Brian J. Sterling

630-***-**** ad0z9b@r.postjobfree.com

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

Engaging Stakeholder Goals, Targeting Audiences and Defining Project Objectives via “Marketplace of Ideas.”

Building Coalitions and Forging Consensus to Develop Creative, Focused and Powerful Messaging Strategies.

Award-winning communications expert focusing on media relations, public and government affairs. Bringing fresh thinking and innovation into the ideation process to create compelling messages. Serving as a consensus builder to gain trust and confidence. Exceptional writing skills to expertly identify constituencies and develop captivating messages. Maintaining keen sensitivities to public perceptions and social trends as part of developing effective communication strategies. Strong crisis communicator and veteran media trainer.

Expert ability to gather, analyze and synthesize varied, technical and often nuanced

information, translating and condensing it into clear, concise and persuasive messaging.

●Proven capacity to clearly and effectively communicate to audiences from a variety of educational, economic and cultural backgrounds—oftentimes making challenging issues readily understood by all.

●Expert strategist and consensus builder steering stakeholders/teams toward a unified strategy and vision.

●Strong institutional knowledge of the Chicagoland and downstate media, government and political landscape.

●Former journalist, prolific writer, world-class editor and AP style expert.

Professional Experience

DSK & ASSOCIATES 2015 - Present

Marketing Communications Consultant

Developing and managing all corporate messaging and strategy for a boutique management firm composed of former Fortune 500 senior executives. DSK provides exceptional operations and engineering talent, project management and change management consulting services to entrepreneurial food and beverage companies.

STEVE KIM FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ILLINOIS 2022

Director of Travel, Advance, Logistics

Escorted the candidate to every event/stop during the 2022 GOP primary election campaign for Illinois Attorney General: duties included scheduling, briefing, correspondence, message development/strategy, coordinating travel and generally smoothing out the stress and logistical challenges of running a statewide political campaign. Drove nearly 25,000 miles in 100 days to attend dozens of political rallies, fundraisers, volunteer events and media interviews.

DISCOVER GLOBAL NETWORK 2019 - 2020

Project Manager-Communications

Complete lifecycle ownership of select web-based communications reaching both internal and public customer audiences and stakeholders of Discover Global Network (Discover® Network, Diners Club International® and PULSE®).

●Managed and published document updates via effective operational communications to both internal and external customers of Discover Global Network facilitating international commerce across 190 countries and territories.

●Drove the timely lifecycle of content from writing, editing and navigating necessary consensus/approvals among C-Suite and legal stakeholders to ultimately posting/publishing on various external web gateways.

●Designed parameters/metrics to gauge messaging effectiveness and develop/refine communication plans.

DAN RUTHERFORD FOR GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS 2013 - 2015

Communications Director

Directed all facets of campaign communications for the 2014 GOP gubernatorial primary candidate. Collaborated closely with the candidate, various internal and external political advisors, outside service providers, volunteers and staff members to develop communication strategies designed to showcase the candidate in the best possible light.

Scheduled, planned and managed editorial board visits, public appearances, including

debate preparation and execution, interviews, news conferences and other campaign events.

Professional Experience

DAN RUTHERFORD FOR GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS 2013 – 2015 (continued)

●Authored all news releases, position papers, talking points, statements, Op-Eds, letters to the editor and a wide variety of other written and oral communication. Developed and wrote social media content.

●Spearheaded earned media efforts by “pitching” and scheduling hundreds of live and pre-recorded radio and television interviews. Worked with journalists, producers and media personalities to secure appearances.

●Coordinated travel and advance needs to meet demanding deadlines and dynamic scheduling challenges.

ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION 1999 - 2012

Public Information Officer

Led the development and creation of messaging and communication strategies for various complex regulatory matters. Served as official agency spokesman for the quasi-judicial body responsible for regulating several industries, as directed by the Illinois General Assembly.

Scheduled and directed media interviews with the ICC Chairman and Commissioners. Coached individuals prior to public and media appearances, including legislative testimony before Congress and the Illinois General Assembly.

●Played a key role in all public message development including writing, editing and approving speeches, commission publications, legislative reports, formal comments to the FCC, FRA and the FERC, talking points, press releases, public service announcements and an internal employee newsletter.

●Served as liaison and catalyst communicating effectively with the Governor, IL General Assembly and Congress to prepare timely answers to highly complex queries. Topics included electric deregulation, reliability, transmission and distribution, smart grid, municipal aggregation, renewable energy, real-time energy pricing, electric vehicles, area codes, rail and pipeline safety issues, Public Utilities Act, Telecom Act and Vehicle Code.

AAA–CHICAGO MOTOR CLUB 1995 - 1999

Managing Director of Public Affairs and News Bureau Manager

Excelled in the daily management of corporate communications planning and execution to provide exceptional value to a client base of 715K members. Trained, mentored and supervised a four-member staff. Crafted and/or reviewed and edited all press releases distributed to roughly 1,000 media outlets. Developed and authored position papers and legislative mailings. Coordinated AAA-CMC legislative programs, analyzing political trends and actions in Illinois, Indiana and Washington, DC. Key contributor to rewriting the association’s mission statement.

Awarded Publicity Club of Chicago’s Golden Trumpet Award and two Chicagoland PRSA Skyline Awards.

●Managed all media activities, including taped and live television and radio interviews.

●Coordinated all AAA traffic safety programs, and held the role of Associate Editor, Writer, and Photographer for Home & Away magazine with a circulation of 400K. Contributed to annual editorial calendar planning.

●Met regularly with elected officials. Testified before various legislative committees, and successfully fostered impactful dialogue with legislators and staffers.

●Promoted three times in four years, from manager of community relations, to manager of public affairs, then to managing director of public affairs.

Previous work history as Policy Analyst and Assistant Press Secretary for the IL House Republicans (1993 - 95) and as a Reporter, Photographer for Metropolitan Newspapers, Inc. (Lemont, IL, 1991 - 93).

Education and Professional Development

Graduate Certificate, Utility Regulatory Studies

Eli Broad Graduate School of Management/NARUC Institute of Public Utilities Michigan State University

Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Journalism Lewis University

Professional Recognitions, Organizations and Associations

Golden Trumpet Award, Publicity Club of Chicago; Skyline Award (2), Public Relations Society of America (Chicago Chapter); First Vice President, IL Highway Users’ Association; Campaign Coordinator, George W. Bush for President, 13th Congressional District (IL); Precinct Committeeman, Lisle Township Republican Organization (elected office, six years); Member, City Club of Chicago, Chicago Area Public Affairs Group, Midwest Automotive Media Association, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (Trans. and Gov. Affairs Committees).

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