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College of Media Visiting Committee

The Visiting Committee is a group of high-level professionals, alumni and friends who serve in an advisory capacity to the College of Media. Committee members share their expertise, insights and connections with administration, faculty and students to help the College achieve academic excellence and national prominence. Committee members are appointed by the WVU Provost in consultation with the College of Media Dean and typically serve three-year appointments.


SHAWN ANDERSON

WVU, BSJ, 1981
Anchor, WTOP, Washington, D.C.


Shawn Anderson

Shawn Anderson co-anchors the afternoon drive-time show for top-rated all-news radio station WTOP in Washington, D.C. WTOP is America’s No. 1 revenue-earning radio station, and is on the cutting-edge of digital news gathering.

Since 1998, Anderson’s show has been one of the highest Arbitron-rated afternoon radio programs in the country. Anderson has contributed to hundreds of national and regional awards earned by WTOP, including several RDTNA National Edward R. Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence.

Anderson co-anchored WTOP’s coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks and the 2002 Beltway sniper murders, among other major national news stories.

Anderson has anchored WTOP’s breaking news coverage on numerous local and national stories ranging from the 9/11 terror attacks, to natural disasters, to the recent Capital Gazette shootings.

Prior to joining WTOP, Anderson twice covered the Olympic Winter Games as a news and sports anchor for the Associated Press Radio Network. As sports director for the Tennessee Radio Network, he was a member of Vanderbilt University’s football and basketball broadcast crew.

Anderson is a native of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., and a WVU graduate. As a student, he worked as a disc jockey and sportscaster at WCLG-FM in Morgantown and as a sports writer for the Preston County Journal in Kingwood. After graduation, he sandwiched a stint in politics between on-air stops in suburban Pittsburgh, Annapolis, Md., and the West Virginia Radio Network. Anderson lives in College Park, Md., with his wife, Sharon O’Malley, an author, freelance journalist and professor of journalism at Anne Arundel Community College.


CHRISTOPHER CASERTA

WVU, M.S. IMC, 2010
Vice President, Business Development

Chris Caserta

Christopher Caserta is a strategy and marketing communications executive with over 20 years of experience within regional and national health systems and post-acute healthcare organizations.  Within the healthcare industry, he has led teams in corporate strategy, marketing communications, brand building, demand creation, relationship sales, and digital communications. 

Caserta is the vice president of Business Development for U.S. Medical Management.  He leads corporate strategic planning, marketing and branding, sales, health plan contracting, mergers & acquisitions, and partnerships.  Previously, Caserta was the vice president of Strategy and Marketing within the Continuing Care division at Trinity Health, the second-largest Catholic Health System in the United States.  

Through marketing strategies and LEAN process improvements, he collaborated with national leaders and chaired the integrated health system model that captured $199 million in revenue from acute to post-acute care patient transitions within 93 hospitals.  Caserta’s teams have exceeded organic sales growth goals for senior housing and skilled nursing throughout six states that created $3.5 million in revenue. He was elected by his peers to Trinity Health’s Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) team that captured $52 million, an increase of 420% from previous years. Caserta also orchestrated a LEAN/performance improvement exercise that yielded $3.6 million and increased the national skilled nursing facility capture rate by 24%.

Prior to Trinity Health, he spent over 15 years and held several executive roles at regional post-acute care organizations and health systems. Caserta has authored integrated marketing communications plans that have maximized home & community-based services organic growth by 46% through utilization strategies of home health, hospice, and private duty services. Caserta’s traditional and digital advertisements have received Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards from the annual National Mature Media Awards competitions. 

Caserta enjoys volunteering by organizing and delivering meals at a food pantry in downtown Detroit. At nine years old, he began competitively racing go-karts and has been frequently seen on football fields, baseball fields, and basketball courts coaching his community’s recreational youth leagues. He can also be found singing songs with his guitar at open mic nights and the occasional paid gig.

In 2010, Caserta received his Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University and has a Bachelor of Specialized Studies in Biomedical Science with a Psychology minor from Ohio University.

Caserta is also an adjunct professor in the Integrated Marketing Communications program in WVU Reed College of Media, where he specializes in healthcare marketing and growth strategies.


MEREDITH DELANEY

WVU, BSJ, 2001
Director of Philanthropic Strategies, Scripps Howard Foundation

Meredith Delaney

Meredith Delaney is the Director of Philanthropic Strategies for the Scripps Howard Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to create a better informed world through journalism education and childhood literacy. She oversees community giving in Scripps local television markets and through Scripps national networks, in addition to leading the “If You Give a Child a Book…” childhood literacy campaign.

