Public Affairs and Outreach programs leader for the Veteran's Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Office of Engagement and Memorial Innovation (OEMI). Responsible for stimulating a nationwide awareness of the National Cemetery Burial, State Cemetery Grants and Memorials Programs, and developing, coordinating, implementing, and managing an Outreach Program. Personal advisor to the Executive Director, Engagement and Memorial Innovations and Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Plan, develop, coordinate, and direct NCA's public information program to assure that the general public and affected groups of individuals are fully informed of NCA's benefits, services and programs. Work with and through organized groups to inform through various communication channels of the veteran's legal entitlement to the death benefits and services and other consumer related concerns which fall within NCA's responsibilities. These groups represent a broad segment of the general public, e.g., national, state and local veterans service organizations, military services, National Funeral Directors Association, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Monument Dealers Associations. Forecast reaction to NCA efforts and designs information programs to meet specific needs and operational conditions. Based on knowledge of NCA programs and the reaction of the public, determine appropriate deviations from general information policy in order to prevent serious adverse reaction or misunderstanding. Defend, both orally and through news releases for the mass media, NCA's use of land for cemetery purposes with such diverse interest groups as environmentalists, conservationists, and agriculturists. Write technical articles and other material for national trade publications and specialized veteran publications. Visit NCA field stations when research is required to present a detailed picture. Advise staff and freelance writers of suitable material for publications.

As the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) at Dover AFB DE, I support our USAF director and joint service staff. Develop strategic messaging to accomplish communication objectives. Assess potential controversial issues having national and/or international impact. Develop communication strategies to maintain public support through effective means, to include press releases, press conferences, speeches, articles, visual information and other products. Independently research, gather, review and complete Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses to requests. Develop budgets, write Statements of Work, Memorandums of Understanding and direct, coordinate and supervise activities of supporting contractors. Responsible for Agency website updates and Agency response to web-based requests for information. Serve as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer for processing and documenting all requests. AFMES is aligned under the Defense Health Agency (DHA) HQ'd in Falls Church, VA.

Provide program leadership for DSCA's brand identity, digital communications platforms, and overall strategic messaging to various internal and external stakeholders. Collaborate with a wide variety of external stakeholders and influencers throughout the Security Cooperation (SC) enterprise including foreign partners, U.S. defense industry, U.S. academia, U.S. think tanks, and Congress and other non-governmental organizations. Subject matter expert (SME) in developing, planning, implementing, and evaluating SC strategic communications activities including presentations, speeches, and digital and print media and programs, international trade shows, conferences/workshops using various communication mechanisms and forums in support of SC plans and activities executed by DSCA. Subject Matter Expert in formulating plans and policy for SC strategic communications for SES III Agency Director. Director's speech writer and communication team lead overseeing media relations, external presentations and workforce communication functions.

Chief of Communication team for strategic leader USAF (4 star) General Mark Kelly, Commander of Air Combat Command, the U.S. Air Force’s largest (of 10) major commands with 35 assigned wings, 1,336 subordinate organizational units at 242 global locations with 156,739 officers, enlisted Airmen, Department of the Air Force civilians and Reserve component members. COMACC's speechwriter and social media coordinator and content manager (COMACC's official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram handles) in hand-selected, fast-paced commander's support action team.ACC organizes, trains and equips USAF Airmen who fight in and from multiple domains to control air, space, and cyberspace. As the lead major command for fighter operations, command and control (C2), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), personnel recovery, persistent attack and reconnaissance, electronic warfare (EW), and cyber operations, ACC is responsible for providing combat air, space, and cyber power and the combat support that assures mission success to America's warfighting commands.

Communication Manager for Sikorsky’s Commercial Systems & Services (CSS) and Global Military Systems & Services (GMSS), overseeing Sikorsky’s commercial S-76, S-92 and global military S-70i (UH-60 Blackhawk Direct Commercial Sale vs. Foreign Military Sale) and Firehawk systems and services strategic and crisis communication for internal and external audiences. Supported two line of business vice presidents with communication counsel, two geographically-separated operating locations and lead three direct report communications representatives. Developed and implemented strategic communication plans to position Sikorsky’s products and customer service support, including global media relations, executive communication, customer helicopter mishap crisis communication, internal employee communication, social and digital media, event and annual Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli Expo trade show communication event planning, support and execution. Developed and executed multi-faceted communication campaigns, strategies and tactics to support business objectives in domestic and international markets. Provided strategic counsel to the Vice President of Commercial Systems and Services and commercial business development, program management, support and sustainment executive leaders and leadership oversight for Global Military Systems & Services strategic communication. Drove the development and implementation of communication initiatives that promoted Sikorsky’s commercial and international aircraft, products, support, services and long term business growth.

