Laurel Devine Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Serves as a Supervisory Communications and Strategic Outreach Specialist. Provides expert knowledge and technical proficiency in the performance of strategic outreach development, communications, public education and national engagement strategy.Serves as the information, outreach, and public affairs contact with employers, veterans' service and military organizations, unions, and the print and broadcast media for all matters relating to the programs and activities carried out by VETS.Ensures that VETS is actively involved in communicating with stakeholders: Veterans, Transitioning Service Members (TSMs), Congressional Staff, Veteran Service Organizations. Department of Defense (DOD), Transition to Veterans Program Office (TYPO), Veterans Affairs (VA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Education (DOE), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and those organizations serving veterans as it relates to creating opportunities for meaningful employment and promoting veterans’ employment.Identifies trends, new directions and other information that may help the Agency to understand the environment in which its programs operate; allowing for a concerted effort in the overall strategic planning process to be in concert with socioeconomic and legislative environment data sharing and communicators concerns or directions.Supervises legislation staff that provides written testimony in preparation for scheduled hearings on various veteran employment issues. Coordinates activities with the DOL Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA) and other organizations as necessary to develop the written testimony and other documents supporting testimony preparation.

Fort Belvoir, Va

Provided the Office of the Chief Army Reserve, Army Reserve Communications, with strategic communications support for community outreach, the Ambassador Program, public relations and executive-level communications products.

Fort Belvoir, Va

◾ Developed Strategic Communication Plans for PEO EIS Program AMS2◾ Advised senior leadership on improving outreach◾ Planned and organized PL Acquisition Management Support Solutions stakeholder engagement activities◾ Developed products to target Army Acquisition stakeholders and achieved targeted strategic objectives◾ Collaborated internally and with other Government parties to develop materials and documents promoting and expanding the reach and impact of the PL Acquisition Management Support Solutions program and capabilities.◾ Updated and maintained the PL Acquisition Management Support Solutions Online presence◾ Created and maintained a master media archive and directory of PL Acquisition Management Support Solutions strategic communications material◾ Supported the PL Acquisition Management Support Solutions personnel in editing and publicizing various documents◾ Reviewed and revised written drafts to conform with the formatting and editorial guidelines defined in Army Regulation 25-50

Washington D.C., The Pentgagon

• Provided recommendations on communication strategies, identified likely project risks and developed solution options as well as mitigation strategies for the Meet Your Army program. • Assisted subject matter experts across the Headquarters, Department of the Army staff and secretariat and various commands and external agencies in developing communications strategies and guidance designed to raise awareness, educate and inform various internal and external audiences. • Worked on the Meet Your Army initiative to reacquaint the American people with America's Army using 3 lines of effort. Planning and coordinating senior leader engagements in specific cities, through these engagements encouraged senior Army leaders to express appreciation to the public and show the public that their hard earned tax dollars are supporting the Army and national defense. • Provided guidance and counsel to Office of Public Affairs (OCPA) leadership on the ramification of Army actions/comments/documents as they pertain to the communication and public affairs communities. • Attended various Operational Planning Team meetings, Communication Planning Group meetings and Initial Planning Review meetings offering input/guidance. • Demonstrated strategic/tactical/media communication professional experience. • Provided balance to day to day demands for missions requiring immediate attention • Planned for and supported activities and events (engagements, conferences, etc), • Supported both traditional and non-traditional media development

Stafford, Va

• Conducted research and communication audits to inform communication planning for military manpower and reserve affairs communication priorities. • Developed communication strategies that integrated content across print and electronic platforms. • Developed evidence-based strategic communication goals, objectives, key messages and tactics aligned with organizational communication strategies.• Developed secondary content development strategies supporting strategic communication goals. • Provided editorial assistance to multi-disciplinary team members to ensure alignment with communication goals and customer requirements. • Developed and refined communication standards, guidelines, and processes.

Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Public Affairs Officer to the Chief of Army Reserve/Commanding General United States Army Reserve Command (much like a CEO) for an organization of more than 200,000 soldiers and 12,000 civilians with a 9 billion dollar annual budget. Official spokesperson for Commanding General/Chief of Army Reserve on all communications with the media, soldiers, families and the civilian workforce. Provided full spectrum public affairs activities for communication with internal and external audiences and stakeholders. Coordinated for and prepared the Commanding General/Chief of Army Reserve for all interviews and opportunities to engage media to deliver critical messages to tell the Army Reserve story. Reviewed and managed talking points,speeches, advisories, press releases, communications plans, social media, video, and related materials to support his communication objectives.