Delaney brings with her over a decade of experience in fundraising and non-profit industries, previously serving as Senior Director of Development for the regional colleges at the University of  Cincinnati and Senior Community Impact Associate at United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Delaney received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the Reed College of Media at West Virginia University in 2001 and a master’s degree in Communication from the University of Cincinnati in 2004. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Queen City Book Bank and is a former Vice President, Board of Directors for The Literacy Council of Clermont & Brown Counties. She is a graduate of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s program WE Lead and the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Rising Star Leadership Development Program.


KAREN SNYDER DUKE

WVU, BSJ, 2009
Editorial Operations Director, POPSUGAR

Karen Snyder Duke

Karen Snyder Duke is the editorial operations director at POPSUGAR, where she helps guide network-wide analytics, reporting, and tracking; project manages editorial tentpoles and special programs; oversees contingent labor, new hire onboarding, and training; and more. Karen began her career in the print magazine industry, working as an editor at several publications, including Parents, Redbook, and Good Housekeeping, over the course of nine years. She first joined POPSUGAR as a Voices editor, assigning health and fitness content through the brand's robust freelance program, before becoming director of Voices and, finally, moving into an operations role. Karen lives in Manhattan with her husband and fellow Mountaineer, Nathan, and a cat and dog named for two East Side avenues: Madison and Lex.


BETSY KLEBE DZIEDZIC

WVU, BSJ, 1979
Former Vice President of Corporate Communications, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.   

BETSY KLEBE DZIEDZIC

Elizabeth (Betsy) Klebe Dziedzic is the former Vice President of Corporate Communications at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., a Fortune 300 Industrial Gases and Chemical manufacturer, where she had global responsibility for leading stakeholder communications globally, including employee communications, executive communications, marketing communications and brand management, financial and sustainability communications, media relations and crisis communications, and digital and visual communications for 14 years. 

During her tenure, she led two corporate re-branding campaigns, a major re-design of the global website, developed the Crisis Management Communications process and led acquisition and divestiture communications for major corporate deals.  

Betsy began her career at Air Products in Human Resources; where she held positions in compensation, diversity and human resources operations. She later served as director of Quality prior to joining Corporate Communications. Betsy has been a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, past chairman of the Conference Board’s Council on Corporate Communications Strategy. She has served her community in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania on the boards of directors for the State Theatre for the Performing Arts of Easton, Pa, Discover Lehigh Valley and the Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 

A third generation Mountaineer, she received her bachelor’s degree in 1979 from the WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism and is currently chairing the Capital Campaign for the Kappa Kappa Gamma house at WVU. 


CHELSEA FULLER

WVU, BSJ, 2011
Managing Partner and Senior Strategist, Black Alder


Chelsea Fuller

Chelsea Fuller (she/her) is a seasoned strategic communications and media strategist with more than a decade of experience supporting movements for radical change. Previously she held the position of Vice President of Communications at TIME'S UP and was the Deputy Director of Communications at Blackbird, a leading movement capacity building firm where she worked for nearly six years. 

Known for her work inside of The Movement for Black Lives, The ‘me too.’ Movement and other formations working to end systemic violence, Chelsea has led countless successful campaigns and messaging strategies, effectively shifting national and international narratives around central issues like race, white supremacy, patriarchal violence and community safety. 

As a former journalist and media advocate, Chelsea’s highly-regarded for her work in helping journalists and media managers adjust their reporting of systemic issues–work that has ultimately led to more accurate, nuanced and authentic coverage of issues impacting the most vulnerable including sexual violence, the criminalization of  Black children and police violence.

Chelsea brings a wealth of experience, as well as deep-trusted relationships with media, business and community leaders around the globe. She has successfully placed stories in the likes of The New York Times, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Yahoo Business, Vanity Fair, Refinery 29, The Root, Essence and others. She’s advised dozens of clients, including Twitter, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The National Urban League, SEIU, Dignity and Power Now, Argent, the Highlander Center, and the Working Families Party. 

Chelsea holds a BA in News Editorial Journalism and Africana Studies from West Virginia University, an MA in Strategic Communications and Social Justice Advocacy from American University and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Divinity at Methodist Theological School of Ohio.


