Michael D. Pitman, politics reporter for the Journal-News, owned by Cox Media Group Ohio, will be honored as the Salesian Guild’s Distinguished Communicator of the Year at the group’s annual dinner meeting in Cincinnati on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Guest speaker for the event will be popular blogger Deacon Greg Kandra. A permanent deacon of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., he worked for CBS News for a quarter of a century, writing and producing “48 Hours,” “Sunday Morning,” “60 Minutes II,” and “The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” among others.

The Salesian Guild, named for St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of writers, is an annual gathering of Greater Cincinnati Catholics working in various communication fields, including journalism, education, advertising, and public relations. The group, which has no dues, comes together once a year to share liturgy and fellowship.

This year’s event begins with a Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church in downtown Cincinnati. A reception, dinner, and the program will follow at 5 p.m. in the Parish Center.

The evening will also include an update on media law by attorney Michael A. Marrero, one of the sponsors of this year’s Salesian Guild dinner.

The Distinguished Communicator of the Year Award was begun in 1994, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Salesian Guild, to recognize a communications colleague who exhibits professional excellence and faith in action in the workplace.

According to one of Pitman’s nominators, over the six years she has known him, “he has consistently demonstrated his professional integrity. He is an honest reporter who communicates his message in a straightforward and honorable way. His writings are articulate and accurate.”

Pitman began his career 17 years ago as a community and government reporter covering the city of Mason and Deerfield Township. In 2016 he was named Best News Writer (Division IV) by the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors

He is active in St. Lawrence Parish in East Price Hill (Cincinnati), serving on the parish’s Education Commission. Since 2008, he has also coached parish sports teams, and volunteers as the school’s athletic director.

MC for the evening’s program will be Maryanne Zeleznik, news director of 91.7 WVXU and winner of the Salesian Guild’s 2016 Distinguished Communicator of the Year Award.