Fort Belvoir, Va

Served as the Deputy to the Director for Army Reserve Communications. Responsible for strategic communications to include, National Outreach, Recruiting Communications, Web and Social Media, Executive Communications and Command Information. Supervised 15 military, civilian and contract employees. Established and maintained working relationships with media outlets, internal staff, external agencies, and stake holder groups to achieve a more balanced perception of the organization. Maintained a team atmosphere, coordinated work flows and wrote statements of work, wrote awards and evaluations.

Washington D.C., The Pentagon

Acting Public Affairs Officer to the Chief of Army Reserve/Commanding General United States Army Reserve Command (much like a CEO) for an organization of more than 200,000 soldiers and 12,000 civilians with a 9 billion dollar annual budget. Official spokesperson for Commanding General/Chief of Army Reserve on all communications with the media, soldiers, families and the civilian workforce. Provided full spectrum public affairs activities for communication with internal and external audiences and stakeholders. Coordinated for and prepared the Commanding General/Chief of Army Reserve for all interviews and opportunities to engage media to deliver critical messages to tell the Army Reserve story. Reviewed and managed talking points,speeches, advisories, press releases, communications plans, social media, video, and related materials to support his communication objectives.

Washington D.C., The Pentagon

Served as the Deputy Chief of the Media Relations Division of Army Public Affairs and as an Army spokesperson. Direct, guide and mentor the engagement of 16 military and Army Civilian media action officers and spokespersons regarding Army-level issues with national and international media. Serve as the Chief of the Media Relations Division in his absence. Act as a public affairs advisor to the Chief and Deputy Chief of Army Public Affairs and to the Army Secretariat and Army Staff. Orchestrate the crafting of media engagement strategies, press releases, responses to media queries and media assessment analysis. Conduct public affairs liaison with the public affairs staffs of Army Commands and Direct Reporting Units, the Department of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, sister Armed Services and other U.S. government agencies.

Washington D.C., The Pentagon

Served as Chief of Personnel and Human Resources Team for the Media Relations Division of Army Public Affairs and Headquarters Department of the Army spokesperson with local, national, and international media agencies. Led and supervised 2 media action officers and spokespersons. Assisted with planning and engagement strategies for Army strategic messaging efforts. Acted as a public affairs advisor to the Chief of Media Relations. Acted as a public affairs liaison with public affairs staffs of Army Commands and Direct Reporting Units, the Department of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, sister Armed Services, and other U.S. government agencies. Answered media queries, participated in collaborative planning groups with other directorates, wrote media advisories and casualty press releases.

Crystal City, Va

Led the development and execution of the Army Reserve Command Information Program ensuring Soldier's​ and Families were informed about the Army Reserve's current priorities and mission. Informed internal audiences about Army Reserve policies, programs, news, and information and the significant and relevant contributions of the Army Reserve. • Supervised a staff of four public affairs specialists • Responsible for all internal communication to more than 200,000 soldiers, their families and 12,000 civilians• Managed the publication of the two “flagship” Army Reserve magazines with an operating budget of more than $280,000• Executed and evaluated information programs designed to improve the understanding and recognition of the U.S. Army Reserve objectives for developing the media, general public, surrounding communities, civic groups and organizations and public officials

Crystal City, Va

Served as the National Outreach Branch Chief for the Army Reserve Communications Directorate. Supervised 5 individuals. Served as the conduit between the Army Reserve Commanding General and more than 100 Sr. Civilian Army Reserve Ambassadors geographically dispersed across the United State. Conducted outreach to external audiences to build relationships and promoted new ideas on issues of mutual interest, improved the understanding and knowledge of the Army Reserve across America. Planned and executed multiple National Conferences and speaking engagements for Army Reserve Sr. Leaders; organized and supported high profile recurring and special events. Maintained strong relationships with external stakeholders and influencers through outreach activities, events and initiatives.

Public Affairs, Journalism

B.A., Communications

Activities and Societies: Womens Swimming Team and Army ROTC

High School Diploma