Prior to joining the faculty in August 1991, he served in several public information positions within the administration of North Carolina Governor Jim Martin. That included four years as the chief spokesman for the state's prison, probation and parole systems. He was also a broadcast journalist in Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, New York and North Carolina and is a recipient of numerous reporting honors, including the prestigious Peabody Award. In addition to teaching responsibilities, he serves as a private public relations consultant. He has made four trips to St. Petersburg, Russia, and one trip to Ashbagat, Turkmenistan, at the invitation of the United States Department of State for the purposes of research and teaching. At the University of Kansas, he served as chair of the Strategic Communication Track 2001-03 and as Associate Dean (2004-09). He taught one semester (Spring 2004) at the Consortium International University in Paderno del Grappa, Italy.A sixth edition of a textbook he co-authored with Associate Professor Chuck Marsh, "Public Relations: A Values-Driven Approach," was published in 2016 by Allyn & Bacon of Boston. "Media Guide for Attorneys," a book he co-authored in 1996, received the American Bar Association’s Partnership Award. He is the co-author of "Strategic Writing: Multimedia Writing for Public Relations, Advertising, Sales and Marketing, and Business Communication" and "Adventures in Public Relations: Case Studies and Critical Thinking."His first solo-authored book, "Bridging the Chesapeake - A 'Fool Idea' that Unified Maryland," was published in December 2013 by Old Line Publishing of Hampstead, Maryland. His first contemporary historical fiction book, “Thirteen Minutes: Death of an American High School” was published by Page Publishing in October 2022. His latest novel, "In the Moment: The Journey of the Class of '70," is scheduled for a late 2024 release.Specialties: His areas of special research interest are crisis communications and political communication.