Ray Bowden Email & Phone Number

U.S. Air Force Academy, Co, Us

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Responsible for informing employees about departmental, facility and community activities and news through the internal information program-- Directs and instructs personnel assigned to the newspaper as reporters, writers, editors, photographers and illustrators-- Gathers background information, conducts interviews and writes stories for the base newspaper-- Makes news and feature article assignments to writers and reviews copy upon completion-- Reviews illustrations, photographs and artwork for quality and composition and selects the most newsworthy for publication-- Works cooperatively with contracted printer, overseeing layout and approving final copy prior to printingPerforms complete editing functions of the base newspaper-- Edits material submitted for publication, judges relative importance of articles and determines the amount of space and prominence each will receive-- Responsible for writing the headlines and selection of type-- Selects features and determines layout for most attractive presentation-- Reviews page layouts for weekly editions of the paper ensuring that copy is prepared properly for type of composition required by the printer-- Reviews and/or oversees the rewriting of material submitted for publication by other organizations-- Prepares technical information in layman's language-- Resolves questions as to which of several stories will be published on basis of newsworthiness, motivation and compatibility with local and high headquarters policyProvides advice and assistance to supervisors, project officers and commanders regarding ongoing public affairs and community involvement activities

Freelance concert reviews of Phish, Moe, Railroad Earth, String Cheese Incident and other bands.

"Crime Beat", general assignment reporter

Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado

Informed a local audience of 120,000 on high-level and sensitive issues including Don't Ask, Don't Tell, H1N1 Death, aircraft crashes, airmen suicides, land use and encroachment issues and a variety of Air Force programs and community support issues. Strategically managed media visits, reports and advisories to local electronic and print media outlets.As the Public Affairs Superintendent, I directly supervised, trained and developed a staff of five enlisted members and 19 civilian military journalists; edited and coordinated news articles from 39 globally-separated-units and 53 mission partners; and monitored the base public web site to ensure accurate and prompt information flow resulting in an average 29,000 site visits per-week.

Incirlik, Turkey

As noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Incirlik Air Base Public Affairs, I led a 10-person staff and managed all personnel programs and assets to inform 5,000 active-duty populace and European audience of 350,000. Additionally, managed coverage for numerous politically sensitive events to include the Turkish Parliament civilian contractor ruling; base runway closure; and on-base housing construction. I designed Incirlik Air Base’s 2008 Labor Negotiation Media Plan and mitigated local fears by strategically highlighting the positive Turkish-American relationship. Also, I created first nuclear logistics-move strategic communication plan in 4 years, setting a template for future events and guided Public Affairs operations during the 2008 United States Air Forces in Europe Nuclear Surety Inspection. (Incirlik Air Base received the highest rating possible following the inspection.)

• Deployed to Baghdad as member of General David Petraeus’ Joint Operations PA staff; Coordinated more than 2,000 press releases / responded to more than 1,300 queries in 130 days; Recipient of the Golden Order of the Combat Quill and Microphone Award for leadership in a combat zone• Led PA team through manpower crunch; brought base PA programs to inspection ready level; strict oversight of budget ensured mission accomplishment with severely limited resources• Editor / Staff Writer / Photographer for weekly newspaper with audience of 18,000 and an organizational web site receiving an average 100,000 visits a week- Recipient of Air Combat Command's Outstanding Small Wing, Outstanding Medial Relations Program, Outstanding Internal Information Program and Outstanding Planned Event or Product Programs Awards. - Local coverage of Holloman’s support of Joint Task Force Katrina went World-wide.

Beale Air Force Base, Ca

• Responsible for a comprehensive law enforcement training program for 300 soldiers and airmen; aggressively managed the extensive career upgrade training of 90 enlisted airmen and officers with a 95 percent pass rate• Designed a news M-60 Machine Gun dust cover while deployed to Saudi Arabia. Saved thousands of dollars in quarterly repair / replacement costs

Communications, Communications

Activities and Societies: Lambda Pi EtaRegis University's B.A in Communication curriculum covers a broad range of responsibilities.

Communications Studies Undergraduate

Activities and Societies: Lambda Pi Eta

Public Affairs Associates Degree, Communications

Associates in Public Affairs; Associates in Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice, Associates Degree, Criminal Justice

Associates in Public Affairs; Associates in Criminal Justice