Rick Krochka Named 2025 Silver Medal Recipient
Honored for his outstanding contribution to the advertising field
AAF-Akron is proud to announce that Rick Krochka is the recipient of the 2025 Silver Medal. This lifetime achievement award celebrates exceptional creative leadership, community impact, and service to the profession.
An AAF-Akron special selection committee chose Krochka during a closed session vote in early Sept. He will be presented the Silver Medal at the AAF-Akron Annual Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Knight Stage.
Krochka is the founder of TRIAD Communications, a leading Northeast Ohio advertising and marketing firm known for its award-winning creative work and deep community commitment. There he has spent over three decades helping local businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies bring their messages to life through innovative design and communications. Under his leadership, TRIAD’s Design4Good program has donated nearly $900,000 in pro-bono services to area nonprofits since its inception.
Krochka began his advertising career 40 years ago as a graphic designer for Stalker Advertising and Public Relations. He worked at both Kelly Communications (Art Director) and Taylor-Hawkins Advertising (VP) before starting TRIAD with two partners in February of 1994.
Krochka is a graduate of Leadership Akron Signature Class 27, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Leadership Akron, Scouting America (Great Trail Council), Historic Glendale Cemetery; and is Chair of the Cuyahoga Falls Public Art Board. He is a founding (and Emeritus) advisory member of the Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation, and has held leadership roles with more than a dozen regional organizations, including the United Way of Summit County, Friends of 91.3 The Summit, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens (Chair), The Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership (Chair), Akron Area YMCA, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Art Museum, Weathervane Community Playhouse, Boys & Girls Club of Western Reserve, Tuesday Musical Association, The Sugar Plum Tour, and First Night Akron.
Krochka resides in Bath Township with his husband, Steve Schmidt and 9-year old Standard Schnauzer, Beck.
For more information and to register for the event, click here.
About the Silver Medal Award
The AAF Silver Medal Award Program was established in 1959 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advertising as well as have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence, and contributions to the community. Honorees have made a meaningful impact on many colleagues, clients and non-profit organizations throughout their careers. It is the highest level of recognition given by local AAF chapters. For a list of past AAF-Akron recipients, visit aafakron.com.
