About Me

Strategic Communications Leadership
Chuck Norman, APR, is a distinguished communications executive and the Owner and Principal of S&A Communications, North Carolina’s longest-serving integrated marketing agency. With over three decades of experience, Chuck has established himself as a prominent leader in public relations, strategic marketing, and crisis communications, serving the business communities of Cary, the Triangle region, and beyond. His expertise is centered on providing C-suite level strategic counsel, helping organizations navigate complex challenges and protect their brand reputation.
A Philosophy of Partnership & Expert Counsel
His professional philosophy—treating every client’s business with the dedication of an owner—drives his results-oriented approach. This commitment has made him a sought-after advisor and speaker on topics ranging from reputation management and internal communications to the integration of AI in modern PR. Chuck’s career is marked by a deep commitment to advancing the communications profession, demonstrated through his extensive industry leadership. He has served as President of the North Carolina Public Relations Society of America (NC PRSA) and the 2019 Chair of PRSA’s prestigious Counselors Academy.
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- Job Title: Founder & CEO
- Nationality: United States
- Alternate Names: Charles Norman
- Honorific Suffix: APR
Chuck Norman: Education
Institution | Degree | Start Date | End Date | Description |
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North Carolina State University | BA - Communication, Public Relations | 1992 | 1996 | Chuck Norman has received a BA - Communication, Public Relations from North Carolina State University. |
Chuck Norman: Employment History
Company | Job Title | Start Date | End Date | Description | Information Links |
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S&A Communications | Owner/Principal | 2003 | S&A Communications is a full-service communications company providing public relations, marketing, event planning, web design, digital marketing, social media, association management, photography & custom print & electronic publishing services. S&A has approximately 40 employees. | More Info | |
Band Together | Advisory Board | 2007 | Band Together is an amazing story full of hope, optimism, and a dose of rebellion. Band Together was imagined by Triangle community leaders as a response to the tragedies of September 11, 2001. The vision has evolved from raising funds to support international tragedies to raising funds and awareness with a special nonprofit partner every year. Thanks to the tireless efforts of thousands of volunteers, generous corporate and individual sponsors, dedicated board members, musicians, and the generosity of our community, Band Together has risen to be a powerful partner to nonprofits in the Triangle Area. | More Info | |
Searstone Retirement Community | Board Member | 2006 | Searstone seamlessly combines cosmopolitan living with the convenience of a walkable community, providing access to the rich cultural, recreational, medical and natural attractions of a region celebrated for its high quality of life. Nestled in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Searstone is defined by its proximity to major universities and livable cities, attracting scientific, academic and corporate leaders. | More Info | |
Wells Fargo | Advisory Board Member | 2014 | 2022 | Chuck Norman served as an Advisory Board Member for Wells Fargo. | |
Counselors Academy - Public Relations Society of America | Chair | 2019 | 2019 | Founded in 1960, Counselors Academy is PRSA’s first Professional Interest Section and is dedicated to helping our members succeed through access to collaborative peer relationships, meaningful professional development and education programs, and information on best practices in public relations counseling. Our members’ exceptional willingness to share advice and information with each other distinguishes Counselors Academy from other associations of public relations counselors. | |
The North Carolina 100 | Author | 2016 | 2019 | The North Carolina 100 team is comprised of experts in journalism, public relations, photography and videography who recognize the need for a quick bi-monthly e-newsletter focusing on North Carolina. In response, we have created a blend of articles and videos that provide a quick yet thorough view into the people, news, events and ideas that shape our state. What sets The North Carolina 100 apart from other news outlets? The length of our articles and videos. We understand that our readers want stories that match the pace of their daily schedule, so each article is exactly 100 words and each video 100 seconds. Crafted on topics of intrigue, the North Carolina 100 offers bite-size morsels packaged around your busy life. | |
Cary Chamber of Commerce | Immediate Past Chairman, Board of Directors | 2014 | 2017 | Chuck Norman served as the Immediate Past Chairman, Board of Directors for the Cary Chamber of Commerce. | |
Cary Chamber of Commerce | Vice Chair of Economic Development | 2013 | 2014 | Chuck Norman served as the Vice Chair of Economic Development for the Cary Chamber of Commerce. | |
Wake Technical Community College | Advisory Board | 2009 | 2014 | Chuck Norman served on the Advisory Board of Wake Technical Community College. | |
PRSA Southeast District | Immediate Past Chair | 2013 | 2013 | PRSA Southeast District is one of the regional districts of the Public Relations Society of America. It includes the Alabama, Charlotte, Georgia, Lookout, Memphis, Nashville, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tar Heel, Tri-Cities and Volunteer Chapters. | |
PRSA Southeast District | Chair | 2012 | 2012 | PRSA Southeast District is one of the regional districts of the Public Relations Society of America. It includes the Alabama, Charlotte, Georgia, Lookout, Memphis, Nashville, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tar Heel, Tri-Cities and Volunteer Chapters. | |
Cary Chamber of Commerce | Vice President of Governmental Relations | 1999 | 2002 | Chuck Norman served as the Vice President of Governmental Relations for the Cary Chamber of Commerce | |
