Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall was honored with the prestigious Phoenix Award by the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The honor recognizes a CEO, business leader or community leader who has elevated the best practices of public relations.

“I am deeply honored, humbled and moved by this award,” said Hall. “This is really a reflection on the Diamondbacks organization and all of our employees for the great way in which we relate to the public and work closely with our fans, media members and clients.”

The Chapter has only bestowed the Phoenix Award 17 times in its history, with other legendary names such as Lou Grubb, Jerry Colangelo and last year’s winner Phil Pangrazio of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living.

Hall received the award during the event themed “Mastering the PR Puzzle” which took place at The Clayton on the Park in Scottsdale.

The Phoenix Chapter also awarded Abbie S. Fink, vice president and general manager of HMA Public Relations, with the Percy Award, which honors a professional who has demonstrated excellence in the practice of public relations, is an active supporter of PRSA Phoenix, and had made positive contributions to the Phoenix community. Christie Poole, PRSSA student with the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University — of which Hall is a member of the Hall of Fame — was awarded the Phoenix Chapter Student Scholarship.

Hall began his career in public relations, initially working for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league affiliate in Vero Beach, FL before joining the Major League team as Assistant Director of Public Relations. He became one of the youngest PR directors in MLB history in 1996 and eventually became the league’s first Sr. Vice President of Communications in 2000, a position he held with the D-backs in 2005.