Westfourth Communications is a consultancy specializing in public relations, marketing and crisis management. Westfourth serves associations and coalitions, and clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies in the technology, health and wellness, financial services, defense and aerospace sectors.As President, Don supervises all aspects of client portfolio and firm operations including team of 7 professionals; has evolved firm’s business over 15+ years to meet emerging social media and digital marketing trends and opportunities; grew and retained book of business with stable, long-term client engagements; leveraged expertise in health care, defense and aerospace, IT and financial services to achieve growth and establish specialization; implemented campaigns for clients experiencing crisis situations. Other highlights:• Management of corporate clients and other organizations with government-facing businesses and strategic goals, including national industry coalitions with federal policy and public perception challenges.• Prolific writer/content generator across various products and platforms including social media, white papers, print and digital collateral, press materials, executive-level speeches and talking points, branding and messaging.• Supervision and direction of internal graphic design staff responsible for creative content for clients utilizing print, video and digital platforms.• Advisor to major corporate clients during crises triggered by regulatory action, government contract performance issues, M&A activity, and negative public/media/policymaker scrutiny.• Westfourth clients have included: United Healthcare, Optum, Anthem, CGI, HP, Aerospace Industries Association, American Association of Port Authorities, Public Lands Council, Thales North America, L3, Pratt & Whitney, the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, Council for Medicare Integrity, National Association for Proton Therapy, and American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Directed client engagements, teams and tactics as Corporate Practice leader in Washington office of Hill & Knowlton (now Hill + Knowlton Strategies); led and participated in major new business pursuits. Clients included major companies in defense and aerospace, IT and energy sectors. Clients included:• Lockheed Martin – Along with a national PR team, led communications campaign behind Lockheed’s bid to build the Marine One presidential helicopter. Devised messaging and strategy; drove repositioning of contract offering; led rapid response team to destabilize competitors.• HP Public Sector – Led national team on multi-million-dollar engagement to position HP as IT provider of choice for government agencies at federal, state and local levels; managed media relations and account management teams; directed outreach and content generation across HP health care, defense, security and education sectors; served as client relationship/budget manager and liaison to HP’s global agency teams.• Nuclear Energy Institute – Co-managed national coalition in support of investment in nuclear energy; recruited high-profile spokespeople; devised messaging and positioning strategy; conducted media relations and events; responded to misinformation from opposition groups.• Doncasters – Following Dubai Ports World controversy of 2006, handled media relations and messaging during CFIUS approval process for Dubai-based investment group’s purchase of Doncasters, a U.S.-based manufacturer of tank parts for the U.S. military.• Crisis Management (various clients) – Directed resources and staff to manage crisis communications for clients including defense contractors, national media outlets, and manufacturers; managed stakeholder engagement, messaging, spokesmanship (on/off camera), and content including press statements, internal communications, and online copy; conducted media training and provided ongoing/incremental strategic counsel.

As a special assistant to Pentagon spokesperson Victoria Clarke, led the Directorate of Strategic Communications that conducted outreach to media and public audiences following the 9/11 attacks and during major combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.• Directed 12-person office in the DoD Office of Public Affairs responsible for communications planning and strategy, public outreach and tactical coordination of public appearances by the Secretary of Defense.• Supported Pentagon Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs (primary spokesperson) for press appearances, messaging, inter-agency coordination, and strategic alignment across DoD and military service components and leadership offices including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and undersecretary/deputy secretary of defense offices including those for nuclear strategy, special operations, military intelligence, missile defense, and acquisition, technology and logistics.• Served as Pentagon liaison to the White House Office of Global Communications, a rapid-response messaging and inter-agency strategy component created post-9/11.• Led delegations of journalists and analysts for fact-finding missions in Iraq following major combat operations in 2004.• Developed strategic communications planning model adopted as permanent curriculum at the National Defense Information School at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

Served as press spokesperson for members of the U.S. House and Senate. In various media relations roles, represented members of Congress to local and national press during legislative sessions and for re-election campaigns. Highlights include:• Implemented daily press outreach tactics on Capitol Hill including satellite interviews, press conferences, press releases, op-eds, editorial board meetings, town hall meetings and other events on behalf of U.S. representatives and senators from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, Utah and Michigan.

Coordinated statewide public safety campaign targeting school districts in Wisconsin, which featured appearances of former NASCAR drivers as part of a statewide safe driving program.• Conducted media outreach and on-site interviews at local appearances.• Served as liaison with school districts statewide and handled campaign logistics.

Worked as reporter for daily and weekly newspapers in northern Wisconsin. Covered local politics, crime, courts, education, current events, businesses, service organizations and breaking news.• Feature/long-form work included coverage of city bond issues, elected official travel expenses and crime associated with regional medical centers.