Professional Journey

Strategic communications leader with experience supporting federal agencies, military commands and healthcare organizations across the United States, Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Known for bringing clarity to complex issues, advising senior leaders and developing communications that connect organizations with the people they serve. Combines strategic thinking, storytelling and relationship building to strengthen reputation, build trust and help organizations communicate effectively when it matters most.

Bureau of Land Management

‍ ‍Eastern States State Office

Led communications strategy for a 31-state region, crafting clear, accessible messaging that strengthens public understanding and confidence.
Advised district, program, and executive leadership on crisis communication, sensitive issues and stakeholder relations; developed messaging to maintain trust and manage reputation during high-visibility events.
Wrote and edited consumer-friendly content including news releases, feature stories, talking points, and executive communications.
Maintained strong relationships with external partners, local officials and regional media outlets to support organizational transparency and community engagement.
Developed communication materials for internal audiences, supporting staff engagement and organizational alignment.
New Mexico State Office
Directed a statewide external communications program with responsibilities comparable to a hospital system’s communications and outreach functions, including media relations, stakeholder engagement, internal communications and digital presence.
Served as spokesperson, communicating complex and sensitive issues in a clear, compassionate and accessible way.
Advised executives on how public messages - including policy, safety, or operational changes - would impact community trust and stakeholder relationships.
Developed crisis communication plans and responses for high-visibility situations; ensured consistent messaging across departments and with partner agencies.
Supervised a communications team, setting priorities, coaching staff, and ensuring high-quality delivery aligned with leadership goals.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Served as Chief of Public Affairs with delegated authority to independently plan, administer and oversee the USACE Honolulu District Public Affairs Program across a vast Indo-Pacific area of responsibility, including the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Kwajalein Atoll, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.
Directed all internal and external communications, serving as the District’s senior technical expert for print, digital, broadcast, and audiovisual media supporting U.S. Army Hawaii, USACE Pacific Ocean Division and regional stakeholders.
Led development, review, and dissemination of high-visibility and often controversial communications, including news stories, features, social media, websites, and publications, ensuring accuracy, policy compliance and public understanding.
Advised the District Commander and Corporate Board on command information trends, community concerns, and emerging issues, participating in town halls, community meetings and planning sessions across multiple jurisdictions.
Served as primary media spokesperson and liaison, managing press conferences, project site visits, editorial board meetings, and sustained relationships with local, state, territorial and national media.
Built and maintained strategic relationships with elected officials and government leaders at the local, state, territorial, and federal levels, including the Hawaii Congressional Delegation.
Communicated complex mission priorities to hard-to-reach and culturally diverse audiences, including native communities, industry partners and small businesses, ensuring clarity and trust.
Developed key messages, marketing materials, and long-range communication plans; established annual outreach schedules; and trained leaders and staff on media engagement and risk communication.
Proactively analyzed media environments, identified potential issues and advised leadership on mitigation strategies to strengthen public confidence and mission support.

National Park Service

Served as Director of Communications to the SES-level Commissioner, leading strategic public affairs, communications and marketing for 12 National Park Service sites in the New York Harbor region.
Acted as principal advisor to the Commissioner and Superintendents on media relations, crisis communications, legislative affairs and stakeholder engagement, including FOIA oversight for all 12 sites.
Built and sustained relationships with local, state, and national elected officials, serving as Legislative Liaison for New York and New Jersey delegations.
Led national and international partnerships to promote park visibility and innovation, including collaboration with a French technology firm on augmented reality and coordination with DOI, NPS Headquarters, the National Park Foundation and the Office of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations for a United Nations General Assembly exhibit.
Served as the lead communications coordinator during emergencies and controversial incidents, directing Incident Management Teams and identifying appropriate spokespersons for complex, high-profile issues.
Managed local, national, and international media relations, proactively generating coverage and spotlighting lesser-known park sites through strategic events and campaigns.
Represented the Department of the Interior on the Hurricane Sandy Regional Infrastructure Resilience Coordination Group, coordinating recovery communications with FEMA, USACE, DHS, EPA, HUD and state and local partners.
Coordinated communications strategy across multiple park units and partner organizations, including nonprofit foundations and conservation groups, ensuring consistent messaging and effective resource sharing.

