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communicating to our residents. In addition, there aremany communication tactics we are looking to enhance in 2008. These include massive changes to the types of programming we produce on our government access channel, CSTV-19, and new efforts in the areas of e-communications, media relations and marketing. There will be a definitive shift into being more strategic and more integrated in the manner in which we disseminate information and receive feedback from the community about the city.

What do you do in your job as the communications director for the City?
Variety. The City of College Station is active in a tremendous amount of community outreach projects and programs. From creating a new design layout for the police department’s annual report to developing an entire branding campaign for College Station Utilities, there is such a bouquet of opportunities to participate in communicating to our residents. In addition, there are many communication tactics we are looking to enhance in 2008. These include massive changes to the types of programming we produce on our government access channel, CSTV-19, and new efforts in the areas of e-communications, media relations and marketing. There will be a definitive shift into being more strategic and more integrated in the manner in which we disseminate information and receive feedback from the community about the city.

What role does public relations play in the City’s mission?
Critical. The city has pledged to its citizens an increased effort in the area of communications. The City Council identified last year in its 2007-2012 strategic goals “Effective Communications” as one of its top priorities. The City Manager recently adopted a new Communications Plan which sets forth programs to bring those strategic goals to fruition. City staff have moved forward with initiatives such as “Citizen Engagement”-creating a more consistent connection with citizens to empower them more into the governance of the community; “Greening College Station” – an enormous effort to collect the consortium of the city’s environmental friendly programs under one brand; and “Neighborhood Integrity” – a collaborative effort to find solutions to the challenges that plague various residential areas. All of these are specifically designed to communication with the community.

What is the one thing you wish everyone knew about your City?
It’s friendliness. From the first day I arrived in College Station back in October, I have been constantly reminded about how fortunate I am for me and my family to live in such a warm, welcoming community. The entire spectrum of people here are kind and considerate. From the Texas A&M University students who embody the “Howdy” t-shirts they wear with genuine enthusiasm, to the long-time residents who have opened their arms to us through time and talent – we truly have felt at home. The entire “aggie spirit” is saturated over this community. It shows up everyday in the great people that work at city hall, the numerous professionals from other organizations I meet with on a daily basis, and the residents, business owners, and people I encounter after hours and on the weekends.

What are some ways that citizens can learn more about the City (other than the public media)?
Our website, at www.cstx.gov. We are investing a lot of time and effort in many communication tools. Currently, we are posting many communication products on the site on special pages. For example, there is www.cstx.gov/2008bond that has updates on our capital improvement program, there is www.cstx.gov/cares that has information on the new red light cameras we have installed around town, www.cstx.gov/cstv19 that has a direct link to watch our channel LIVE and video files on past City Council meetings and our new weekly news show ‘College Station Now”, and finally www.cstv.gov/thelink which is home to our City Manager’s quarterly report on city projects and programs. On many of these pages you will find PDF’s of publications, on-line surveys, video streaming, radio pod casts, newsletters and so much more.

What experiences prepared you for your job?
My 18 years in municipal communications. I have been blessed to work with some petty amazing people during my career. From the front-line parks workers that helped me set up tables in the early morning hours of many July 4ths for the annual celebration in Kissimmee, FL - to the daily leadership I now receive from College Station’s City Manager, I have learned a lot from the people I work with. Many of the successes I have enjoyed professionally have been born out of the personal relationships I was able to establish and nurture over the course of time with those that I work with. Despite all the publications I have helped design, the TV shows I have produced or the public relations campaigns I have managed, it has always been the people that have taught me the most about my profession, and about life.

Who was your favorite teacher growing up and what did you learn from him or her that applies to what you do today?
My dad. I was 12 years old; quarterbacking a small-town, little league football team in rural Davie, FL. I was the QB, not because of my talents (I was probably the team’s 3rd best athlete), but because I was the only kid who could remember the playbook. In the midst of a dreadful season, in which we would eventually end up winless, I wanted to quit. He told me, “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.” I did not quit and endured the physical and emotional pain of the season. After losing the final game (against our cross-town archrival) on the final play of the game, my dad walked across the field scattered with my crying teammates being consoled by their parents, and told me “I am proud of you for not quitting.” Nearly 30 years later, that day on that football field is the greatest lesson I have ever received.

