Brett Lea
Summerville,S.C.
Summary
Highly accomplished leader with 27 years of demonstrated success in diverse and dynamic environments. Gifted in communications and marketing planning, able to craft and implement strategic communication plans that achieve organizational objectives. Expertise in strategic and crisis communications, public and media relations, community engagement, and brand management. Proven leader with a strong track record of building and managing teams, developed through extensive experience in high-stakes environments. A compelling storyteller adept at leveraging various media, including film and video production, to convey impactful narratives. Skilled in developing and executing digital and social media strategies, countering misinformation, and managing a diverse array of events in military and civilian environments. Brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, adaptability, and a commitment to fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Communications and Marketing
Advanced Technology International
07.2024 - 04.2025
- Developed and executed a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with ATI's business objectives.
- Oversaw a team managing strategic communications, digital media content, video production, and community and media relations.
- Drove ATI's brand awareness and managed its corporate reputation.
- Fostered strong relationships with key stakeholders and ensured consistent messaging across all divisions.
- Streamlined internal communications processes across five divisions ensuring cohesive brand messaging and corporate support to divisional communication efforts fostering a more collaborative and efficient work environment.
- Enhanced brand visibility by developing and implementing a comprehensive and dynamic digital content strategy maximizing organization's event outreach efforts.
- Mentored junior team members on best practices in communications, marketing strategies, and digital content creation, contributing to their professional development.
Executive Producer
D-Day to Today: A Band of Brothers Legacy
11.2022 - 06.2026
- Producing a feature film documentary following actors from the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers as they retrace the footsteps of the Soldiers of Easy Company.
- The film is a veteran-led, veteran-funded project that will explore the impact the seminal series had on keeping the names of the brave men of Easy Company alive, along with all WWII veterans, as well as the inspiration it provided to a generation of American service members that continues to live on with the current Easy Company at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
- The feature film is expected to premiere on the 25th anniversary of the premiere of the series in September 2026.
President
Discourse Digital
12.2022 - 07.2024
- Founded and led a social media training company to combat misinformation, disinformation and the dangerous effects of modern digital media usage.
- Developed and delivered training programs on social media strategies and best practices.
- Consulted with clients on enhancing their digital presence and engagement.
Public Affairs Officer (PAO); Air Defense Officer
US Army
01.2001 - 01.2023
- Led dynamic and diverse Public Affairs professionals across Brigade to HQ, Army levels, developing and disseminating strategic communications to regional, national, and international audiences.
- Served as a direct report to the Army Chief of Public Affairs, spearheading the development of compelling entertainment media and coordinating military support for major motion pictures and award-winning TV series to inform and inspire the American public.
- Oversaw the public relations campaign as the lead PAO for the evacuation of Afghanistan, managing messaging for the withdrawal of NATO forces and over 124,000 civilians, marking the end of the 20-year conflict.
- Functioned as the lead PAO in Poland for a multi-agency, multi-nation mission supporting Ukraine, orchestrating strategic messaging for diverse U.S. and global audiences.
- Developed compelling and dynamic creative content tailored across an array of social media platforms to engage military, government, family, and community stakeholders.
- Recognized for exceptional senior leadership and Public Affairs expertise through induction into the Honorable Order of St. Gabriel.
- Led at Platoon to Battalion level in Air Defense positions, both in garrison and combat environments provide Theater-level support against indirect threats to the Joint Force.
- Taught Military History at the United States Military Academy, serving as counselor to Cadets; teaching strategy, the history of warfare, insurgencies, World War II, and leading two Staff Rides to Normandy to help Cadets better understand the lessons of D-Day.
Education
Master of Arts - History
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC05-2012
Bachelor of Arts - Sports Management & Marketing
Marshall University
Huntington, WV05-1998
Skills
- Strategic communication planning
- Public relations management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Crisis management communications
- Global public relations
- Strategic social media management
- Film and video production
- Live event production
- Postsecondary Education & Counseling
- Digital media awareness training
Certification
Honorable Order of St. Gabriel, U.S. Army Public Affairs, 2022.
Languages
French
Limited Working
Software
Adobe After Effects
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Slack
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Express
Canva
Trello
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro
MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail)
Zoom
Teams
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Affiliations
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
- PRSA South Carolina Chapter
- Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA)
- 82ND Airborne Association
Quote
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
Abraham Lincoln
Interests
Family
Golf
Running
Film
Travel
Reading
Websites
Timeline
Director of Communications and Marketing
Advanced Technology International
07.2024 - 04.2025
President
Discourse Digital
12.2022 - 07.2024
Executive Producer
D-Day to Today: A Band of Brothers Legacy
11.2022 - 06.2026
Public Affairs Officer (PAO); Air Defense Officer
US Army
01.2001 - 01.2023
Master of Arts - History
University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Arts - Sports Management & Marketing
Marshall University
Similar Profiles
Charity H. ChisolmCharity H. Chisolm
Accounting Specialist at Advanced Technology InternationalAccounting Specialist at Advanced Technology International
Caio Lara Cardoso Da SilvaCaio Lara Cardoso Da Silva
Warehouse Worker at Advanced Technology InternationalWarehouse Worker at Advanced Technology International
Max HopkinsMax Hopkins
Program Manager II at Advanced Technology InternationalProgram Manager II at Advanced Technology International
Danielle McGenityDanielle McGenity
Registered Nurse, Ambulatory Care, Rotating Charge at Roper St. Francis HospitalRegistered Nurse, Ambulatory Care, Rotating Charge at Roper St. Francis Hospital
Nicholas RomeoNicholas Romeo
Fire Extinguisher Technician at HillerFire Extinguisher Technician at Hiller