Defense Finance and Accounting Service

Advised senior DFAS SES-level leaders on internal communications policy and risk, assessing stakeholder and employee reactions to proposed agency actions.
Planned and led national, agency-wide communications campaigns, translating complex financial and operational information for internal and external audiences with national-level impact.
Served as principal liaison with national news media, ensuring accurate, timely public information supporting DFAS mission, programs and services.
Directed and provided oversight of the FOIA and Privacy Act Program, ensuring legal compliance, protection of sensitive information and resolution of complex or controversial cases.
Provided policy guidance to the Corporate Communications Director and FOIA field offices, addressing issues affecting agency mission, credibility and public trust.
Managed Directorate operations, including budget planning and execution, workforce development for the GS-1035 career field and enterprise initiatives.
Exercised full supervisory authority over 21 staff, leading long-range planning, performance management, training decisions and resolution of employee grievances.
Drove process improvements to eliminate bottlenecks, strengthen team performance and improve operational efficiency.

U.S. Army Africa

Served as the command information advisor for U.S. Army Africa, leading global communications operations across social media, print, radio, and television in coordination with African embassies, U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and joint military partners worldwide.
Supervised and mentored six civilian and military personnel, directing rapid-response public affairs, broadcast operations, and command information campaigns supporting senior leaders.
Planned, prioritized, and managed office operations, including budget, staffing, resource allocation and production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of high-visibility products.
Developed and executed strategic communication plans and reviewed higher-headquarters directives, implementing policy and procedural changes affecting broadcast and digital operations.
Served as executive producer for television and multimedia products, overseeing concept development, production design, quality control and use of advanced digital effects.
Advised senior U.S., African, and European military and civilian leaders on messaging, media engagement and sensitive information release.
Researched, wrote, edited, and approved press releases, feature stories, broadcast scripts, social media content and publications for domestic and international audiences, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and maximum reach.

U.S. Army Medical Readiness Command

‍ ‍Winn Army Community Hospital

Served as the Chief of Communications and principal communications advisor to the Commander, routinely engaging with General Officers and senior local, state and national officials.
Developed and led the organization’s Crisis Communication Plan, ensuring leaders were trained and prepared to communicate effectively during emergencies and high-risk situations.
Planned, executed, and continuously refined the Public Affairs and Community Relations programs, educating beneficiaries across the 3rd Infantry Division and surrounding communities through digital platforms and public outreach.
Acted as primary liaison with local, state, and national print and broadcast media, proactively defending and explaining U.S. Army Medical Readiness Command’s nationwide mission, programs and policies.
Established and managed a Speakers Bureau, coordinating engagements with educational, civic and professional organizations to strengthen public understanding and trust.
Oversaw and approved all digital and print content, including websites, social media, publications and multimedia products, ensuring policy compliance and quality control.
Reviewed medical staff publications and presentations for public release, ensuring adherence to USAMRC policy.
Developed Army-wide and command-level talking points and public affairs guidance, including messaging on new or potentially controversial medical topics.
Pacific Regional Medical Command
Served as the Director of Communications and principal advisor to command leadership on U.S. Army Medical Readiness Command and Pacific Region medical issues, providing strategic guidance for internal and external communications.
Acted as primary liaison with Congress, senior government officials and internal military leadership, advising on emerging issues and coordinating future engagement.
Led national, regional and international media relations, organizing interviews and proactively pitching stories that generated positive global coverage in support of command priorities.
Developed and executed enterprise-wide strategic communications campaigns, integrating digital, print, broadcast and emerging platforms to increase awareness of PRMC and USAMRC services across the Pacific Basin.
Directed a centralized Public Affairs program for the Defense Health Agency in the Pacific Region, overseeing editorial control, content production, and policy compliance across web, social media and publications.
Supervised communications staff responsible for news releases, feature stories, multimedia products, outreach materials and beneficiary education tools, ensuring accuracy and mission alignment.
Managed the command’s Speakers Bureau and reviewed medical staff publications and presentations to ensure compliance with USAMRC, DHS, and operational security requirements.
Built and maintained partnerships with healthcare, veterans and community organizations, including VA medical centers and regional healthcare associations, using insights to refine strategic communications and public engagement.

U.S. Army Europe

Led strategic command information supporting the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command and its military communities throughout Europe.
Advised senior military leaders on communications strategy, media engagement, public messaging and sensitive information release.
Developed executive communications, speeches, news and feature content, visual communications and multimedia products for domestic and international audiences.
Built relationships with international print, broadcast and radio media across Europe, strengthening awareness of the command's mission and multinational partnerships.
Directed photography and video support while coordinating communications programs and high-visibility initiatives for senior leadership.

National Recognition

Thomas Jefferson Awards | Keith L. Ware Awards | Herbert A. Kassner Awards
Recipient of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' highest honors for excellence in communications, public affairs and visual information.

Skills

Core Expertise

Creative & Digital Tools

AI & Emerging Technology

For details, go to Skills in Practice.