Denise Pinkney, editor/project coordinator in Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Fargo, was named 2009 North Dakota Communicator of Achievement by the North Dakota Professional Communicators (NDPC). She was honored May 2 at NDPC's annual convention in Minot.

The award is based on professional achievement in communications, involvement in NDPC and the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), and community service. As North Dakota's Communicator of Achievement, Pinkney will compete for the national title awarded by NFPW in September.

Before joining BCBSND, Pinkney served as assistant director of communications at Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative in Wahpeton, N.D., for 13 years and had been a freelance writer and columnist. She is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Pinkney has extensive service with NFPW and NDPC. She is currently co-director of the national high school contest, has coordinated speakers for national conventions and has served in several leadership positions, including state president for two years. Pinkney has also won more than 110 state and national writing awards.

In the community, Pinkney has tutored refugee families, performed in community theatre, planned festivals, mentored students and volunteered at the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center.