BRIAN ROSS RICK, M.S., CTM

Media Relations * Crisis Communications * Government Relations * Internal Communications

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-ross-rick-communications/

adz8wa@r.postjobfree.com * 910-***-****

Education + Training:

M.S. English Education Nova SE University

B.A., History/English Florida International University

A.A., History/English Miami Dade College

Postgraduate study in Communications and ESOL F.I.U.

Trained in Crisis Communications by a former spokesperson for the Secret Service.

Crisis Communications

Conflict Resolution

Emergency Operations Center Protocol Training.

Supervisors Academy/Management Training.

Public Involvement

Public Speaking

Cyber Security Training

Active Shooter Avoidance

Public Information In a WMD/Terrorism Incident.

FEMA Certifications.

Key Qualifications:

Experience working with diverse populations and professions.

Extensive experience in state and federal safety programs

Expertise in Media Relations, including on-camera interview techniques, news agency structures and industry standards.

Well-versed in Strategic Messaging for various traffic management approaches.

Extensive supervisory, management and mentorship experience.

Extensive experience with public records requests and coordinating with Legal staff.

Former adjunct instructor at City College Ft. Lauderdale and Barry University.

Well-versed in Unified Command structure and protocols.

Developed and implemented a training program for project managers and frontline staff in “How to survive an ambush interview.”

Highly experienced in Crisis Communications, Legislative Affairs, Public Outreach, Change Management, and grassroots advocacy techniques

Trained and experienced in stakeholder relations.

Proficiency in Interagency Relations

Highly experienced in Government relations, from municipal to federal.

Served on Governor’s Hurricane Evacuation Task Force.

Served on the Removal of all Debris Safely (ROADS) task force.

Worked closely with FEMA in the aftermath of severe storm events.

Expertise in creating and implementing a strategic messaging campaign.

Highly experienced in working with social media and web design staff, providing creative input and direction.

Highly proficient in editing with a focus on plain language and AP Style.

Well-versed in the use of modern communications tools such as Zoom and Teams.

Expertise on broadcast interview techniques, strategic messaging, and planned rebuttals.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Served as the primary spokesperson for the implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

Created/implemented a national publicity campaign for Actor Burt Reynolds for loaning his personal helicopter to the Florida Park Service for aerial surveys.

Commissioned to write an Op-Ed piece for the Sun-Sentinel entitled “Technology Taking Transportation into the Future.”

Special paper, “The Symbolism of Architecture” entered into Florida International University’s archives.

Produced a publication, “Diversity in Transportation to inspire students from diverse communities to pursue careers in Transportation.

Initiated the process of getting a state park listed on the National Historic Registry.

Highly skilled in writing and placing opinion pieces and editorials.

Track record of collaborating with HR staff to recruit and retain talent.

Highly accomplished in employing strategic communications to achieve a Return on Investment.

Highly accomplished in coaching leadership on best practices for press interviews and responses to legislative requests.

Successful track record of creating and managing teams and working across multiple boundaries and skillsets.

25 years of experience as a press liaison with state and county government agencies in multiple jurisdictions.

Highly skilled in crisis communications, strategic marketing, dispute resolution, legislative/congressional relations, public outreach, reputation management and team building.

Extensive experience in media relations, coordinating the response to public records requests, and building strategic alliances.

Highly successful in engaging local, county, state, and federal government agencies, with special emphasis on building partnerships and stakeholder relations.

Extensive experience in management, staff supervision, internal/employee relations, and staff development.

Proficient in leadership coaching, speech writing, presentation building, crafting talking points and coordinating press conferences.

Highly experienced in conflict management and resolution, consensus building and working with a diverse workforce.

Extensive experience in partnering with graphic specialists, videographers, website managers and social media specialists.

Skills include a track record of coordinating the response to press inquiries for natural disasters, severe incidents, and regional emergencies.

Highly accomplished in creating and implementing comprehensive communication plans designed to support agency objectives with proven results.

Expertise in website enhancement, publicity, crafting news releases, pitching stories, storytelling, audience engagement, and audience engagement.

Highly accomplished with all facets of communications programs, from concept to implementation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Communications Writer/Crisis Management (Virtual/Contractual)

Non-Profit Agencies and Advocacy Groups

2021-

Revise agency Disaster Preparedness Plans for continuity of service during emergencies. Create articles for agency newsletters about the services each agency provides. Ghost-write feature stories about the services that each agency provides. Advise on response to adversarial broadcasts. Coordinate with legal staff to provide unified and strategic messages for all possible scenarios, including data breaches, donor defaults and budgetary. Monitor social media and recommend responses.

