Distinguished Communicator Award (previously “HOF inductees”)
Brian Grystar has worked in television news for more than 25 years, serving as a video photographer, editor and media manager at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.
He began his career at the station as an intern in 2000 and was hired immediately after graduating from Slippery Rock University. Since then, he has contributed to nearly every aspect of broadcast production, both in the newsroom and in the field. His primary focus is visual storytelling, with a passion for documenting pivotal moments in Pittsburgh’s history through photography and editing.
In his time at KDKA, Grystar has performed a wide range of technical roles, including digital content production, studio camera operation, Final Cut Pro editing, video producing, ENG operations, live truck operation, and teleprompter work. His versatile skill set and long-standing commitment to local journalism have made him a key figure behind the scenes of Pittsburgh’s television news landscape. He is a recipient of a regional Emmy Award for his contributions to broadcast journalism.
Outside of his work at KDKA, Grystar has served as a freelance video photographer for WQED-Pittsburgh and as a photographer and audio engineer at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows through IATSE Local 820. He also works at Thunderbird Music Hall and shares his creative work through his YouTube channel, Grystar Vids. He remains an active member of IATSE Local 820.
Grystar earned a Bachelor of Science in communication with a concentration in radio and television from Slippery Rock University in 2000. While at SRU, he was involved with WRSK, the student production company, and club soccer.
Benjamin Mitchell is the senior director for creative and digital media at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics, where he leads a team of designers and digital specialists in shaping the department’s visual identity and digital content strategy. Since joining Pitt in 2019, Mitchell has overseen the evolution of the university’s creative platforms, including PittsburghPanthers.com, the Pitt Gameday App and the Pitt Panthers YouTube channel—each now ranking among the ACC leaders in traffic and engagement.
Mitchell has played a key role in modernizing Pitt’s brand presence. In 2023, he led a comprehensive refinement of the athletics visual identity, coordinating with licensing, merchandising and equipment services to align design standards across uniforms, facilities and merchandise. In 2024, he launched a rebrand of the department’s YouTube channel, introducing new workflows and consistent visual branding to enhance live event coverage and digital storytelling.
Before arriving at Pitt, Mitchell held leadership roles at Saint Francis University, Thiel College and Campbell University. He directed communications and creative services, built media teams, launched institutional style guides and developed core brand assets. He earned a master’s degree in education leadership from Saint Francis in 2008. A 2006 graduate of Slippery Rock University, Mitchell holds a double major in sport management and communication. As a student, he helped re-establish WSRU-TV and served as general manager for two years. He also completed internships at Villanova, Notre Dame, Westminster College and the College Football Hall of Fame. Mitchell is a member of College Sports Communicators and a past presenter at SkullSparks 25, a national college sports creative conference.
Al Jones is the senior music programmer for GymTV, a private television network broadcasting in more than 5,000 health clubs across the United States and Canada.
A music industry and media veteran, he has spent more than two decades at ClubCom, a Pittsburgh-based digital media company owned by Zoom Media, where he curates music video programming for fitness audiences, manages a library of over 300,000 titles, and develops artist promotional campaigns. His work includes playlist curation, content acquisition, demographic targeting, and partnerships with major labels and artists.
Jones began his career in radio, working as a promotions intern at WDVE-FM before stepping into on-air roles at WXDX-FM in Pittsburgh. He went on to serve as music director, imaging director and afternoon drive personality at WWWX-FM in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he oversaw programming and creative services for the station. He returned to WXDX-FM from 2003 to 2009, contributing as a weekend on-air personality and audio producer.
In his current role, Jones also manages internal software development, event entertainment, and artist engagement strategies. He was a featured panelist at South by Southwest (SXSW), where he spoke on music programming in the retail and fitness sectors. His work bridges traditional broadcasting and digital media, and he remains active in tracking and promoting evolving music trends across platforms and audiences. Jones earned a degree in communication with a minor in English from Slippery Rock University in 1996. As a student, he served as program director for WRSK Radio and treasurer of the Student Production Club (SRU-TV), helping shape the campus media experience during a period of transition and growth.
Deanna Tomaselli is vice president of client services at The Motherhood, an early pioneer in influencer marketing.
In her role, she leads client strategy across influencer engagement, social media and earned media relations, working with major consumer brands and nonprofit organizations. She also manages campaigns from planning through execution and measurement, drawing on a career that spans corporate, agency and in-house communications.
Prior to joining The Motherhood in 2020, Tomaselli held leadership roles at Red Havas, where she served as associate vice president, and at rue21 as media relations manager. Her work has earned consistent recognition, including multiple PRSA Renaissance Awards and individual honors such as PRSA Pittsburgh’s Member of the Year (2019), Rising Star Award (2011), and Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 (2014). She has also been recognized for her internal leadership, winning the IncREDible Work Award at Red Havas and the Big Idea Award at MARC USA.
