Gerard Sekerak
Virginia Beach
Summary
Dynamic Public Affairs Specialist with extensive experience at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, excelling in strategic communication and media relations. Proven track record in event coordination and community outreach, successfully enhancing STEM education partnerships. Adept at content creation and team leadership, fostering collaboration to achieve impactful communication outcomes. Organized and efficient secretary with background in providing administrative support to various office environments. Skilled in managing schedules, handling correspondence, and maintaining records with precision. Known for enhancing workflow processes and improving organizational communication. Proven track record of contributing positively to team dynamics and company culture by streamlining operations.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrative Specialist (Public Affairs)
Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic
Norfolk
11.2012 - Current
- Leads, mentors, advises, and trains managers, supervisors, staff members, and teams in the writing, planning, organizing, and execution of internal and external communications, public affairs, news, social, electronic media, community outreach, visual information, and media engagement.
- Serves as a liaison between command civilian and military teams, providing guidance, recommending solutions, and/or developing appropriate interventions to military and civilian management on internal and external communications challenges.
- Develops, supports, and facilitates corporate and strategic communications by researching, writing, and proofreading multiple types of internal and external written and visual communication products and publications according to security release guidelines.
- Performs Organizational Public Affairs Program Management: designs, drafts, and disseminates communications plans, media releases, messages, congressional responses, local activity information, affinity, diversity, and leadership virtual live events, announcements, and speeches; and facilitates the dissemination of electronic and print information products via Daily News blog, weekly summary emails, and Microsoft Teams.
- Delivers briefings, prepares written reports, represents the organization in meetings, conferences, and seminars, and assembles annual command activity reports on behalf of the NIWC Atlantic commanding officer.
- Provides photographic coverage, portraiture and documentation of employees and command events for internal and external social, and other media products.
- As the coordinator and public affairs representative for the command Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Outreach Program, I assist in the drafting of educational partnership agreements with Hampton Roads public school districts; coordinate volunteer employee participation in STEM and other community outreach events; and help build relationships with K-12 and college/university academia, government, and industry communities to enhance STEM education, resulting in improved scientific and technological literacy and competitiveness of local public school students.
- Graduated from the LEAD Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Signature Course in May 2019.
- Earned one individual and one team STEM quarterly award and two team affinity awards.
- Upholds strong ethical standards in all interactions and communications, ensuring media relations are managed with integrity and transparency.
- This is a federal job.
- Supervisor: Michaela Judge (843) 218-4645.
- Okay to contact this supervisor: Yes.
Public Affairs Officer
USS Wasp (LHD 1)
Norfolk
05.2010 - 10.2012
- Led, mentored, and trained a seven-person team in the writing, planning, organizing, and execution of internal and external public affairs, news, social media, and other electronic media, as well as communications skills and efforts, both in port and at sea, in support of a 1,100-Sailor Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic fleet asset.
- Advised senior leadership on the handling of media issues and unfavorable public reactions from the media, and formulated public affairs action plans that addressed changing situations.
- Served as the command spokesperson, providing public affairs, protocol, and speech-writing support to the commanding officer, ensuring clear and effective communication.
- Used a strong knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques required to function as a Navy Public Affairs subject matter expert to provide written responses to congressional and media requests.
- Maintained working relationships with civic groups and community leaders, and developed improvements to the public affairs program based on feedback received.
- Reviewed, wrote, and edited articles and photos about the mission and personnel for public release, increasing morale and recognition of Sailors and their achievements.
- Laid out, designed, and produced informational pamphlets and other publications using desktop publishing software, and prepared copy for printing.
- Coordinated publicity and managed public affairs resources during high-profile in-port and underway events, including Fleet Weeks in New Orleans, Port Everglades, New York, and Boston; Joint Strike Fighter initial at-sea testing; Hurricane Irene sortie; and two leadership change-of-command ceremonies, all of which involved visits and tours for numerous distinguished visitors and VIPs.
- Demonstrated proficiency in media engagement strategies, building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Webmaster/administrator and content manager for the command's intranet and public websites, and facilitator of Navy social media sites, effectively keeping the command, Sailors, families, and the community informed of current events.
- As Command Fitness Leader, provided physical fitness team leadership and training for 1,100 member officers and crew, both in port and underway.
Officer in Charge
American Forces Network
Rota
02.2006 - 05.2010
- Reporting Organization: Defense Media Activity.
- Guided, trained, supervised, and mentored more than 20 service members and local-national personnel, and created a detachment recognized worldwide for staying at the forefront in the quantity and quality of broadcast production.