Communications Specialist

Florida Department of Transportation District 1

2018 – 2021

Bartow, Florida

Served as a departmental spokesperson in 12 South West Florida Counties, responding to media, legislative and citizen requests. Recruited staff and managed emergency call center during severe storm events. Coordinated strategic messaging with emergency staff. Managed direct reports. Developed strategic messaging for programs and special projects, such as roundabouts and speed humps. Initiated contact with news agencies for state and national campaigns. Coordinated responses to legislative requests. Reviewed, edited, and revised collateral materials submitted by staff and consultants. Distributed press releases for planned and emergency closures. Provided on-camera interviews. Crisis Communications included responding to emergency closures, an active shooter incident in Sebring, road, bridge incidents and severe storm events. Cultivated relationships with local officials and state and federal agencies. Managed a $5 million consultant contract.

Communications Officer

North Carolina Department of Transportation

2014 - 2018

Jacksonville, NC and Raleigh, NC

Served as the primary spokesperson for NCDOT in 14 counties in S.E. North Carolina; responding to routine and emergency media requests. Created and implemented several communications plans that surpassed expected results. Wrote speeches for executive staff, placed Op-Ed pieces and letters to the editor to reinforce key messages. Wrote talking points for executive staff and elected officials for special events. Initiated and supervised regional press conferences prior to and during state-wide emergencies. Worked closely with Emergency Management to disseminate storm related information to the public. Trained county maintenance engineers and upper management in surviving ambush interviews, customer service/dispute resolution and social media awareness. Reviewed and revised website content. Served as the primary regional spokesperson for NCDOT during severe weather events, incidents, and other issues, both regional and state-wide. Project management experience included creating/ implementing a communications plan to reduce workplace injuries as well as an employee alert system in the event of active shooter or other emergencies. The “Any Risk” campaign dramatically reduced workplace injuries across the state. Performed more than 150 on-camera interviews from 2014 to 2018. Crisis Communications included six severe weather events, and 50 plus infrastructure damage/delay issues.

Public Outreach & Media Specialist

Florida Department of Transportation District 6

2004 - 2014

Miami, Florida

Served as the primary departmental spokesperson for FDOT in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. Created and implemented a targeted public awareness campaign for copper wire theft. Managed the regional social media efforts. Wrote feature articles and contributed photographs to the employee newsletter. Developed a training program for project managers in how to survive an ambush interview. Managed the District Roadway Designation Program that necessitated extensive work with the Florida Legislature and South Florida Congressional Delegation and municipal and county commissioners across the region. Coordinated with Emergency Operations Staff/Local Emergency Management to update motorists on storm event closures, wildfire response, hurricane evacuation and incident related closures. Major media issues included the 95 Express Rollout, Ramp Signals, Hurricane Wilma Response, 18 Mile Stretch/Jewfish Creek Bridge Replacement and the SR 826/836 Interchange Reconstruction Project. Wrote speeches for leadership. Cultivated partnerships with local and federal agencies. Served on the website renovation task force, the Communications Champions team, and the 95 Express team.

Public Affairs Consultant

Breakthrough Public Affairs

2002-2004

Sunrise, Florida

Trained and coached community activists in grassroots advocacy, phone-banking, petition drives, volunteer recruitment and coordination, creating and organizing community action groups. Supervised two (3) employees.

NOTE: Served as an adjunct Writing Instructor at City College in Fort Lauderdale during this time.

Assistant Executive Director

Broward County Charter Review Commission

2001 –2002

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Served as a liaison between the Charter Review Commission (CRC) and the media. Facilitated in-person testimonials from nationally recognized experts on governmental structure for the purpose of assessing the county charter. Supervised one (1) staff member.

Public Information Specialist

Florida Department of Transportation District 6

1998-2001

Miami, FL

Coordinated crisis communications during severe incidents in both Miami-Dade and Monroe County. Fielded questions from the Press. Provided on-camera interviews, managed Media Availabilities, and joint press conferences for FDOT in Miami to achieved maximum press coverage of key programs. Wrote/ distributed press releases and feature articles for employee newsletters. Served on SERT (State Emergency Response Team). Produced a booklet, “Diversity in Transportation.” Served as the lead spokesperson for ITS in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

Media Consultant

Brian Rick Consulting

1992-1998

Served as a public-affairs, community relations and publicity consultant for attorneys in the tri-county area and FDOT. Recruited/supervised volunteers and professional fund raisers for political races. Organized grass roots campaigns and fundraising. Pro-bono work: two (2) presidential campaigns, a senate re-election campaign and gubernatorial campaign and a local congressional race. Supervised three (3) employees.

Information Specialist III

Florida Park Service

1990-1991

Hobe Sound, Florida

Marketed, managed media relations, and publicity for state parks between Broward and Brevard County, Florida. Worked closely with Tourist Development Councils and legislators. Coordinated special events, familiarization tours and seminars. Worked closely with law enforcement. Crisis Communications: Coordinated media response to an active shooter incident and a civil disobedience incident. Coordinated Earth Day events that drew record numbers of attendees to each park. Trained all law enforcement officers in Media Relations. Supervised one employee.

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