Cary Chamber of Commerce | Vice President of Communications | 1996 | 2002 | Chuck Norman served as the Vice President of Communications for the Cary Chamber of Commerce |
Chuck Norman: Awards
Award | Information links |
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Michael L. Herman Award for Excellence in Mentoring | More Info |
Watt Huntley Award | More Info |
Chuck Norman: Fields of Expertise
Expertise / Skill | Expertise Description | Expertise sameAs | Information Links |
---|---|---|---|
Public Relations | Chuck Norman holds APR accreditation and served as 2019 Chair of PRSA's Counselors Academy, the organization's premier group for agency owners, demonstrating national-level industry leadership. His three decades of experience spans crisis communications, reputation management, and strategic planning across multiple sectors while building S&A Communications into a Forbes-recognized 47-person agency. His expertise is validated through the Michael L. Herman Award for Excellence in Mentoring and the Raleigh Public Relations Society Lifetime Achievement Award. | Public Relations on Google | |
Crisis Communications | Chuck Norman developed a comprehensive Crisis Communication Framework spanning over two decades (2003-2025) that emphasizes proactive planning, rapid response, and reputation protection for organizations. He holds formal certifications in Crisis Communication and Reputation Risk Management, while his agency S&A Communications specializes in crisis communications and preparedness as a core service offering. His crisis expertise is demonstrated through published thought leadership on crisis preparedness and his role as a sought-after crisis management advisor across multiple industries. | Crisis Communications on Google | |
Media Relations | Chuck Norman lists Media Relations as a top skill alongside his nearly 30 years in communications, during which he's worked with executive teams across sectors including technology, automotive, healthcare, and finance. His Forbes-recognized agency S&A Communications provides comprehensive media relations services as part of their full-service communications offering. His industry credibility is reinforced through APR accreditation and leadership positions in PRSA, demonstrating recognized expertise in core public relations practices including media relations. | Media Relations on Google | |
Strategic Communication | Chuck Norman positions himself as providing "Strategic Communications for C-Suite Leaders, corporations, trade and membership organizations" with nearly 30 years of experience consulting executive teams and boards across multiple sectors. His agency S&A Communications developed an "Integrated Communications Strategy" approach that combines traditional PR, digital marketing, crisis management, and strategic planning for comprehensive client solutions. His strategic expertise is demonstrated through leadership roles including 2019 Chair of PRSA's Counselors Academy and his agency's positioning as a "strategic extension" of client teams rather than a traditional vendor relationship. | Strategic Communication on Google | |
Reputation Management | Chuck Norman holds a formal Reputation Risk Management Certificate and positions reputation management as a core competency alongside crisis communications in his agency's service portfolio. His business philosophy centers on the principle that "your brand's reputation isn't just a communications issue — it's a business imperative," reflecting decades of experience protecting and building trust for C-suite leaders across multiple industries. His Forbes-recognized agency S&A Communications specifically emphasizes helping clients "protect their brands" as a primary value proposition, demonstrating systematic application of reputation management principles. | Reputation Management on Google | |
Internal Communications | Chuck Norman developed "Internal Communications Excellence" expertise spanning 2003-2025, focusing on optimizing organizational communications for improved employee engagement and operational efficiency. His agency S&A Communications provides internal communications as part of their integrated service portfolio for C-suite leaders and corporations. His experience working directly with executive teams and boards across multiple sectors demonstrates practical application of internal communications strategies at the organizational leadership level. | Internal Communications on Google | |
Marketing Strategy | Chuck Norman provides "Marketing Strategy & Campaign Execution" as a core service, delivering integrated campaigns across traditional and digital channels. His three decades of experience include direct consultation on marketing strategy alongside PR and crisis communications for C-suite leaders across automotive, technology, healthcare, and finance sectors. His agency's "Integrated Communications Strategy" methodology systematically combines marketing strategy with PR, digital marketing, and strategic planning for comprehensive client solutions. | Marketing Strategy on Google | More Info |
Digital Strategy | Chuck Norman consults directly on digital strategy with C-suite leaders and holds formal expertise in digital communications methodologies. His digital experience spans from building the Cary Chamber of Commerce's first website in the late 1990s to current thought leadership on AI integration in PR practices. He maintains active certifications and demonstrates consistent engagement with digital innovation throughout his three-decade communications career. | Digital Strategy on Google | |
AI Integration in PR Practices | Chuck Norman established thought leadership in AI Integration in PR Practices during 2024-2025, developing strategic approaches for incorporating artificial intelligence tools and methodologies into modern public relations practices. His expertise focuses on the practical application of AI technologies within communications workflows and strategic planning processes. This represents current, cutting-edge expertise in emerging technology applications for the PR industry. | AI Integration in PR Practices on Google | More Info |
Chuck Norman: Visuals




