Jason Fischer Email & Phone Number

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

This position is responsible for the development and management of a four-person Communications Section focused on internal and external communications projects for 13 work units that manage and support seven care and treatment facilities, community mental health and substance use services, community forensic treatment services, and the protection of client rights for individuals receiving services for developmental disability, mental health, and substance use. Additionally, this position serves on the division leadership team, providing communications counsel to staff at all levels of the organization.SYSTEMS: Alchemer, Canva, Drupal, Google Analytics, Microsoft 365, SiteImprove, Teams, ZoomIMPACT: Created a training program to help newly hired staff understand their role and work. Created an automated workflow procedure to assign incoming work to team members. Helped launch a $1 million public awareness campaign for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Organized the first-ever State Employment Career Fair for state positions in the Chippewa Falls area. Supported the launch of a refreshed DHS website. Organized three large public events -- Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit, Harm Reduction Conference, and Substance Use Prevention Conference. Supported the launch of a statewide peer-run warmline, UpliftWI. AWARDS/HONORS: Nominee for National Association of Government Communicators Communicator of the Year, 2024; Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards - printed publication (2023), educational/informational video (2024), infographic (2024)

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

- Developed and implemented comprehensive communications program for DCTS, including oversight of outreach and promotional activities and evaluation of works produced by staff to ensure compliance with DHS style and standards- Advised DCTS Administrator and DHS Office of the Secretary on potential controversies, sensitive issues, problems, or negative impacts and recommend communication strategies that are responsive to these issues- Prepared press releases and written responses for the media- Developed talking points and related background and briefing information for DCTS management team and DHS executive staff- Managed DCTS content on DHS internet and intranet for clarity, appropriateness, and completenessSYSTEMS: Canva; Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, SharePoint, Teams; SurveyGizmo; GovDelivery; Drupal; ZoomIMPACT: Managed crisis communications for the division during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the development of two statewide campaigns -- Resilient Wisconsin and Small Talks. Managed psychiatrist recruitment efforts at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting. Revised the division's annual performance report to meet audience expectations. Managed rebrand of the division following a DHS reorganization. Helped launch state's first peer-run respites for people with mental health and substance use concerns. Raised the profile statewide of two national observances - April Alcohol Awareness Month and May Mental Health Month through web content, press, and social media coverage. Produced "Voices of Recovery" video series for September Recovery Month, which generated significant traffic on the DHS YouTube channel. Managed development of a new DCTS intranet to improve internal communication across eight work sites in the state.AWARDS/HONORS: Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award - photography (2021), video production (2022), coloring sheet publication (2022).

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

- Analyzed proposed legislation on election administration and implemented enacted legislation- Conducted training sessions for local election officials on how to manage elections- Produced communications, including technical manuals, reports, memos, press releases, and social media- Hosted instructional videos on election administration topics- Reviewed, edited, and designed forms for ballot layouts, election results, and nomination papers for elected office for readability/usability, accuracy, and completeness- Applied stakeholder service skills in handling/responding to telephone, email, and in-person inquiries from voters, municipal clerks, and legislators regarding elections and voting in Wisconsin- Planned, developed, and documented public testing and pilot use of new voting system technologies- Audited the performance of electronic voting systems- Created election contests in the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), a critical election preparedness task.SYSTEMS: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, CRM; GoTo Webinar.IMPACT: Key player in the analysis and implementation of 18 new laws. Partnered with researchers at Clemson University to plan and execute first Election Day polling place pilot of Prime III voting system. Served as co-leader of the G.A.B.'s 16-member 2012 Fall Election Cycle Strategic Planning Team, which identified and completed more than 60 projects to address common errors and issues in election administration to ensure a successful and problem-free Partisan Primary and General Election.

Wisconsin Radio Network / Madison, Wi

- Produced Saturday morning news and sports updates delivered to more than 60 affiliate radio stations statewide - Troubleshooted issues with the distribution system technology, as needed, to ensure affiliates received the product timely- Gathered actualities from newsmakers for audio news wire service SYSTEMS: WireReady, PCapture, Adobe Audition, broadcast engineering consolesIMPACT: Regularly tapped to fill-in for weekday morning drive newscasts. Three-time regional judge for Edward R. Murrow Awards

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

- Applied analytical skills reviewing data to detect benefits erroneously paid to claimants- Performed fact-finding investigations in accordance with law and policy to determine the intent of claimants suspected of committing fraud- Documented findings in a clear, concise, consistent way to inform all parties of determination- Communicated complex information to diverse audiences by phone, email, and letter- Developed training materials on the policies and procedures regulating the work - Trained new staff members how to do the workSYSTEMS: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint; document validation softwareIMPACT: Promoted from document review technician to case investigator after three months. Team lead of project to eliminate a backlog of work. Trained and managed 11 contract staff to complete the work on-time and under budget. Lead quality control auditor of work produced by new staff. Developed metrics to track performance of individual staff members.

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Hosted more than two dozen programs focused on Wisconsin businesses and attractions. Scheduled guest(s) and location(s) to film. Researched subject(s). Identified and produced additional visual elements for the programs. IMPACT: One of four regularly featured program hosts/producers.

Wiba-Am 1310, Wiba.Com / Madison, Wi

- Managed local government/schools coverage for five-person news department, which provided content to six local radio stations, a partner radio station in Milwaukee, a statewide radio news network, and a local TV station through a news sharing agreement- Built relationships with newsmakers, primarily members of the Madison City Council, Madison School Board, and Dane County Board, which provided exclusive access to noteworthy discussions and decisions- Produced clear and concise copy for newscasts that aired every 30 minutes - Anchored afternoon, evening, and overnight newscasts - Managed online content, including articles, blogs, special pages, photo galleries, audio, and video - Partnered with online marketing specialists to develop and implement ideas designed to boost wiba.com’s reach and revenueSYSTEMS: NextGen, NewsBuilder, Adobe Audition, flash recorders, broadcast engineering consoles, online content management system, Associated Press wire serviceIMPACT: Generated stories that routinely topped the day's newscasts and set the news agenda for the community. Part of a three-person team responsible for a significant redesign of WIBA.com.AWARDS/HONORS: Boosted ratings, top radio station in two consecutive ratings periods. Best live news/spot news reporting from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for coverage of devastating floods in 2008. Best spot news reporting from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for coverage of massive, deadly traffic pileup on the interstate near Madison. Best investigative reporting from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for a series of reports on the operations of the Dane County 911 Center.

Wisn-Am 1130, Woky-Am 920 / Milwaukee, Wi

- Produced and anchored WISN morning, dayside, afternoon, evening, overnight, and weekend newscasts- Produced and anchored the twice an hour morning newscasts on WOKY for one year- Served as lead dayside news producer for WISN and anchored midday and afternoon newscasts on WOKY for two years - Wrote and reviewed local news content posted online, including articles, audio, and photos.SYSTEMS: Prophet, NewsBuilder/RCS, Adobe Audition, mini-disc recorders, flash recorders, online content management systems, Associated Press wire service, FTP sitesIMPACT: Promoted from news writer to news anchor after three months. Managed dayfile. Increased the quality and quantity of local news content posted online. Lead severe weather coverage anchor.AWARDS/HONORS: Best investigative report from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, Milwaukee Press Club, and Associated Press for "Failing the Fire Test," a series on area K-12 schools in violation of state fire code. Best continuing coverage from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for comprehensive coverage of the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson. Best use of audio from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and Associated Press for a feature on the final Great Circus Parade/Train. Best hard news/spot news coverage for initial reports and anchoring on the conclusion of a weeks long search for two missing boys who were found dead on the same day a group of police officers were found not guilty of beating man at a house party. Best special program/documentary from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for shows featuring candidates and issues in the fall 2004 and 2006 elections.

Wbkv-Am 1470, Wbwi-Fm 92.5 / West Bend, Wi

-Hosted the WBKV Saturday Morning Show, including news, weather, and sports updates as well as segments on local events and happenings -Hosted the WBWI Pickin' Parlor, a weekly two-hour show focused on bluegrass music-Hosted WBWI More Music Weekends, three to five hour blocks of contemporary country music-Produced and served as fill-in commentator for high school sports on WBKV-Produced remote broadcasts of local programming on WBKV and WBWI-Interacted with listeners and advertisers as representative of the radio stations at fairs, festivals, and other community events. -Implemented on-air and off-air promotions according to program logs and contest rules. -Worked with news director and creative services director to write clean, crisp, snappy copy for newscasts and commercials. SYSTEMS: AudioVault, Cool Edit/Adobe Audition, Metro Networks newswire and newsroom software, broadcast engineering consoles, Marti remote broadcast system, cart machine, reel-to-reel recording and playback equipment, satellite receiversIMPACT: Promoted from studio engineer to program host/producer after four months. Lead substitute weekday morning show host for WBKV and WBWI. Lead substitute news reporter/anchor for WBKV and WBWI.

Wrpn-Am 1600 / Ripon, Wi

- Generated hundreds of dollars in revenue each week as host of "The Shopping Spree," an auction program for certificates for goods and services at local businesses- Produced public service announcements and commercials - Hosted weekend programming, including news and weather updates, primarily in the fall and spring- Served as first-call substitute for hosts of weekday morning and evening news and information blocks of programming

Summer 1999- Wrote and edited weekly employee newsletter, "Take Two," including articles on new policies, procedures, services, personnel, and special events- Reviewed copy for quarterly community newsletter, "Healthy Living"- Prepared and distributed press releases and public service announcements regarding health education opportunities for the public, including classes on heart health, diabetes care and prevention, etc.- Developed, coordinated, and staged the hospital's presence at the five-day Washington County Fair, including a booth staffed by health experts and brochures on services- Staffed the grand opening of the hospital's cancer care center, including a press conference and public toursSummer 2000- Wrote and edited weekly employee newsletter, "Take Two," including articles on new policies, procedures, services, personnel, and special events- Reviewed copy for quarterly community newsletter, "Healthy Living"- Prepared and distributed press releases and public service announcements regarding health education opportunities for the public, including classes on heart health, diabetes care and prevention, etc.- Developed, coordinated, and staged the hospital's presence at the five-day Washington County Fair, including a booth staffed by health experts and brochures on services- Managed project to overhaul the public and patient communications of the maternity ward to create a consistent brand image and voice

Education record

Activities and Societies: WRPN-FM, College Days newspaper, forensics

Education record