JEFFREY J. CALDWELL
SOUTH CHESTERFIELD,VA
Summary
Communications executive with over 25 years of experience in journalism, corporate and government communications, marketing, policy development, crisis communications, leading teams, issues management, and public relations. Demonstrated passion and leadership in developing impactful strategic communications plans, providing counsel to senior executives. Skilled in creating compelling social media programs and websites while leading proactive media relations to enhance reputations and protect brands. Extensive relationships with local, state, and national media as well as a vast network of government and industry contacts.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Public Information Officer
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
Mechanicsville, VA
09.2023 - 06.2024
- Oversaw public relations, crisis communications and media relations
- Developed communications plans for emergency and planned situations
- Advised senior leadership regarding controversial public relations, media relations, crisis, and issues management
Associate Vice President of Communications and PR
HCA Healthcare Capital Division
Richmond, VA
03.2020 - 09.2023
- Oversaw public relations, crisis communications, internal communications and media relations
- Developed communications plans for emergency and planned situations
- Advised senior leadership regarding controversial, public relations, media relations, crisis and issues management
- Led local, state, and national media for 18 hospitals in 3 states
Director of External Affairs
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Chesterfield, VA
02.2017 - 03.2020
- Directed public relations, policy and marketing for state agency including elected officials outreach, marketing, social media, crisis communications, website and media relations
- Served as primary media spokesperson for routine and emergency communications
- Manage staff of 5 public relations, marketing, policy and legislative affairs specialists
- Developed and executed award-winning coastal Virginia hurricane preparedness and evacuation plan, including $500,000 advertising/social media/outreach campaign across 23 localities
- Coordinated agency messaging with Governor's office, drafted Governor's talking points and routine and crisis press announcements
Realtor/Sales Agent
Harris and Associates Realty
Chester, VA
03.2016 - 03.2020
- Provided guidance and support throughout the entire purchasing process from initial search through closing
- Maintained current knowledge of laws governing real estate transactions in order comply with regulations
Adjunct Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Developed and implemented course syllabi, lesson plans, and assessments
- Evaluated student performance using appropriate assessment techniques and provided timely feedback
- Developed relationships with local businesses and organizations that offer experiential learning opportunities for students
- Utilized a variety of instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs
Communications Manager
Altria Client Services
Richmond, VA
06.2013 - 03.2016
- Served as primary media spokesperson with local, state and national media
- Provided strategic communications counsel to leadership and staff of Fortune 200 company with more than 9,000 employees
- Wrote press releases, speeches, talking points, and background materials
- Managed internal and external communications plans
- Contributed to social media, marketing and issues-management communications.
Press Secretary
Office of Governor Bob McDonnell
Richmond, VA
01.2011 - 06.2013
- Served as primary media spokesperson for Governor Bob McDonnell and cabinet with local, state and national media
- Provided strategic communications counsel to Governor, cabinet members, and Virginia state agency staff
- Wrote press releases, speeches, talking points, and background materials
- Responded to requests for information from media or supported appropriate spokesperson.
Chief of Communications
Virginia Department Of Transportation
Richmond, VA
02.2006 - 01.2011
- Directed strategic communications planning and execution to enhance agency's image and statewide communications initiatives with internal and external audiences
- Managed $4 million communications budget and staff of up to 30; including graphics, photography, cartography, map and information center, video and Web
- Developed and executed internal and external statewide communications plans and initiatives to support agency strategic objectives and major construction projects
- Coordinated agency messaging with Governor's office
- Managed communications research projects, statewide customer satisfaction research efforts, agency social media strategy and advertising/PR agency contracts
- Served as officer on AASHTO Subcommittee on Public Affairs leadership committee
Director of Public Relations
Virginia Department Of Health
Richmond, VA
04.2005 - 02.2006
- Developed strategic public relations program to enhance agency's image
- Served as primary media spokesperson for statewide media issues
- Managed staff of 10
- Wrote, edited and approved all written, verbal, Web, and broadcast communications released by agency on statewide basis
- Served as communications advisor to senior staff
- Coordinated agency messaging with Governor's office
- Managed multi-million dollar federal emergency preparedness and response communications grant.
District Public Relations Manager
Virginia Department Of Transportation
Colonial Heights, VA
10.2000 - 04.2005
- Served as primary media spokesperson for planned and crisis communications
- Developed communications plans for two districts covering eastern third of Virginia
- Managed public relations staff of 5
- Wrote, edited and managed all written, verbal, Web and broadcast communications released by agency in region
- Managed internal communications program
- Taught media training
Editor
Circuit City Stores, Inc
Richmond, VA
06.1999 - 10.2000
- Oversaw content, design, and production of five Merchandise News magazines, special print projects, and intranet
- Coordinated brainstorming, assignments, and editing for 50+ writers
Staff Writer
Richmond Magazine
Richmond, VA
01.1998 - 06.1999
- Wrote award-winning feature stories for monthly city magazine
- Edited, proofread, and fact-checked submissions from other writers
Education
M.L.A - Communications, Journalism, Public Policy
University of Richmond
Richmond, VA01.2017
B.A - English
University of Richmond
Richmond, VA01.1998
Skills
- Public speaking
- Media relations
- Crisis communications
- Policy and procedure development
- Relationship building and retention
- Executive coaching
- Targeted marketing
- Data-driven decision making
- Presentations
- Coaching, mentoring and team building
- Storytelling
- Press release writing
- Community engagement
- Budget/contract management
Awards
- Public Relations Society of America Award of Merit, 2018 for Know Your Zone hurricane evacuation communications program
- Won four American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials National Transportation Public Affairs Awards
- August 2008 VDOT 2005 Commissioner's Award for Excellence, Barrett's Ferry Bridge Project
- VDOT 2003 Commissioner's Award for Excellence for Outstanding Leadership
- VDOT 2002 Commissioner's Award for Excellence, I-95 James River Bridge Project
- 1999 Virginia Press Association First-Place Award for Feature Writing
- 1999 Virginia Press Association Second-Place Award for In-Depth or Investigative Reporting
Timeline
Senior Public Information Officer
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
09.2023 - 06.2024
Associate Vice President of Communications and PR
HCA Healthcare Capital Division
03.2020 - 09.2023
Director of External Affairs
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
02.2017 - 03.2020
Adjunct Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University
08.2016 - 05.2018
Realtor/Sales Agent
Harris and Associates Realty
03.2016 - 03.2020
Communications Manager
Altria Client Services
06.2013 - 03.2016
Press Secretary
Office of Governor Bob McDonnell
01.2011 - 06.2013
Chief of Communications
Virginia Department Of Transportation
02.2006 - 01.2011
Director of Public Relations
Virginia Department Of Health
04.2005 - 02.2006
District Public Relations Manager
Virginia Department Of Transportation
10.2000 - 04.2005
Editor
Circuit City Stores, Inc
06.1999 - 10.2000
Staff Writer
Richmond Magazine
01.1998 - 06.1999
M.L.A - Communications, Journalism, Public Policy
University of Richmond
B.A - English
University of Richmond
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