Karlyn Tilley
Superior,CO
Summary
Accomplished, creative, and outgoing Communications, Community Engagement, and Media Relations leader with more than 25 years of proven success in multi-platform media, key messaging, strategic planning, public engagement, and crisis management.
An expert in writing, storytelling, and problem-solving with a proven history of managing teams who are dedicated to the mission and values of the organization. A self-starter and hands-on leader, who believes in empowering employees to be thoughtful, creative, visionary, and passionate about their work. As a strategic member of executive leadership teams, helped to manage issues, look for solutions, and write policies integral to elevating internal and external communications.
A former journalist turned media and community relations specialist who finds a way to connect with everyone in and out of the organization; taking complex ideas and translating them into language that is easily understood by the public. A creative thinker, with compassion and flexibility to allow for meaningful encounters that lead to mutually rewarding relationships, unforgettable stories, and exceptional results.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Public Information Officer
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
02.2021 - Current
- Provide strategic counsel, key messaging, and talking points to executive or senior management on publicly handling critical, sensitive, political, or controversial issues.
- Train and empower staff who are subject matter experts to speak to media.
- Cultivate relationships with local, national, and international press outlets through proven transparency and trust.
- Manage routine and crisis communications with media and members of public.
- Create informative press releases, public awareness campaigns, and marketing that garner positive media attention, with either proactive materials or reactive responses to issues.
- Manage crisis communications during emergencies, ensuring accurate and timely information dissemination.
- Coordinate press conferences and media events, maximizing organizational exposure in news cycles and on social media.
- Develop compelling content for social media channels, driving increased engagement from followers.
- Manage websites and social media accounts applying communication strategies and branding to maintain consistent voice and presence.
- Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.
- Helped with photo and video production and performed visual and sound editing tasks.
- Executed social media plans to create cohesive online presence.
- Forged strong media relationships to further public relations goals.
- Developed brand media relations strategies that bolstered community awareness and knowledge.
- Produced and distributed brochures, newsletters and press kits.
- Cultivated strong relationships with media representatives to secure widespread coverage and feature stories.
- Prepared or edited organizational publications such as employee newsletters or stockholder reports for internal or external audiences.
- Streamlined workflows for communication projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
- Collaborated with internal departments to create consistent messaging across all platforms.
Communications & Community Relations Manager
City Of Golden, Golden Police, Golden Fire
09.2009 - 02.2021
- Developed a strategic communications plan, a community engagement plan, and a crisis communications plan
- Provided media and community engagement training for local, state, national, and international organizations
- Created and implemented media campaigns for organizational initiatives
- Managed websites and social media accounts for all three agencies
- Responsible for crisis communications with effective, timely, and trusted information
- Media representative for city, fire, and police departments
- Editor-in-Chief of 20-page monthly newsletter for the public
- Lead communications department including graphic design, web content, special events, and video production
Reporter/Anchor
KCNC-TV, CBS 4 NEWS
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Award winning journalist with 10 years of experience in Denver and 15 years overall experience in broadcast news
- Worked effectively under extreme deadlines and time/space limits
- Wrote and delivered accurate, unbiased, and factual news
- Turned complicated information into engaging and easily understood stories
- Live, on-air delivery of full newscasts and on-scene reporting
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to produce well-rounded and comprehensive news coverage.
- Participated in or emceed community events as television station representative, fostering positive relationships between news outlets and its audience members.
Anchor/Reporter
KMGH-TV, ABC Affiliate
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Adapted to breaking news situations, providing timely coverage and updates for viewers.
- Drafted news headlines for broadcasting to capture listeners with clear and condensed writing.
- Conducted live and taped interviews to obtain information.
- Creative and compelling story-telling
Anchor/Reporter
KFOX-TV, FOX Affiliate
10.1997 - 01.2000
- Anchor of weekend evening newscasts
- Deployed to news events locales to provide on-the-ground broadcast solutions and news coverage.
- Planned and conducted research and pitched long-form stories to promote investigative news topics.
Anchor/Reporter
KBCI-TV, CBS Affiliate
09.1996 - 10.1997
Anchor/Reporter/Producer
KOMU-TV, NBC Affiliate
01.1993 - 08.1996
Education
Bachelor of Broadcast Journalism -
University of Missouri At Columbia
Columbia05.1996
Skills
- Public information
- Message interpretation
- Local, national and international media partnerships
- Comfortable in front of cameras and audiences
- Website and social media expertise
- Accomplished writer
- Empowering leader and trainer
- Event planning and implementation
- VIdeo editing and production
Organizations Affiliations
- Member, International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
- Volunteer, 100+ Women Who Care - Boulder County
- Former President and current member, Emergency Services Public Information Officers of Colorado (ESPIOC)
- Member, National Information Officers Association (NIOA)
- Volunteer, Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation
- Type 3 PIO for Jefferson County Incident Management Team
- Emcee of various private, public, and charity events
Awards Recognition
- 2023 JCSO Professional Conduct Award
- 2022 JCSO Professional Conduct Award
- 2016 ESPIOC PIO of the Year
- 2014 ESPIOC PIO of the Year
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Public Information Officer
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
02.2021 - Current
Communications & Community Relations Manager
City Of Golden, Golden Police, Golden Fire
09.2009 - 02.2021
Reporter/Anchor
KCNC-TV, CBS 4 NEWS
01.2004 - 01.2009
Anchor/Reporter
KMGH-TV, ABC Affiliate
01.2000 - 01.2004
Anchor/Reporter
KFOX-TV, FOX Affiliate
10.1997 - 01.2000
Anchor/Reporter
KBCI-TV, CBS Affiliate
09.1996 - 10.1997
Anchor/Reporter/Producer
KOMU-TV, NBC Affiliate
01.1993 - 08.1996
Bachelor of Broadcast Journalism -
University of Missouri At Columbia
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