Beyond her professional work, Tomaselli has made significant contributions to the Pittsburgh community and the field of public relations. She served for more than a decade on the PRSA Pittsburgh board, where she led public service initiatives including pro bono campaigns for NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s CEOs Against Stigma campaign. She is also a former president of the Pittsburgh chapter of Ellevate, a global women’s leadership network, and has volunteered with the Heinz History Center and PodCamp Pittsburgh. In 2025, she served as keynote speaker for the Rising Currents: NextGen PRSSA Conference and will begin supporting Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary’s communications efforts.
A 2006 graduate of Slippery Rock University, Tomaselli earned a Bachelor of Science in public relations, graduating with honors. While at SRU, she served on the executive board of PRSSA, was club president of the women’s lacrosse team, edited the communication department’s newsletter, and was a member of the American Marketing Association. She continues to support SRU through mock interviews, senior project judging and service on the communication department’s advisory board.
Chelsey Rovesti is senior marketing manager at Infectious Disease Connect, a health care technology company spun out of UPMC Enterprises.
In her role, she leads digital strategy for SaaS and telemedicine services, supporting demand generation, content development, corporate communications and branding. She serves as lead content strategist for the company’s website and digital properties, develops email and advertising campaigns, and supports sales enablement efforts including conference planning and marketing automation. She also contributes to internal culture as a member of the company’s employee council.
Previously, Rovesti held leadership roles in education and nonprofit communications. As director of marketing communications at UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, she oversaw all strategic communications and branding efforts, led a complete rebrand and website refresh, and supported record-breaking fundraising events. Prior to that, she served as director of communications at Central Catholic High School, where she led a full-scale brand redesign, managed crisis communications and expanded digital fundraising campaigns. Her earlier experience includes social media strategy roles at DICK’S Sporting Goods and Point Park University.
With more than 15 years of experience, Rovesti has supported a wide range of regional and national organizations, including CALIA by Carrie, Golf Galaxy, Quaker Steak & Lube, Cooper Tire, and The Pennsylvania Lottery. She specializes in brand development, digital storytelling, email marketing, and social media, with a strong foundation in data-driven strategy and cross-platform content development.
Rovesti earned a Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock University in 2010, graduating summa cum laude with a double major in communication—public relations and emerging technology and multimedia—and a minor in Spanish. As a student, she was involved with PRSSA, WSRU-TV, The Rocket, The Society for Collegiate Journalists and the varsity women’s lacrosse team. She remains active in the SRU communication department as a senior seminar judge and mentor, and she has served in leadership roles with PRSA Pittsburgh.
Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by Mark Razz)
Rodger Hicks, Class of 1982 (Bachelor of Science) and 1985 (Master of Arts)-
Rodger Hicks is currently a Military and Family Life Counselor. He has been awarded 6 Challenge coins for assisting service members and has been nominated for the Regional Director's Award twice. Previously held positions include Administrative Director/Director of Community Affairs for MBHW, Inc., where he consulted with community mental leaders to develop cooperative treatment services in Jefferson County, NY. and led a community-based mental health center. He has also served as the Director of Clinical Services and Education for Transitional Living Services of NNY and as a psychology instructor at Jefferson Community College/Empire State College for 16 years. He has been a facilitator and instructor of Total Quality Management, which provided specialty training and presentations for groups and individuals including hospital staff, administrators and physicians. He has trained hundreds of people in Motivational Interviewing, Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, stress management, and a wide variety of mental health topics.
Hicks received recognition from Allegheny County, Pittsburgh for Outstanding Drug and Alcohol/Mental Health Counseling in 1987. He also received a U.S. Army Medical Activity Certificate of Appreciation in 1998. In 2016 he received an Exemplary Leadership Award from Transitional Living Services of NNY. In addition to speaking to groups and organizations on mental health issues in NNY, he has been the keynote speaker for a mental health forum and a human services seminar in Watertown and Clayton, NY. A presentation he gave on social and emotional learning has now become part of the curriculum for new teacher orientation in some New York state public schools.
During his time at SRU, he served as president for both the music honorary, Mu Kappa Gamma, and SRU’s Jazz Band. He also was the drum major for SRU’s marching band for three years and a charter member of the Halftime Club. He was a member of other organizations including the theatre honorary, concert band, and Ginger Hill publication staff among others. He also served on the President's Inauguration Steering Committee and helped organize and perform for scholarship programs including The Spirit of Slippery Rock, Dollars for Scholars, and More Than Music. His love for music led him to DJ at WNFT/WRCK, where he hosted shows including “The Sanctuary Jazz Hour with Rev Rodger” and a classic rock show. He continues to be involved in local creative arts events in NNY and performs in several bands including "RAJAH."
Hicks graduated from SRU with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Resources Management with a focus in music/theater in 1982. Hicks also earned a master's degree in Counseling Psychology at SRU in 1985. During his time in graduate school, he served as the assistant director of the marching band, announced at football games, played in the jazz band and guested with the college orchestra.
He received the Outstanding Senior Man Award at SRU in 1982.