- Managed all operations of a $1 million Department of Defense television and radio broadcast detachment, with an annual budget of $250,000, and 100 percent accountability for a community of over 2,000 U.S. Residents, service members, and their families.
- Expertly planned and coordinated four stages of the detachment's $500,000 digital upgrade, improving the technical quality of daily television and radio broadcasts.
- Coordinated the development of strategic internal and public information programs supporting installation events, activities, and community outreach programs by ensuring thorough communication and fostering positive public relations.
- Coordinated six live radio fundraising broadcasts, helping raise more than $20,000 for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and the community.
- Implemented the detachment's first Twitter page to work in sync with the base Facebook page, increasing effective communication of command events through social media.
- Served as the Public Affairs Officer/photographer for the base Chief Petty Officers Association.
- Honored with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Distinguished Broadcaster Award in April 2007, Defense Media Activity.
Public Affairs Specialist
Commander, Second Fleet
Norfolk
05.2003 - 02.2006
- Guided, trained, supervised, and mentored a three-person staff in the writing, planning, organizing, and execution of internal and external public affairs, news, social media, and other electronic media, as well as communications skills and efforts, both in port and at sea, in support of a 400-sailor fleet asset.
- Coordinated more than 25 public affairs staff members from seven area commands to support local, national, and international media efforts for two Carrier Strike Group homecomings in the first two months on board, and later for the historic stand down of NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic, receiving recognition from the Commander, Second Fleet.
- Developed, designed, and implemented the first monthly staff e-newsletter, 'Fleet Focus,' and produced, edited, and published articles and photographs as the newsletter editor.
- Provided emergent public affairs support while deployed to the Command Information Bureau at Naval Air Station Pensacola in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
- Established and maintained effective working relationships with public affairs officers from senior and tenant commands, and other Hampton Roads-area installations.
- Collaborated with leadership, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to develop and disseminate effective informational materials to the news media, general public, and target groups.
- Served as webmaster, administrator, and content manager of the command's public web and social media sites, in accordance with current Navy directives.
- As the Command Fitness Leader, I provided physical fitness training for a 300-member staff.
Broadcast Journalist / Public Affairs Specialist
Navy Region Hawaii
Pearl Harbor
01.2000 - 05.2003
- Guided, trained, supervised, and mentored a five-person staff in the writing, planning, organizing, and production of news, other electronic media, and communication skills and efforts.
- Produced, edited, and published articles about command missions and personnel achievements for the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, and Navy-wide publications.
- Coordinated and facilitated local, national, and international media coverage of several high-profile news events, including the USS Greeneville-Ehime Maru fishing vessel incident and ensuing courts-martial, the filming and premiere of the Hollywood production of 'Pearl Harbor,' and the 60th and 61st Pearl Harbor commemoration ceremonies on the Arizona Memorial.
- Produced a weekly full-format newspaper for the Navy readership throughout Navy Region Hawaii, earning a 2nd Place Chief of Navy Information award for the product.
- Executed the dissemination of Quality of Life/Service information via the intranet and other electronic means to command personnel and their families.
Broadcast Journalist
American Forces Network
FPO
11.1996 - 12.1999
- As the TV and Radio Department Leading Petty Officer, I supervised, led, trained, and managed five Sailors in all aspects of news production and operations, providing news, information, and entertainment for a community of over 1,000 U.S. service members and their families.
- As an E-6, hand-picked to serve as temporary duty, interim Officer in Charge at American Forces Network La Maddalena, Italy, to help fill a gapped E-7 station manager billet and lead, manage, and train a 12-person team in all aspects of television and radio broadcasting to provide news, information, and entertainment for a community of over 500 U.S. service members and their families.
- Produced four print and broadcast news stories during a two-week deployment to USS Enterprise (CVN 65), underway in the Mediterranean Sea, in support of Operation Desert Fox.
TV Broadcast Instructor
Defense Information School
Fort Meade
08.1993 - 11.1996
- Instructed over 1,000 U.S. and coalition partner students in the proper operation of military television and radio broadcast techniques and productions
- Responsible for the movement of $250,000 of broadcast department equipment with 100 percent accountability during a base relocation and closure move from Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN to Fort George G. Meade, MD
Broadcast Journalist
Southern European Broadcast Det.
La Maddalena
08.1990 - 08.1993
- Community Served: U.S. Naval Support Unit, La Maddalena, Italy.
- As a broadcast television news reporter and local radio show host, I produced and aired more than 1,000 hours of live and pre-recorded community information and entertainment programs for a community of over 500 people in the U.S. Service members and their families.
