Toshiba America Business Solutions' Corporate Communications Lead Rick Havacko has won the prestigious 2026 Merit Award for Public Relations excellence.

Merit Awards recognize the achievements of professionals in global industries and the markets they serve. The 2026 Merit Awards winners in the public relations category celebrate the most exceptional minds in that profession.

"Rick is making an indelible mark within the public relations profession while establishing a corporate communications standard for his organization," said Marie Zander, executive director, Merit Awards. "By consistently demonstrating creativity, ingenuity and definitive results, we are delighted to celebrate Rick's success while selecting him as our 2026 Merit Award Winner for Public Relations."

Establishing Communications Standard

Havacko helps Toshiba remain at the forefront of the business-to-business technology space by consistently delivering quality and timely news to local, national and trade media, as well as key market analysts. His efforts result in Toshiba besting its competition in nearly every key media relations measurable, including appearing in more favorable editorial coverage, along with the highest readership across the United States and Latin America (per Cision).

Havacko's story placements for Toshiba, its products and people appear in such prominent outlets as CNBC, U.S. News & World Report, Fox Business Network, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Morning Brew, CIO, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Business Journal and Washington Post.

He is a recipient of the 2025 PRNEWS People of the Year Award, Gold Stevie Award in The 2024 International Business Awards for Communications Professional of the Year and a Ragan Communications and PR Daily 2025 Media Relations Professional of the Year honoree.

"Rick's leadership has helped establish a clear, consistent and credible voice for Toshiba," said Kerstin Woods, chief solutions and marketing executive, Toshiba America Business Solutions. "His strategic approach to media relations delivers meaningful impact for our brand, and this recognition reflects the disciplined, high‑quality work he brings to the organization every day."

Havacko enjoys volunteering for worthy causes, particularly Breakthrough T1D, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. An admirer of the great outdoors, he also enjoys competing in Austin, Texas, sand volleyball, soccer and softball leagues.