Samme Gee

WVU, BSJ, 1975
Member, Jackson Kelly PLLC


Samme Gee

Samme L. Gee is a member of the Firm's Healthcare and Finance Practice Group. Gee's practice is focused on tax exempt and taxable municipal bonds and related governmental financings  as well as corporate trust, legislative services and governmental agency representation. In that capacity, she routinely serves as bond counsel, underwriter's  counsel, trustee's  counsel or issuer's or borrower's counsel. Gee has extensive experience in the financing and development of infrastructure projects with an emphasis on water, wastewater, highways and public facilities and economic development projects. She is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers  (NABL} and is listed in Woodward/White's The Best Lawyers in America®. She was also named in the spring 2017 The Best Lawyers in America® "Women in Law" Business Edition.

Gee graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1983, where she was a member of the West Virginia Law Review. She also holds a master's degree in public administration.


CYNDI W. GREENGLASS

WVU, M.S. IMC, 2013

President, Livingston Strategies


Cyndie Greenglass

Cyndi W. Greenglass is a founding partner and president at  Livingston Strategies, a data-informed, strategic consulting firm that helps clients develop, execute, and measure their customer communications with a close focus on results.  Cyndi has razor-sharp strategic skills matched by impeccable on-the-ground savvy and tactical abilities. These qualities have enabled her to build a successful company and reputation in performance-based marketing across a broad range of industries including B2B and B2I, as well as in critical compliance and regulated communications.

Prior to launching her consultancy, Cyndi was a founding partner of Diamond Communications Solutions where she acted as a strategic architect, helping clients design opti-channel performance marketing programs with an eye on results.

Cyndi is on the Board of Directors of Honor Flight Chicago and is an Advisory Board Member for BRAND United. She has taught and trained marketers throughout the world. She currently co-hosts a podcast series entitled Marketing Horizons sponsored by WVU, and is a consistent contributor to books, white papers, and articles by thought leaders. She has been recognized as:

  • 2019 Recipient of the Commitment to Service Award, WVU Reed College of Media
  • 2018 Alexis Vanedis Teaching Award Winner
  • 2018 Winner 20 Women in Business by Sales Lead Management Association
  • 2017 Winner 40 Inspiring Leaders in Sales Lead Management
  • 10 Most Fascinating People in B2B
  • 2016 Winner 20 Women to Watch in Sales Lead Management
  • 2015 INC 5000 Honoree
  • 2014 INC 5000 Honoree

Cyndi holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Toronto and a Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications through the Reed College of Media at WVU. She helped to develop the Data Marketing Communications program at WVU Reed College of Media where she is now an Adjunct Instructor.


LUELLA GUNTER

WVU, BSJ, 1993
Executive Director of Philanthropy, Mon Health


Luella Gunter

Since 2019, Luella Gunter, has led the Mon Health Medical Center Foundation as its Executive Director. 

Gunter brings nearly 20 years of development and fundraising experience to the position at Mon Health. Her strong background includes all facets of development, including annual funds, major gifts, and principal gifts. Most recently, Luella raised nearly $1 million in funds toward the advancement of heart and vascular care at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute. Her history of growing organizations is proven.

Gunter is a graduate of the WVU Perley Issac Reed School of Journalism with a major in Public Relations. Before her fundraising and development experience, she worked in marketing and growth for both large and small companies.


CHAD HYETT

WVU, BSJ, 2001
Executive Vice President, MCS Healthcare


Chad

For more than 20 years, Chad has built industry-first communications programs for some of the world’s most respected healthcare organizations. Today, he drives new capabilities and new ways of thinking for MCS Healthcare and its clients. He has a deep appreciation for the psychology of communications and a passion for developing original ideas that approach communications differently.

Before MCS, Chad held senior positions at some of the world’s top public relations firms including Porter Novelli and Fleishman-Hillard. Chad works out of Basking Ridge, NJ and is honored to be a 2001 WVU Reed College of Media graduate.



ROBERT KITTLE

WVU, BSJ, 1975
Former Editorial Page Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune


ROBERT KITTLE

An award-winning journalist with extensive experience in national, state, and local affairs, Kittle served for nearly two decades as editorial page editor of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Later in his career he stepped in as director of news content for KUSI-TV in San Diego. As a much sought-after commentator, he provided regular political analysis on PBS’s “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.” He also appeared frequently on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and “Weekend Edition,” along with numerous interviews on network and cable television news programs. In San Diego Kittle was a regular guest on KUSI-TV and KPBS radio and television, and hosted his own weekly public affairs program on SignOn Radio.

