Greater Chicago Area
I have one of the coolest jobs on the planet. My days are spent making people aware of the ingenuity and impact of the more than ten thousand exceptional scientists, engineers and innovators that work or visit Argonne. And I get to help tell their stories. Argonne is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research center, where teams of world-class researchers work alongside experts from industry, academia and other government laboratories to address vital challenges in clean energy, environment, technology and national security. In essence, the folks that work at Argonne use science to make life better for everyone on the planet. My job is to lead external communications for Argonne’s $1 Billion operations including its 6 research divisions, 12 centers, 6 national user facilities, and hundreds of research partners. I do this by directing and mentoring a team of senior communication leads, science writers, social media specialists, and support staff who tell the stories of Argonne, it's amazing people, and the work they do. Maybe you’ve seen some of these stories? I also lead our crisis communication efforts, maintain relations with our friends at the Department of Energy and other federal and state agencies, interact with our legislative representatives, train scientists how to tell their own stories, and help promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education efforts for Argonne. Interested in learning more? Go to www.anl.gov What about when I’m not working? Well, I take my obnoxious dog for hikes, spend time with my wonderful wife,watch bad science fiction shows, and quietly search the globe for the perfect donut.
Lead all external communications for Argonne’s $1.2 billion operations including 21 research divisions, 6 national scientific user facilities, and hundreds of research partners. Responsible for a wide variety of strategic and tactical communications activities with a focus on external communications and the strengthening Argonne’s reputation with priority audiences. Responsibilities and accomplishments include: • Maintaining relations with the news media and serving as a spokesperson, including pro-active, positive news and reactive issue management • Leading, mentoring, and managing a team of two dozen senior communication leads, science writers, and support staff. • Preparing, training, and mentoring leadership and researchers for media interviews and public speaking • Advising Argonne and Department of Energy leadership on strategic communications and messaging on key issues • Developing and executing successful communication plans and strategies • Manage crisis communication and issues management for the Laboratory • Producing communication products in support of leadership communication needs • Leading, mentoring, and managing social media and web communications staff • Directing, coordinating, and presenting science communication training for Argonne, Department of Energy, and University of Chicago staff and management • Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and partner organizations • Synthesizing complex technical issues and subjects for presentation to diverse audiences • Highly skilled in verbal and written communications, especially for direct use with the news media as well as indirect use with the news media in the form of talking points and Q&As for lab director and senior officials
Responsible for assisting government agencies, non-governmental organization, and private sector groups across the nation with plans, training, exercises, and support materials relating to media and public relations before, during and after a crisis / emergency. Activities include: • Provided risk communication and emergency public information training, exercise and product development support to the Department of the Army, Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security • Collaborated with and provided training for Argonne colleagues to provide media relations, public speaking, risk communication and emergency public information expertise to new and ongoing initiatives, such as Department of Homeland Security business preparedness, Department of Homeland Security study on public confidence in government terrorism response, Public Health Emergency Preparedness training and University of Chicago Hospitals terrorism preparedness • Developed tools for government public information professionals utilizing existing and emerging communication technologies • Developed a national model for organizing emergency public information through a Joint Information system/Center consistent with the National Incident Management System • Created case studies and training materials to enhance message delivery by public officials during a time of crisis. • Managed field teams on complex projects in support of sponsor needs • Provided technical assistance and subject matter expertise to sponsors • Invited speaker on communication issues at national and international conferences
Adjunct Instructor and subject matter expert for risk and crisis communication issues involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) issues. Worked with an international team of experts to help prepare sub-Saharan African government officials to deal with the risks posed by unintentional or malevolent incidents caused by CBRN materials as well as by the illicit trafficking of those materials and agents in the region. The project was aimed at promoting a security culture and the establishment of a sustainable infrastructure to address and mitigate the CBRN risks.
Serves as an adjunct instructor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Management Institute located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, providing week long instruction for public information officers from around the globe including materials on news conference preparation and presentation, risk and crisis communication methodology, news interview skills, joint information system/center development and application, and social media usage during times of crisis. Co-author/primary subject matter expert of FEMA Public Information Officer Awareness course (G289), Basic PIO course (G290), and Joint Information System/Center (JIS/JIC) Planning for Tribal, State, and Local Public Information Officers (G291), Advanced PIO: Health and Hospital Emergencies (MGT902), has developed new materials for the Advanced Public Information Officer Course (E388) and is featured in NIMS Public Information Systems (IS702).
As public information officer, was responsible for coordinating and managing all public relations / internal communications functions for Utah Department of Public Safety including the Highway Patrol, Driver License Division, Fire Marshal's Office, Safety Council, Highway Safety, Communications Bureau, State Crime Laboratory, Criminal Investigation Bureau, Emergency Management Office, Bureau of Criminal Identification, and Utah Police Academy. Would handle over 6000 inquiries from local, national and international news media annually and was responsible for public information/crisis communication management on multiple programs and high profile evens including the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, natural disasters, multi-fatality traffic incidents, criminal activity, special enforcement actions, and security for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Responsibilities also included: • media relations and emergency public information at event scenes including staging news briefings, establishing media staging areas, creating Joint Information Centers, and providing statements and briefings to the news media; • developing and managing department web sites with over 2000 static pages and interactive forms; • researching public attitudes / trends affecting the department; • planning and coordinating public / media events; • creating and delivering public information training courses to hundreds of public safety professionals and elected officials; • researching and developing management and legislative reports; • developing budget information; • tracking Federal and State legislation; • creating and distributing educational and awareness campaign materials; • supervising agency, freelance, and support services and pubic information staff.
As public information officer, was responsible for coordinating and managing all public relations / emergency public information / internal communications functions for the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command (UOPSC) in support of all law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical, emergency management, public works, and anti-terrorism functions for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and effectively supported over 20 federal, state, and local agencies including Utah Department of Public Safety, Salt Lake City Police, FBI, ATF, Secret Service, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Defense through coordination of public information efforts. Activities included: • developing multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional Joint Information Center for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games; • developing strategic plans for maintaining community relations and contacts with elected officials and businesses; • responded to local, national, and international media inquiries; • advising senior management in the development of UOPSC's public image; • planning and coordinating public / media events; • negotiating contracts for services, supplies, and trademark usage.