- As Detachment Training Petty Officer, I trained all station personnel on the operations of all television and radio broadcast equipment, helping to keep the detachment at peak efficiency.
Education
Bachelor's degree - Communications
City University of Seattle
Seattle, WA, United States09.2009
Skills
- Strategic communication
- Media relations
- Public affairs management
- Event coordination
- Content creation
- Editing and proofreading
- Team collaboration
- Social media management
- Community outreach
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Project management
- Information management
Objective
- To be selected for job announcement ST-12705680-25-TSW | Control number 833902900 | Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Site Lead for NIWC Atlantic
Professional Publications
- NIWC Atlantic Develops 5G Technology for Use Across the Fleet, https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3837390/niwc-atlantic-develops-5g-technology-for-use-across-the-fleet/
- NIWC Atlantic Launches Employee-Led Innovation Program, https://www.dvidshub.net/news/384599/niwc-atlantic-launches-employee-led-innovation-program
- NIWC Atlantic Creates Technical Videos for Fleet Sailors, https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=111857
- NIWC Atlantic Opens Maritime Positioning, Navigation and Timing Laboratory, https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=108944
- NIWC Atlantic Fosters Learning Through STEM Camps, https://www.doncio.navy.mil/chips/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=12684
- Defense Visual Information Distribution Service profile, https://www.dvidshub.net/portfolio/1182555/gerard-sekerak
References
- Xavier Calderon, NIWC Atlantic, Corporate Operations Manager, 757-443-0107; 757-619-7768, Xavier.c.calderon.civ@us.navy.mil
- Michaela Judge, NIWC Atlantic, Director of Corporate Communications, 843-494-7467, Carmen.m.judge.civ@us.navy.mil
- Dave Werner (Capt. USN Ret.), U.S. Navy - Chief of Information, Asst. Chief of Information for Requirements, Policy and Professional Development at U.S. Navy, 703-692-4728, David.e.Werner2.civ@us.navy.mil
- Tom Kreidel, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP), Director of Corporate Communications, 757-341-1410, thomas.a.kreidel.civ@us.navy.mil
- Tony Sanchez, Veterans Affairs, DoD Security, 757-287-7393, mactonyjsanchez@yahoo.com
Job Related Training
- 07/22/24, Defense Information School (DNIFOS) 60th Anniversary Alumni Training, Fort Meade, MD
- 06/16/22, PRSA Corporate Communications Connect Conference, Nashville, TN
- 05/09/22, Unconscious Bias Course, Udemy online
- 07/01/20, Communicating Across Generations, Dale Carnegie online
- 05/01/19, LEAD Hampton Roads Signature Course graduate, Norfolk, VA
- 04/01/14, DON CIO Command Knowledge Management Course, Norfolk, VA
- 03/01/14, Naval Post Graduate School - Strategic Communications Workshop, Norfolk, VA
- 06/01/10, Public Affairs Qualifications Course, Defense Information School, Ft. Meade, MD
- 05/01/06, Armed Forces Radio & Television Service Worldwide Workshop, Riverside, CA
- 03/01/03, Senior Enlisted Public Affairs Workshop, DINFOS, Ft. Meade, MD
- 02/01/00, Editors Course, Defense Information School DINFOS, Ft. Meade, MD
- 06/01/98, Dan O’ Day Radio Personality Workshop, Vicenza, Italy
- 04/01/96, Advanced Electronic Journalism Course, DINFOS, Ft. Meade, MD
- 03/01/96, National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Workshop, Norman, OK
- 10/01/95, Broadcast Station Manager and Instructor courses, DINFOS, Ft. Meade, MD
- 04/01/91, NPPA Electronic News Gathering workshop, Frankfurt, Germany
- 03/01/90, Basic Journalist Course, DINFOS, Ft. Harrison, IN
Timeline
Administrative Specialist (Public Affairs)
Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic
11.2012 - Current
Public Affairs Officer
USS Wasp (LHD 1)
05.2010 - 10.2012
Officer in Charge
American Forces Network
02.2006 - 05.2010
Public Affairs Specialist
Commander, Second Fleet
05.2003 - 02.2006
Broadcast Journalist / Public Affairs Specialist
Navy Region Hawaii
01.2000 - 05.2003
Broadcast Journalist
American Forces Network
11.1996 - 12.1999
TV Broadcast Instructor
Defense Information School
08.1993 - 11.1996
Broadcast Journalist
Southern European Broadcast Det.
08.1990 - 08.1993
Bachelor's degree - Communications
City University of Seattle
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