 active accredited public relations professionals in the U.S.

Arnold is one of approximately 20 professionals to earn the new APR+M credential since its establishment last May.

APR+M candidates must either serve as a military member (active or reserve) or be a Department of Defense civilian employee/contractor whose primary responsibilities involve military communications.

Arnold arrived at the district in 2010 following the completion of a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan as the Public Affairs Advisory Team director at NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan’s Region Command-North where she mentored Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police officers in all aspects of public affairs. She became the first civilian member of the PAAT in Afghanistan.

Arnold has been employed by the U.S. government as a public affairs practitioner for 15 years. She has assumed progressively responsible positions at assignments located in Asia, Europe and America.

Arnold earned a Master of Human Relations degree in 2001 from the University of Oklahoma, earned the APR credential in 2006, and is a Navy reserve public affairs officer.