Throughout my career, I have managed strategic and executive communications, media relations, crisis communications, public policy development, and community relations to earn and sustain public trust, institutional integrity and transparency, and civic engagement that are essential for effective government. I began my career as a community organizer with VISTA working to improve living conditions for residents of poverty neighborhoods, where I discovered the powerful impact that local government has on quality of life, as well as its accessibility for participation and change through effective communications. I have long served in senior management responsible for local government communications for large and small cities and agencies. Now retired as Director of Communications for the City of San Jose, I am open to opportunities to help others with my experience and skills as a counselor and strategist, writer and editor, and media trainer and spokesman for interesting and worthwhile projects and partners.I have served in multiple leadership roles with PRSA Silicon Valley and continue to coordinate the chapter’s professional accreditation program. I am a life member of the California Association of Public Information Officials, and received CAPIO’s Paul B. Clark Award in 2002 in recognition of career contributions to the public-sector communications profession.
Listed skills include Public Relations, Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Strategic Communications, and 46 others.