Frank Potter Cowan
Guest User
Long-time PPAGLA member and Honorary Member Frank Potter Cowan passed away peacefully from cancer on August 17th.
Friend Karen Terrill said “Frank created the Crisis Communications training at California Specialized Training Institute and through those classes he taught hundreds, probably thousands of communicators how to keep the public informed during a crisis. He could be tough, but that was because he was so passionate about teaching us how to get it right. And he always included humor in his workshops. Training seemed to come naturally to him. But I knew how hard he worked at it. I heard many people over the years say that Frank was the best trainer they ever had.”
Every year the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) presents the Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader Award to POS’s providing critical information to communities in trouble. Whether it is fires, floods, earthquakes, storms or civil unrest, there are PIOs in the trenches telling the public what they need to know. And in California, many of those PIOs learned how to get it done from Frank. Those PIOs are part of Frank’s legacy.
Frank had a long and varied professional career. He worked as a broadcast news reporter, a print photographer, a sworn police officer, an emergency response manager, and a PIO. But his friends and family knew that he was a trainer first and foremost.
Bob Riha Jr described Frank as “A mountain of a man that saved many, many lives through his training of PIOs and his belief to inform the public in times of crisis. My heart hurts like everyone he has touched, and I’m honored to call him a friend.”
Frank was also an advisor to PPAGLA’s Media Access Committee Media Guidebook which was published in 1992. He was a true friend and true supporter of the news media and the PPAGLA.
Rick Meyer said “As an Honorary Member, Frank didn’t have to pay dues, but he insisted and paid his dues every year. He loved the PPAGLA and was proud to be a news photographer.”
He leaves his wife Becki, son Brian, daughter Erin and four grandchildren, plus countless friends and fans.