Kittle has nurtured a lifelong interest in American history. His first book, “Franciscan Frontiersmen: How Three Adventurers Charted the West,” relates the little-known story of pioneering friars who accompanied Junípero Serra to California in the middle of the eighteenth century. It was published in May 2017 by The University of Oklahoma Press. He currently is researching a book on the Cupeño “trail of tears” in San Diego County at the start of the 20th century.

Kittle joined The San Diego Union in 1986. During his tenure he traveled the world widely under the auspices of The National Conference of Editorial Writers, including extended tours to the Soviet Union and eastern bloc countries in 1990, as communist regimes were collapsing, and to the Islamic world in 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks. He speaks Spanish, German, and Italian.

From 1979 to 1986, Kittle was an associate editor of U.S. News & World Report in Washington. He served the magazine as White House correspondent, congressional correspondent, and Pentagon correspondent. After covering Ronald Reagan’s successful 1980 presidential campaign, Kittle was assigned to the White House on a full-time basis, ultimately conducting multiple presidential interviews in the Oval Office. Prior to joining U.S. News & World Report, Kittle was the Washington bureau chief for The Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail. He is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Daily Athenaeum.

His writing accolades include the George Washington Honor Medal awarded by the Freedom’s Foundation of Valley Forge, the Scripps Howard National Newspaper Award, the William Randolph Hearst Award, the California Newspaper Publishers Association Award, and numerous citations from the Los Angeles Press Club and the San Diego Press Club. Kittle and his wife have two grown children and live in Cayucos, Calif., and Carefree, Ariz.


RICK LOUGHERY

WVU, BSJ, 1994
Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications, GoPro

Rick Loughery

Rick Loughery currently serves as GoPro’s Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications overseeing GoPro’s brand and product marketing initiatives, communications as well as international marketing. He started working with GoPro at the end of 2009 and joined full time as the 13th employee in early 2010. During his time at GoPro, he has worked closely with teams to build and execute marketing programs that helped GoPro become one of the top brands in the outdoors sports and consumer technology industries.

He has been at the forefront of the emergence of key shifts in marketing communications from UGC and social media to the evolution of earned media from traditional public relations to influencer marketing.

Prior to joining GoPro, Rick spent 13 years in Silicon Valley working with various technology companies both in-house and at agencies. He co-founded Three-Forty Communications, based in San Francisco, where he worked with early-stage technology companies, such as Yelp, and also helped launch Fitbit. The success of Three-Forty led to an acquisition by Dig Communications (now Olson Engage). Rick now works out of GoPro’s San Diego office and is raising three awesome kids in Carlsbad.


JENNIFER MANTON

WVU, BSJ, 1991
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Jennifer Manton

Jennifer Manton leads Kramer Levin’s marketing and business development initiatives. She works closely with the firm’s executive leadership, management team, and practice groups to develop and implement strategy to advance the firm’s business objectives, including efforts to expand and improve relationships with existing clients and to engage new clients. Jennifer also directs all aspects of the firm’s branding, marketing and communications strategy, including media relations, advertising, digital marketing and social media, as well as internal communications.

Jennifer has more than 25 years of legal marketing experience which includes, developing and executing numerous marketing, business development and client service initiatives at Am Law 100 and 200 firms. Jennifer began her career — and developed her passion for professional services marketing and business development — working with accounting firms in her hometown of Pittsburgh.

In 2017, the Legal Marketing Association inducted Jennifer into the LMA Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the LMA and the legal marketing industry and who exemplify the highest levels of experience and leadership in legal marketing. Jennifer founded the Pittsburgh Chapter of the LMA in 1998, and has been actively involved as a volunteer and leader in the association. She served as the President of the national LMA in 2009.


SHARON MARTIN

Vice President of University Engagement & Chief Marketing Officer, West Virginia University


Sharon

Arriving at West Virginia University in the fall of 2013, Sharon serves as the chief marketing and communications officer for the university. She led the branding effort in 2015 that launched the “Mountaineers Go First” campaign and repositioned the university as an academic and research leader. In 2017, WVU’s University Relations team was selected as one of the top 3 teams in the country by the American Marketing Association.

In the fall of 2017, Enrollment Management was added to her portfolio. The team has integrated the roles of marketing and communications, recruitment and admissions, and financial aid. Beginning in 2021, she also oversees Alumni Relations and leads the launch of the Purpose Center. Leading these areas allows the teams to create a strategic yet personal student experience to improve recruitment and admissions rates at the University, while also elevating the alumni experience to create stronger bonds with the University.

