Lou Gerig to be Honored as 'Indy PR Legend'

INDIANAPOLIS - Oct. 9, 2018 - PRLog -- Louis E. "Lou" Gerig, whose career in communications and public relations has brought him to the Reagan White House and to sensitive and important work on behalf of major American corporations and organizations, will be recognized as an "Indy PR Legend" at a luncheon next month.  The Indianapolis Public Relations Society (IPRS) will present the award to Gerig at the organization's monthly luncheon meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Christ Church Cathedral on Monument Circle.

The public is invited to join in the tribute, which will include remarks from several people who have worked closely with the honoree through the years.

Now the president of Sease, Gerig & Associates (SGA), an Indianapolis-based consultancy focused on management, communications and public relations, Gerig began his career as a teacher in the North White (Ind.) School System and worked as a reporter for the Monticello Herald Journal from 1970 to 1972.

After a stint as director of public relations at the University of Indianapolis (formerly Indiana Central) from 1972-78, Gerig headed to Washington, D.C., to serve as press secretary for U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar. In 1981, Gerig joined President Ronald Reagan's administration as an assistant to Press Secretary James Brady, where he was the liaison to all non-Washington press that did not cover the White House on a regular basis.

In 1982, Gerig returned to Indianapolis as vice-president of public and governmental relations for Merchants National Bank & Trust Co. of Indianapolis (now PNC Bank).

On Jan. 1, 1987, Gerig and his partners, Dr. Gene E. Sease and David Sease, purchased SGA, formerly called Howard S. Wilcox Inc. Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, today Sease, Gerig & Associates represents about 40 of the state's most prestigious companies and organizations.

"Lou's impressive resume underscores the fact that he is consummate professional who has done important and impactful work.  His peers in the world of public relations and communications also know him to be a very kind and gracious person who has shared his expertise with countless not-for-profit and community organizations," said Lisa Hendrickson, president of IPRS. "Lou Gerig has made a difference in his community and, indeed, his world, and we look forward to celebrating his great career next month."

A graduate of Anderson University, Gerig serves on his alma mater's board of trustees and chaired the board for more than 20 years.  He was named Anderson's  "Outstanding Alumnus" in 1981.

Recently, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed him as vice chair of the Governor's Residence Commission. He has previously served a variety of organizations, including Christian Theological Seminary, Wishard Foundation Board, Leukemia Society of North America (Indiana chapter), and Benjamin Harrison YMCA. He also chaired local, national and regional media coverage of the 1987 Pan American Games, which placed Indianapolis on the map as the "Amateur Sports Capital" of the world.

Gerig resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Beverly. They are the parents of two children, Nataly Gerig Wrege and J. Tyler Gerig, and have five grandchildren.

Ken Owen, special adviser to the president at DePauw University and former Indianapolis television news anchor/reporter (WISH, WRTV, WXIN), will emcee the Indy PR Legend Award event.

The award was first presented in 2008 to James R. Hetherington, long-time Indianapolis journalist and public relations executive. Subsequent honorees have been Robert L. Gildea, Myra Borshoff, Carl Henn, Ann Rein, Gretchen Wolfram, Donna Mikels Shea and Bob Dittmer.

The Indianapolis Public Relations Society, formed in 1949, is a limited membership organization comprised of senior-level public relations professionals.