NEW YORK—Independent public relations firm principals from across the United States are among the senior industry figures who will serve on the jury for this year’s Americas region SABRE Awards competition.

Judges from small and midsize agencies include Rick French, chairman and CEO of French/West/Vaughan in Raleigh, NC; Jonni Hegenderfer, CEO and chief vision officer at JSH&A in Chicago; Tom Lindell, managing director of Exponent PR in Minneapolis; Maureen Lippe (pictured), CEO of Lippe Taylor in New York; and David Zapata, president of Zapwater Communications in Chicago.

“The SABREs have always recognized the most creative, effective work from across the industry, and there is no doubt that much of that work comes from small and midsize firms in markets from all across the country,” says Paul Holmes, editor of The Holmes Report and chairman of the SABRE judges. “Our judges reflect that fact, with many hailing from among the most successful independent firms in the nation.”

The jury also includes many senior client-side executives, as well as leaders from the largest global agencies.

Further details, including entry forms, can be found at the dedicated website, which is now accepting entries.