L. Stephen Gaither Email & Phone Number

Columbia, Missouri Area

● Major Activities: spokesperson for news media requests, press releases, media relations including coordination of all media contacts/interviews with hospital staff, bi-weekly employee newsletter, all-employee electronic messages, facility annual report, communication plans for various projects, speech writing & presentations and content manager for hospital website. ● Direct liaison with VA Regional Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, VA Heartland Network public affairs and VA Central Office public affairs/communications. ● Public relations team member/leader at 10 annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games. ● Chaired/co-chaired national VA Public Affairs Officer Mentoring Program (2003-present). ● Primary liaison with elected officials & their staff members, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce (co-chaired Education Committee 2005-2007), the Frederick Douglass High School Partnership In Education "industry based" program and veteran service organizations including Missouri Veterans Commission. Leadership roles with Missouri Veterans History Project and "Military Morning" activity in Columbia. ● Successfully managed frequent news media crisis situations.

Served as Board President during 2010. Have been an active United Way volunteer since 1989 and served on the Board of Directors from 2001 to 2011. Still volunteer for annual fund campaign as a Division Co-Chair and through the Combined Federal Campaign.

Oversaw annual allocations process, admission of member agencies, maintaining positive relations with member agencies

Ba, Political Science

Activities and Societies: Student Union Board of Governors, Young Democrats, Intramural Sports

Ba, Political Science