Prior to her arrival at WVU, Sharon served as the assistant vice president of marketing at Purdue University leading the areas of brand, creative and marketing strategy. She also owned a boutique marketing and communication agency, and founded a local, bi-monthly women’s magazine, which focused on relevant women’s issues and local community programming. She worked for the Purdue Alumni Association for 13 years, ultimately serving as director of communications and editor of the bi-monthly magazine.

Sharon currently serves on the board of the WVU Alumni Association and is a member of the executive committee of the Association of Public Land Grant’s Council on Strategic Communications. She has served on the boards of National Mortar Board, Association of Women in Communications, American Marketing Association, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.

She and her husband, David Howell, have three children: Grace, who is a junior studying advertising and public relations at WVU, and Spencer and Carter who are enrolled in the Country Roads program at WVU.


LAUREN O'CONNOR

WVU, BSJ, 2008, MS, 2016
Chief Revenue Officer, Primoprint
Co-Founder, Coneckt


Lauren O’Connor

Lauren O’Connor is currently the Chief Revenue Officer for Primoprint a national brand that prides itself in providing best-in-class printed products, customer service and superior products at incredible prices. At Primoprint, Lauren drives the company’s brand and go-to-market strategy where she is responsible for strategic planning, sales, technology, development, digital marketing, global brand management, market analysis, customer experience, training and PR & communications.

Lauren is also a co-founder of Coneckt, a tech start-up focusing on children connecting through technology. Using machine learning, children are able to utilize voice activation to connect to their parents and guardians, increase life skills, optimize education and assessment through edutainment.

Prior to founding Coneckt and joining Primoprint, Lauren spearheaded sales and marketing efforts for small and large organizations including; Hewlett-Packard (HP), GU Energy Labs, Trigger Point Performance, various digital brand agencies, PR firms and larger organizations. During her time with HP, Lauren led integrated global marketing programs and influenced the organizational use of social media platforms and analysis. She was awarded the coveted HP Winner’s Circle award, an award 50 selected employees receive.

Upon entering West Virginia University (WVU), Lauren was named co-captain of the rowing team prior to joining the women’s rugby team. She went on to play for women’s premier teams in the United States; the Austin Valkyries and the Berkeley All Blues. Lauren also spent time serving on the board of the Marin Highlanders and was the first female coach of the boys’ high school varsity team as well as establishing the first girls program.

In 2015, Lauren received the Young Alumna Achievement award from the Reed College of Media. Lauren also joined the Reed College of Media as Innovator-in-Residence for the Spring of 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in public relations from West Virginia University and a Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications through the Reed College of Media at WVU.


SUKHI SAHNI

WVU, MSJ, 2004
Corporate Communications, Capital One


Sukhi

An accomplished marketing and communications strategist, Sukhi Sahni’s career spans public, private and nonprofit sectors. Sukhi is passionate about reframing relationships between brands and their customers / consumers, prizing purpose, authenticity, poignancy, and connected conversation above all things. She believes that powerful storytelling is at the heart of good communication and draws on her training as a broadcast journalist to extract truths, push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Sukhi deeply values the relationships she’s built and cultivated over the years with journalists, bloggers and influencers - relationships that are core to the storytelling process.

Sukhi brings the energy of new practitioner with the finesse and fearlessness of a veteran to her daily practice. She currently holds the position of SVP, Head of Brand Communications at Wells Fargo, where she is leading change and brand transformation by driving Enterprise driven integrated storytelling, leveraging the PESO model, to build trust and brand favorability. Previously, Sukhi was the Head of Corporate Communications for the Credit Card and Retail Business at Capital One.

Sukhi was recently recognized as the Top Rising Future CCOs list. She is also recipient of the  “Global Innovator 25 Award” and a top woman in PR through the  “Top Women in PR Award”. When not busy with her day job, Sukhi enjoys learning from and teaching her Master’s students as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown university.

Born and raised in India, Sukhi always brings a global perspective to her approach and thinking. She currently resides in metro Washington D.C. with her family.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukhisahni/


JACELYN SWENSON

WVU, BSJ, 1981
Retired Global Communications Professional

Jacelyn Swnson

Jacelyn Swenson is a creative and analytical marketing and communications executive who has led strategic initiatives, raised brand awareness and inspired global, matrixed teams to deliver high value return in the corporate, nonprofit and agency environments.

Most recently she led Strategic Events and the Global Speaker's Bureau for IBM Corporate Communications, working with the CEO's senior leaders to drive IBM thought leadership. Previously on the IBM Corporate Marketing team, she led global brand programs and created social, digital, and immersive experiences to make the IBM brand more relevant and engaging with its stakeholders.