Planned, coordinated and executed integrated international public, news media and advertising/marketing communication activities for Lockheed Martin’s global F-35 Lightning II Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs for Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Germany and Singapore and program partner, Italy. Positively shaped public perception and awareness through dynamic, competitive media environments in business capture campaign communication for the Republic of Korea and Singapore. Fully prepared F-35 business development, program management, executive leaders and test pilots for successful media engagements with desired messaging, delivery techniques and risk communication responses. Planned and executed multiple foreign media tours to see F-35 operations.Planned and executed communication requirements for the 'Roll Out' debut ceremonies for Israel’s first F-35A, the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF)’s first F-35A, Italy's first F-35A and again later for first F-35B assembled at the Cameri Final Assembly Check Out (FACO) facility, Japan’s first F-35A assembled at the Nagoya FACO, first Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-35A and first JASDF F-35A aircraft arrival at Misawa AB, Japan.

U.S. Government Department of Defense Civil Service (GS-14 Step 8) Strategic Engagement and workforce communication managerPlanned, coordinated, synchronized, and executed Strategic Engagement Program (SEP) public affairs outreach for DoD executive agency responsible for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) mission with diverse globally dispersed workforce, news media, contractors and industry, academia, and public audiences. Supported Director’s priorities and the goals and objectives of DTRA strategic plan, assessed impact/effectiveness supporting Senior Executive Service (SES) director & General Officer leadershipMonitored, assessed the state of DTRA/U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC-WMD) relationships, evaluating trends in media coverage, public opinion, and overall interest, public discussion of, and media coverage of agency/global team’s performance. Developed agency social media presence, established thought leadership editorialsPrepared timely, effective messaging for engagement event venues. Prepared news releases, fact sheets, and on-line and social media communication, coordinated leadership messages, synchronized with U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) and Department of Defense public affairs and non-governmental event planners and participants. Deployed as crisis management training evaluator to U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) post in Grafenwoehr, Germany, to lead public affairs training and evaluation for major nuclear weapons mishap consequence management exercise

In last active duty military Joint assignment, stood up DMA HQ and led 216 joint duty military, civil service and contractor personnel, responsible for developing and producing four U.S. military service branch-specific and Department of Defense-wide content for video, radio, print, web,social and multi-media products. Enabled public communications for the offices of the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commands and global U.S. joint military services, communicating top priorities, policies, roles, missions, operations and responsibilities for internal and global audiences. Managed $27M (FY12) budget and provided leadership and managerial oversight of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps command information production directorates, enabling print content and electronic programming for the DoD’s global American Forces Network (AFN), The Pentagon Channel, DoD web (www.defense.gov) and DoD and service-specific internet presence (450+ hosted websites), in addition to myriad generated print and electronic media products. Led the American Forces Press Service (AFPS), the Production Support directorate and the Joint (Army & Air Force) Hometown News Service (JHNS) teams and service programs.

Forward deployed on 365 day senior military leadership assignment in the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) leading staff of 21 Public Affairs, two Combat Camera Electronic News Gathering teams and 12 Band professionals supporting three-star General Officer Combined/Joint Force Air Component Commander providing theater and strategic communications activities and public affairs operations, enabling military air and space operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and across the 21 nation Middle East region. Integrated strategic communications activities. Oversaw public affairs inputs into strategic communications and planning and the air component strategy, air operations directive and Information Operations plans throughout the theater. Interfaced with region's U.S. Embassy PAOs and political staffs to ensure CFACC information objectives were coordinated with regional Dept. of State objectives.

Led engaged staff directorate of 42 public affairs Airmen and civilians and two 45-member regional military bands for the largest U.S. Air Force Major Command (MAJCOM) of 170K people across 50 states and 17 countries, providing 24/7/365 public communication support of combat air power to global regional war-fighting commanders, executing United States military strategy and policy and advising command assigned Wing, Center and Numbered Air Force commanders and their staffs on crisis communications and myriad public affairs issues.Crafted, guided effective public affairs strategies for two successive four-star General commanders: F-15C/D Eagle safety return to flight following fleet-wide safety stand-down, the Secretary of Defense’s F-22A Raptor program cancellation and production closure, migration of 8th Air Force to Air Force Global Strike Command, F-35A site activation basing and noise mitigation concerns at Eglin AFB, Fla., multiple aircraft Class A mishap Accident Investigation Board finding presentation and media releases, MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Combat Air Patrol orbit growth in CENTCOM AOR, MC-12 Liberty ISR aircraft acquisition, Initial Operational Capability (IOC), basing issuesPlanned, developed, executed, evaluated highly effective ACC Commander’s Group advocacy program with 34 assigned installation wing commanders across the U.S. and community/civic/business/opinion leaders, building advocacy for Airmen/family members, mission support