What do you like to do when you are not working?
Family, friends, football, food, and faith. With so many after-hour meetings and commitments linked to my job with the city, I try to spend valuable time with my family. My wife Jessica, and my three daughters (Kendall, Taylor, Payton) are the most important people in my life. We enjoy simple pleasures such as going to a park, church and playing a competitive session of the Gestures board game. I am a huge football fan, with a life-long passion for the Dallas Cowboys. One of my hobbies is grilling, and I enjoy firing up the portable grill in the back of my pick-up truck for our crazy tailgate parties at one of the annual Kenny Chesney concerts we attend each year. I also enjoy working out at the gym and being a “12-year old kid” playing Madden football on my PS2.

educating and communicating how City staff is making actionable progress towards our City Council-led initiatives and our new Strategic Plan’s key areas of emphasis: Image, Infrastructure, Education, Public Safety, Diversity, and Growth.

Additionally, our Communications/Marketing team recently expanded in staff to better support our vast number of City departments in areas of web development, graphic design, video/photography, and marketing/communication. As we develop new communications strategic plans to better share our story, we are better able to help our citizens understand how their tax dollars are spent, how we are providing services that enhance their quality of life, provide protection/public safety, emergency services, build better infrastructure for transportation/living needs, and attract better retail and economic opportunities for them.

What role does public relations play in the City’s mission?
Bryan’s mission statement is “The City of Bryan is committed to providing efficient municipal services to improve the quality of life and develop a community where all citizens are proud to live.” The City Council recently paired this Mission Statement with a new Vision Statement: “Bryan is a thriving, diverse, historic city where people are proud of their heritage, compassionate to one another and enjoy their family-oriented community to the fullest.”

Public relations (PR) is absolutely key to conveying this mission and vision to those who work and live in our wonderful community. Not only does my responsibility include the administration of internal and external communication of our organization to produce, maintain, and sustain Bryan’s positive image, but it also involves developing community partners to help us communicate that message as well. We depend on our relationship with the media, public, and community associates to foster healthy two-way communication between our internal departments and our citizens, businesses, future residential and economic partners.

What is the one thing you wish everyone knew about your City?
The staff and city council at Bryan city hall are passionate about their jobs and roles in city government. They love what they do and are eager to make positive changes for Bryan. There is a diversity of talent that never ceases to amaze me as I view my co-workers, and their energy is contagious. They work hard at making Bryan a better place in which to live and work. I am encouraged and pleased to work in an environment where there is so much passion for positive change.

What are some ways that citizens can learn more about the City (other than the public media)?
We have so many conduits of information flow. Our City of Bryan website (www.BryanTX.gov) is a valuable source of easily accessible information at your fingertips. Citizens can read press releases, find out departmental information, read about where their tax dollars are being used to help them, and ever watch city council meetings live from their pc. For example, soon a Bryan citizen will be able to not only read our 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on our website, but they will be able to see exactly where our city will be improving, right down to the street level on our GIS mapping program. Suddenlink Cable Channel 16 is the Bryan TV channel that is being populated with information and video (stay tuned to a new look, soon to be launched!). GetConnected is an email distribution list that citizens can sign up for to get up to the minute information sent directly to them (simply sign up from our website – it’s easy and free!).

What experiences prepared you for your job?
Aside from my years of marketing and communications experience, my community involvement was a huge preparation for this role. I have been involved with many community organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Brazos, American Business Women’s Association/Leading Women’s Express Network, Junior League, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and more. Whether serving as a general member or as the President of these organizations, I have met so many extraordinary people in this community. Additionally, I truly learned to love helping making this community – my community - a better one from a civic perspective.

I now get to impact my community from a whole new and gratifying perspective altogether. I value and appreciate the role I serve at the City of Bryan, because now I get a close up view of how Bryan helps impact people and their quality of life every day. Because I have loved helping impact other’s lives personally for years, I believe I am truly blessed to be able to do this for a living.