Ms. Swenson held several marketing and communications leadership positions at GE to help strengthen its brand prior to joining IBM. Her career began at a worldwide public relations and advertising agency.

She is a dedicated lifelong learner and has attended senior management and leadership courses at the IBM and GE executive campuses, corporate communications leadership conferences in Antwerp, Paris, London and New York, and completed the management and leadership program at Templeton College in Oxford.

Ms. Swenson takes great pride in mentoring and coaching students and professionals to help them reach their personal and professional goals. She has dedicated her career to supporting STEM and ensuring her programs and teams are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

She received a B.S. Degree in Broadcast Journalism from West Virginia University and resides in metro Washington D.C.


BRANDON THOMAS

WVU, BSJ, 2010
Executive Vice President, Freud Communications


Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas is a seasoned communications professional with more than a decade of public relations experience. In this time, he has led strategy and execution for a diverse group of clients across industries including corporate, healthcare, technology, education and nonprofit.

In his role as executive vice president for Freuds, he leads the company's New York office and operations, using his experience in strategic communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion to support Freuds Group's mission-driven client work and building an inclusive New York company culture.

Brandon was previously vice president and NY General Manager at PAN Communications, where he oversaw client relations, office/ team management and new business development for the NY market. Prior to PAN, Brandon served as Associate Vice President at Red Havas where he managed client relations and oversaw account teams both large and small. He also helped lead the U.S. agency’s National Culture Committee where he implemented initiatives that promoted cross-office engagement, fellowship and continued learning.

Brandon began his career at Widmeyer Communications; spending more than four years focused on driving earned strategy and media relations within the education and policy spaces. This experience prepared him for larger roles as Senior Director at Southard Communications and Associate Vice President at Red Havas.

He is a graduate of West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media (CoM), a Ronald E. McNair Scholar and serves as a CoM guest speaker and professional mentor. Brandon currently serves on the Board of the PRSA-NY chapter in the role Associate Director of DE&I. The DE&I committee is currently working to launch the chapter’s inaugural DE&I Summit. He’s also a member of Men of Color in Communications and the PR Council.


JOHN WALLS

WVU, BSJ, 1978
Studio Host, PGA Tour

John Walls

John Walls hosts coverage for the PGA Tour on its broadcast app, PGA Tour Live, is an on-site host for Silicon Angle TV’s flagship digital broadcast, ‘The Cube’, and is an adjunct professor in Sports Industry Management in the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University. Prior to that, he served as Vice-President, Public Affairs, for Washington, DC-based CTIA-The Wireless Association®, for 11 years.

Before his joining CTIA, Walls was a television news and sports anchor for nearly 25 years, most recently anchoring the evening newscasts for NBC-affiliate KJRH-TV in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 2000 to 2004. Walls was a member of the original anchor team for Fox Sports Net and was based in Los Angeles from 1996 to 2000. He has also served as Sports Director for three television stations, including from 1984 to 1996 for KTUL-TV and KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He began his broadcasting career in 1978 at WWVU-TV, a PBS affiliate, in Morgantown, West Virginia before serving as host of the syndicated television program, “PM Magazine” in Texas. Walls has received numerous awards for his work in broadcasting, notably Regional News Emmys for his reporting on methamphetamine in Oklahoma and his on-location anchoring of the Timothy McVeigh execution.

Walls graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism, and holds a master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University.


ERIC M. WINKFIELD

Vice president at M Booth


Eric

Eric M. Winkfield is a vice president at M Booth in its corporate practice adding depth in the areas of reputation management, public affairs, and issues and crisis management. He also is the agency lead for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) 360 initiatives. As M Booth’s first officer-level role with a focus on accelerating progress in representation, benchmarking and tracking inclusion efforts as well as holding the firm accountable to evolve into a more inclusive environment for all.

Prior to joining M Booth, Winkfield worked for Pepco, a Washington, D.C.-based public utility company owned by Exelon. There he served as key member of the governmental and external affairs team, charged with advancing community outreach strategies, strategic stakeholder engagement plans and leading cross-functional teams on regulatory and public policy initiatives. He holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University, and a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Florida A&M University.

He is passionate about advocating and helping others grow to become their best and authentic selves and has an unwavering commitment to mentoring. In 2018, Winkfield was named The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations’ Emerging Leader. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and serves on the board of advisors for After-School All Stars DC; and is also a graduate of Leadership Montgomery County, a nonprofit dedicated to developing future leaders to building work cultures that celebrates different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds.