Kelly Cahalan Email & Phone Number

Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Media Relations Specialist - Primary lead for media engagement for CBP's Office of Trade, the federal organization responsible for the facilitation of legitimate trade, the enforcement of law, and protection of the American economy. Developed relationships with both U.S. based and international immigration and trade reporters. Served as spokesman for international media. Provided media and strategic communications guidance to senior agency and interagency leaders. Developed white papers, talking points, roll-out plans, read-ahead material, and press releases covering multiple events involving a broad span of immigration and trade issues.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Responsible for planning and execution of internal corporate communications program.

Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Led the foreign liaison and diplomatic attaché program for 174 senior military diplomats from 120 countries. Managed programs including attaché accreditation, international protocol, budgeting, attaché tours, counterpart and VIP visits, and international conferences.

Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Planned, managed and led the development of policy, directives and guidance for U.S. Air Force public affairs career field of 5,500 people. Served as executive representative on working groups and panels. Drove coordination and completion of more than 328 executive actions, ensuring USAF senior leadership informed to make policy decisions. Temporarily assigned as Public Affairs director to a joint task force in Philippines, which was tasked with providing advice and training to Filipino counter-terrorism forces.

Stuttgart Area, Germany

Developed, planned, coordinated and executed media strategy for Combatant Command. Served as spokesman to international media. Provided media and strategic communications guidance to senior military and interagency leaders within the organization. Developed white papers, talking points, read-ahead material, and press releases covering multiple events involving U.S. engagement in Africa.

Stuttgart Area, Germany

Developed and executed U.S. engagement strategy and policy. Provided guidance for operational and security cooperation activities in coordination with U.S. Embassies and other agencies. Provided regional advice on engagement policy and political situation to top-level U.S. leaders.

Monterey, Ca

M.A. National Security Studies (Mid-East, South Asia and Sub-Sahanan Africa).

Mountain Home Afb, Idaho

Managed public affairs staff of eight. Established policy and counseled senior leaders and their staffs on communication strategies and efforts for both internal and external publics. Planned and implemented programs to promote recruiting, retention, moral and public understanding of the U.S. Air Force, Air Combat Command and the 366th Fighter Wing mission and activities. Managed all aspects of media and community engagement.

Nellis Afb, Las Vegas, Nevada

Managed the daily operations in the U.S. Air Force's graduate-level weapons and tactics school commandant's office. Single point coordinator for the commandant and two deputies calendars. Supported nine local and five geographically separated squadrons of more than 300 people and 160 staff members.

Nellis Afb, Las Vegas, Nevada

Analyzed issues and built communications strategy for the U.S. Air Force's busiest base. Advised and ensured senior leaders ready to engage local community and media on sensitive issues. Developed communication plans for aircraft mishaps, environmental issues, emerging technology development and other military operations. Liaison to state and local government, civic leader organizations and media in a market of 1.5 million people.

Kunsan Ab, S. Korea

Served as primary assistant to the public affairs chief at a U.S. military installation in the Republic of Korea. Analyzed issues impacting the military mission and international relations. Developed communication programs for engagement with local community and international media. Advised both U.S. and Korean military leadership on communication engagement strategies following several high-profile incidents. Performed editorial review of the local newspaper and wrote articles for publication.

Aa, Modern Standard Arabic

Ma, Area Studies, Middle East

Activities and Societies: Foreign Area Officer Assn; Arabic

Public Affairs Officer Course

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), French, Public Relaions

Activities and Societies: AIESEC, French Club and Russian Club executive board

High School Diploma