I directed the complete lifecycle of strategic communications, from planning and development to execution, for an enterprise with a global footprint spanning Japan, Guam, and key strategic locations across the United States. I led and mentored a multi-disciplinary creative team of journalists, artists, and digital media professionals to produce compelling messaging designed to enhance public trust and reinforce the U.S. Navy's brand reputation. My responsibilities included directing the editorial strategy and production of 'The Salute,' the shipyard's official newspaper, and leveraging it as a critical tool for workforce engagement and the documentation of naval history. In this role, I served as a principal communications advisor and strategist to shipyard military commanders and senior civilian leadership, providing critical counsel on media engagement, risk mitigation, and high-stakes crisis response. I also directed the public information strategy as the designated Emergency Management Public Information Officer (PIO) during large-scale security and disaster preparedness exercises. Additionally, I spearheaded the modernization of enterprise-wide public affairs policies and digital communication frameworks to ensure alignment with evolving Navy directives and industry best practices.

I partnered with C-suite executives and senior leadership to architect and implement comprehensive media relations, public relations, and corporate communications strategies. My expertise focused on transforming outdated or non-existent communications frameworks into dynamic, modern systems that aligned with broader organizational goals. This included overhauling media relations policies, establishing new brand standards, and auditing and refining communications SOPs to standardize messaging. I provided expert counsel on high-stakes crisis communications, having served as the central lead in complex, multi-agency crises and as the sole point of contact for global media during high-profile events. I also developed bespoke training programs and mentored creative teams to elevate internal capabilities. I leveraged decades of newsroom and military videographer experience, work that was recognized with two EMMY Awards, to craft compelling narratives that secured high-value earned media, managed public perception, and drove measurable results.

I architected and directed all public and media relations strategies across a 13-state network of ABA autism therapy clinics, successfully enhancing brand visibility and market presence. I served as a primary communications advisor to the CEO and area directors, providing counsel on shifting from reactive to proactive public relations and establishing best practices for strategic foresight and message control. A key focus of my role was executing C-suite level communications and developing a national thought leadership platform, which positioned clinicians as leading experts in ABA therapy and consistently generated high-value earned media. I also forged strategic community partnerships to bolster positive public perception and drive grassroots support for the organization's mission. These strategies drove significant growth in brand visibility, increasing the company's media value by 125% within my first nine months and generating more than 221 million unique impressions from 280 media stories.

I directed the complete communications portfolio for six critical and highly sensitive public-facing divisions, including the Health Department, Veterans Services, Jail Health, and the Medical Examiner's Office. I served as the chief spokesperson and strategist during complex, high-visibility crises of international media interest, personally managing all statements, interviews, and FOIA requests related to matters such as in-custody health and official cause-and-manner-of-death rulings. In this capacity, I provided executive-level communications counsel to the CEO and division directors while forging multi-sector partnerships to drive essential, service-driven projects for the community.

I leveraged decades of TV newsroom experience to spearhead a comprehensive overhaul of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks' media relations and communication policies, establishing new brand standards and streamlining public-facing messaging. Recognizing the need for a sustainable, system-wide program, I developed and implemented a new communications model designed to empower park staff to manage media relations independently. This initiative involved creating enduring templates and providing direct training to establish a consistent brand voice. Leading a cross-functional creative team of web designers, graphic artists, and community outreach personnel, I directed the creation and launch of an innovative video content strategy that resulted in a 200%+ increase in positive social media engagement. I forged and cultivated key strategic partnerships with media outlets, community organizations, business leaders, and educational institutions to expand brand reach and community impact. In this capacity, I served as the organization's primary media liaison, proactively securing positive news coverage, and orchestrated integrated marketing communication strategies, including managing all ad placements to strengthen market position.

Over a career spanning more than two decades in television news (1993-2015), I operated as an independent media professional and staff video-journalist, managing the complete lifecycle of news content for a portfolio of major-market television stations. My responsibilities included pioneering original story concepts and developing investigative leads, consistently contributing to the newsroom's exclusive content pipeline. As a versatile field producer, I directed the full production lifecycle for both daily news and long-form investigative reports—from initial story development and interview coordination to live shot execution, final post-production, and managing complex technical editing, narrative development, and motion graphics integration. My technical expertise extended to managing and operating microwave live-truck technology for high-stakes, real-time news broadcasts, producing award-winning stories under high-pressure, deadline-driven conditions for both broadcast and digital platforms. Beyond these production duties, my role involved significant newsroom leadership. I actively mentored and developed emerging journalists and interns, fostering newsroom talent and upholding the highest journalistic standards. Concurrently, I cultivated strong relationships with news directors and assignment editors, establishing a reputation for reliability, speed, and high-quality storytelling under demanding deadlines. This commitment to high-quality, impactful storytelling was recognized with 2 EMMY Awards, 9 EMMY nominations, and an Associated Press Award.

As a Freelance Video-Journalist and TV News Editor for a portfolio of major-market Michigan television stations, including WOOD TV 8, WDIV, WXYZ, and UPN 50, I operated as an independent media professional providing expert video journalism, production, and editing services. Serving as a versatile field producer, I managed all facets of the production process, from initial story development and interview coordination to live shot execution and final post-production. This work required cultivating strong relationships with news directors and assignment editors, establishing a professional reputation for reliability, speed, and high-quality storytelling under demanding deadlines.

As an active-duty Combat Camera Videographer, I was a member of the USAF 2nd Combat Camera Unit and was responsible for documenting U.S. Air Force operations for historical, intelligence, and public affairs applications. My duties involved producing and editing highly technical and sensitive video content in diverse and often hazardous environments, from domestic training exercises across the United States to international military operations in Korea. The role demanded a constant state of operational readiness, which included rigorous training and demonstrated expertise in chemical defense protocols, deployment logistics, and achieving an expert-level qualification in marksmanship. I collaborated with squadron leadership to develop story concepts and produce compelling visual narratives that directly supported the Air Force's strategic communication mission, ensuring all content met the highest technical and professional standards.

Remote Pilot Certificate

Federal Aviation Administration

2025 - 2027

Credential ID: 5222447