Led joint strategic public affairs staff at U.S. Pacific Command sub-unified three-star command, advised theater senior U.S. military General Officer on bi-lateral policy and U.S.-Japan Self Defense Force, Government of Japan partnership strategy ensuring mutual security cooperationEnabled, maintained daily engagement, dialogue between USFJ’s U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force component leadership, U.S. State Dept. Mission Team: U.S. Ambassador Tom Schieffer, Political Advisor, Public Diplomacy leaders ensuring consistent U.S. Government policy, strategic communication on Pacific Rim security strategy, U.S. forces future basing, mitigating U.S. service member crime rate, partnership exercises, Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) dialogue and force structure realignment with future basing, including MCAS Futema relocationOversaw basing of CVN-73 (USS George Washington), the first nuclear U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in Yokuska, Japan, through U.S. Navy Japan robust public awareness and community concern outreach efforts, USFJ-Embassy leadership engagement strategy with partner nation leaders

Led military and civil service staff of 12 at the center of military space acquisition excellence, building trust, restoring dialogue between industry, space defense news media and Center, Pentagon, Air Force officials on space acquisition portfolio, ‘at risk’ developmental programsChampioned Air Force/Industry ‘back to basics’ reformed acquisition strategy for Global Positioning System constellation, MILSATCOM, Space Superiority, Space Lift and East and West Coast launch facilities and Ranges, Space-Based Infra-Red Systems (SBIRS) missile defense, Weather systems, Satellite Command & Control (C2) Network w/strategic messaging and defense trade news media reporter engagementsLed critical workforce communications campaign with relocation of legacy Center installation to nearby state-of-the-art campus facility, addressing unique land-swap/real estate divestiture and mitigating possible Congressional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action, military construction budget shortfall concern with commuter work force resulting from Congressional cuts to construction funding allocation

Deputy to 0-6 director, advisor to 0-10 commander; developed, executed largest overseas command communication programs. building trust, support with traditional, new/emerging NATO partner nations, domestic and European elected officials, publics enabling environmental and noise abatement issues, basing alignment cooperation and major facility construction delays following contract breach and work stoppagePlanned and coordinated major international event, deployed to lead joint service staff of eight in Normandy, France, for U.S. European Command’s 60th Anniversary of the 6 June World War II D-Day landings; led on-site news media Joint Information Bureau (JIB) at Utah Beach, executing commemorative event with multi-national D-Day combat veterans, 13 heads of state attending, including President George W. BushDeployed on AEF rotation to U.S. Embassy-Baghdad, Iraq, advising U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, providing State Department senior staffs and Multi-National Force-Iraq commander Gen. George Casey strategic communication/public affairs counsel, from Fallujah II USMC combat operations offensive, violence peaks to first freely held Iraqi elections. Public Affairs Officer for Army Corps of Engineers-Gulf Region Division (0-8) commander, handling Congressional and growing media scrutiny on cost and security-driven delays with rebuilding infrastructure, contractsDeployed to Riga, Latvia, during NATO Baltic States Summit, as the White House and U.S. State Department strategic communications liaison and USAFE senior spokesman supporting 4-star deployed Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) to lead communication response for potential rogue aircraft shoot-down contingency by NATO air component forces providing airspace Combat Air Patrol (CAP). Developed myriad contingency plans and provided air defense capability with NATO air superiority fighters 24/7 for duration to counter roque aircraft attack threatening attending heads of state, executed w/o incident

Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)-sponsored Education With Industry (EWI) fellowship w/leading Global Public Relations firm providing crisis communications counsel and training to retained business clients

Last (of six in US Air Forces in Europe) BGM-109 Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) Wing activated with NATO's controversial (w/widespread peace activist protests across Europe and in the US in the 1980s) "Dual Track" decision (to field GLCM and US Army Pershing II tactical nuclear missile systems in Central Europe while on parallel track, pursuing treaty talks with the Kremlin) to counter the Soviet Union SS-4 and SS-20 mobile missile threat. 486 TMW was the first USAFE GLCM wing inactivated following the Dec 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with the then-USSR. Pivotal deployment and subsequent development that shortly after, brought the end of the Cold War and instituted an inspection agency and regime to ensure treaty compliance by both Cold War adversaries.