Cristie Hopkins
Bel Air,USA
Summary
Strategic Communications Director with more than twenty years of comprehensive experience. Most recently, overseeing daily communications, media, and public relations of the Harford County Sheriff's Office. Hardworking and versatile professional well-versed in creating and executing communications strategies, preparing and implementing plans and overseeing performance.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Media and Public Relations
Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Bel Air, MD
06.2014 - Current
- Serves as the primary spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office;
- Acts as strategic advisor to the Sheriff and Command Staff concerning all matters of public relations, reputation management, and communications during both routine and active incidents;
- Available to Command 24/7 to respond to and manage all high risk and crisis communications during critical public safety incidents;
- Creative storyteller engaging the community in the work of the Agency;
- Researches, prepares and writes news releases, official statements and other marketing materials for public release;
- Supervises all external communications and ensures they are accurate, well-written, professional and consistent with Agency policy;
- Develops and manages a proactive communications strategy to enhance community awareness and trust in the Sheriff’s Office;
- Produces and Hosts Agency television show, “Behind the Badge”;
- Manages all social media, electronic media, and website development and content;
- Manages a team of three, in addition to a 7 member on-call media team
- Coordinates all Agency requests from the media;
- Attends County events and public forums to ensure maximum, effective and accurate media coverage;
- Promotes public understanding of the Sheriff’s Office, its programs, services, activities and events through presentations to the public and representative community groups;
- Develops and coordinates marketing and advertising strategies;
- Cultivates and maintains positive relationships with media agency contacts;
- Oversee Agency events and awards.
Public Information Specialist
Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Bel Air, MD
03.2013
- Assist Director with above duties; Primary responsibility when hired was to build a robust social media presence; to include gaining deputy buy-in and the integration of photos and video to quickly and accurately communicate with citizens.
Development Director
Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, Inc.
01.2008 - 04.2010
- Oversaw all Communications, and Marketing, Fundraising, Community Outreach, and Volunteer Services, to highlight a few: Acted as Agency spokesperson; Public speaker providing education to a variety of audiences including; volunteers, law enforcement, high school students, and potential donors; Organized fundraising efforts for $1.5 million organization; Maintained advertising and marketing efforts; Coordinated events; Testified before legislature in Annapolis on key issues impacting victims; Served a one-year appointment as Co-Chair for the Domestic Violence Taskforce on the Lt
- Governor/Attorney General’s Family Violence Council.
Director of Community Outreach and Development
Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2008
- Oversaw all Communications, and Marketing, Fundraising, Community Outreach, and Volunteer Services, to highlight a few: Acted as Agency spokesperson; Public speaker providing education to a variety of audiences including; volunteers, law enforcement, high school students, and potential donors; Organized fundraising efforts for $1.5 million organization; Maintained advertising and marketing efforts; Coordinated events; Testified before legislature in Annapolis on key issues impacting victims; Served a one-year appointment as Co-Chair for the Domestic Violence Taskforce on the Lt
- Governor/Attorney General’s Family Violence Council.
Community Outreach and Development Specialist
Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, Inc.
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Oversaw all Communications, and Marketing, Fundraising, Community Outreach, and Volunteer Services, to highlight a few: Acted as Agency spokesperson; Public speaker providing education to a variety of audiences including; volunteers, law enforcement, high school students, and potential donors; Organized fundraising efforts for $1.5 million organization; Maintained advertising and marketing efforts; Coordinated events; Testified before legislature in Annapolis on key issues impacting victims; Served a one-year appointment as Co-Chair for the Domestic Violence Taskforce on the Lt
- Governor/Attorney General’s Family Violence Council.
Education
BA Communications, Marketing Minor -
Mass Communications Studies -
Certificate of Completion
Certificate of Completion
Skills
- Strategic Advisor
- External and Public Relations
- Crisis and Reputation Management
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Media Relations
- Public Speaking
- Strategic Planning
- Social Media Management
- Story Pitching
- Creativity and Innovation
- Executive Leadership
Volunteer Experience
- Economic Vitality Committee, Downtown Bel Air Alliance, Past Chair
- Downtown Bel Air Alliance, Past Member
Accomplishments
Significant Accomplishments:
- Strategically navigated multiple Agency public relations crises;
- Managed all communications for multiple critical incidents including two active shooter incidents and two line of duty deaths;
- Launched Agency presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Next Door, Tik Tok, YouTube;
- Successfully migrated all publication of public information for citizens and media to social media platforms;
- Invited to guest lecture on local, statewide, and national stage highlighting successes of using social media in a crisis and the importance of transparency.
Affiliations
- Past Chair of Economic Vitality Committee, Downtown Bel Air Alliance
- Past Member of Downtown Bel Air Alliance
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Director of Media and Public Relations - Harford County Sheriff’s Office
06.2014 - Current
Public Information Specialist - Harford County Sheriff’s Office
03.2013
Development Director - Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, Inc.
01.2008 - 04.2010
Director of Community Outreach and Development - Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2008
Community Outreach and Development Specialist - Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, Inc.
01.1998 - 01.2001
University of MD, University College - BA Communications, Marketing Minor,
Harford Community College - Mass Communications Studies,
Harford County Leadership Academy - ,
The Granstmanship Center - ,