I started my career with the federal government in budget and finance in 1987 and transitioned to public and governmental affairs in 1991. Working from the ground up, I am in tune with what matters to the people I serve and as a professional, I have the knowledge, experience, and ability to serve them well.I am a red-carded public information officer at the Type 2 level (PIO2) for all-risk incidents. My PIO2 experience began in 1991 with wildland fire incidents. I co-lead as Type 2 Incident Management Team PIO for two years in 2002-03. As a PIO, I organize and manage information dissemination by developing communication strategies and maximize available staff. I quickly develop media relationships and utilize them as an important tool and service. I coordinate closely with local officials and multi-jurisdictional agencies to provide information to affected communities in an accurate, efficient and timely manner.My work from a technical level on through to my current professional level is commendable and is reflected by a consistent flow of non-monetary and monetary awards and promotions.I embrace and seek new challenges, change, new computer and social media technologies, and unique opportunities that serve to expand my knowledge, skills and abilities that not only make me a better employee but also make whomever I work for a better agency.Specialties: Communication strategies, briefings, news releases, facilitation, media relations, graphic design, Web management, public meeting strategy and coordination, writing/editing/formatting, social media, and a high-level of expertise in several computer graphic and writing software programs.