Jack M. Berkman, is the President and CEO of Berkman Strategic Communications, a nationally recognized and multi-award-winning PR/ Communications and Branding firm, whose clients are among the most prestigious in their respective professional fields, regionally and nationally. He has more than 40 years of experience in the PR/Communications field.
Berkman is officially APR, Accredited Member of the Public Relations Society of America in 1976. In 2010, Berkman was officially inducted in Washington D.C. into the highly exclusive Public Relations Society of America’s College of Fellows, in recognition of his distinguished career in the practice of Public Relations; while long exhibiting personal and professional qualities as a role model for practitioners, and advancing the state of the profession. This is the single highest honor bestowed upon members of the Public Relations Profession nationally, and is awarded to less than 5% of the qualified members of the Society Worldwide.
Berkman Strategic Communications has earned over 70 Bernays Awards for Public Relations excellence from the San Diego Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The firm was awarded the highest National PR Award in the industry; the nationally prestigious Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil Award, for its representation of JABRA Media Relations Campaign.
Berkman was awarded in late 2018 the Andy Mace Award by the San Diego Press Club. This is the highest honor bestowed upon a Public Relations profession in this Region. This award is given to a PR practitioner who, over the course of his or her career, has exemplified fairness and integrity, and has effectively disseminated the truth to concerned publics. The award was named after long time PacBell Communications Director, whose ethics, integrity and trust was ever present in his professional conduct and unyielding support of the San Diego Press Club for over 30 years.
Berkman is an active member of The Rotary Club #33 of San Diego, since 1991. For the past five years he has served as the Chairman of the Rotary 4-Way Speech Contest. Berkman is a Life Red Coat Member of the Holiday Bowl.
Berkman currently serves on the Board of Directors of Star Pal United for Youth, Advisory Board of The Fern Street Circus. In his spare time, he assists worthy philanthropic organizations around the Country to raise money, by serving as a professional Auctioneer. He has raised over 3M for charities.
The Gaslamp Quarter Association recognized his achievements with a prestigious Lamplighter Award. Berkman was honored with the prestigious Eva Irving Community Service Award, by the San Diego Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for his exceptional community service, and contributions for over 35 years to the City of San Diego.
Berkman is an alumnus of LEAD San Diego. He has served as the first non-journalist President of the San Diego Press Club, and was named “PR Professional of the Year” by the Public Relations Club of San Diego. He has been a Director of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Symphony, Ruben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, and San Diego Repertory Theater.
Berkman is former Chairman and member of the Board of Directors, of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, which honored him as “Trailblazer of the Year”. In addition, he has served on such boards as The San Diego Blood Bank, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, The Downtown San Diego Partnership, Promises 2 Kids, as well as having been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as “Who’s Who in Public Relations.”
The San Diego Business Journal acknowledged him as one San Diego’s Most Admired CEO’s.
He is past President of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Film Commission.
His hobbies include snow skiing, world travel and world-wide dining and traveling to watch the Los Angeles Chargers.