Molly Best Thorp
Tallahassee,Florida
Summary
Senior communications professional with more than 20 years of experience across state government, law enforcement, and public safety agencies. Proven record of shaping high-impact messaging, managing crisis communications, and advising executive leadership in complex, high-visibility environments.
Trusted expertise in media relations, public affairs, crisis response, and reputation management. Known for translating policy into compelling narratives that build trust, drive public understanding, and withstand national scrutiny.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Press Secretary
Executive Office of the Governor State of Florida
09.2025 - Current
- Lead statewide communications strategy to advance the Governor’s policy priorities, legislative initiatives, and public engagement efforts.
- Disseminate press releases and official statements to ensure accurate, timely, and effective communication with media and the public.
- Manage media relations by coordinating press conferences, responding to inquiries, and cultivating strong relationships with local, state, and national journalists.
- Execute strategic communication plans to amplify key initiatives and strengthen public understanding and support of the Governor’s agenda.
- Monitor and analyze news coverage, public sentiment, and emerging issues; provide real-time insights and strategic recommendations to the Governor and senior staff.
- Collaborate with cabinet agencies and external stakeholders to ensure message alignment and consistent statewide communications.
- Lead crisis communications during emergency situations, rapidly addressing media concerns while safeguarding the Governor’s credibility and public confidence.
- Train and advise staff on communications best practices, message discipline, and media engagement to maintain a unified communications operation.
Deputy Press Secretary
Executive Office of the Governor
02.2025 - 09.2025
- Serve as a senior communications advisor supporting the Governor and executive leadership.
- Act as a primary point of contact for state, national, and digital media outlets.
- Craft strategic messaging aligned with gubernatorial priorities, legislative initiatives, and statewide policy objectives.
- Coordinate press events, interviews, and media appearances for the Governor and senior officials.
- Monitor media coverage and public sentiment to provide real-time analysis and reputational guidance.
- Collaborate with cabinet agencies to ensure consistent, disciplined messaging across state government.
Director of Communications
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES/FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
02.2023 - 02.2025
- Led statewide communications strategy for one of Florida’s largest public safety agencies.
- Served as chief spokesperson on transportation safety, enforcement operations, and emergency response.
- Directed a multidisciplinary communications team overseeing media relations, digital content, and public campaigns.
- Partnered with the Governor’s Office and agency leadership on high-profile initiatives and crisis communications.
- Delivered statewide public safety campaigns focused on roadway safety and public awareness.
Deputy Communications Director
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
04.2021 - 02.2023
- Managed communications operations for Florida’s largest state agency, overseeing media relations, messaging, and executive communications.
- Led crisis communications and rapid response during high-profile incidents and legislative activity.
- Supervised communications staff and coordinated messaging across institutions statewide.
Deputy Communications Director
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE
10.2018 - 04.2021
- Directed public communications strategy supporting juvenile justice reform and community engagement.
- Drafted executive speeches, talking points, and media materials.
- Coordinated press conferences and maintained strong relationships with state and local media.
Public Information Officer
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
05.2013 - 10.2018
- Served as chief spokesperson for statewide law enforcement operations.
- Managed crisis communications, major investigations, and public information campaigns.
- Oversaw digital content, video projects, and agency-wide messaging.
Regional Training Manager Government Analyst II
Florida Department Of Law Enforcement
- Reviewed and updated CJIS manuals, created training curricula for both CJNET and classroom instruction, and presented training materials at the CJIS Symposium.
- Coordinated the CJIS Annual Training Symposium, including speaker arrangements and session topics, while authoring memos and summary articles for distribution to local agencies.
Criminal Justice Information Systems Compliance Auditor
Florida Department Of Law Enforcement
- Conducted audits on criminal justice, non-criminal justice, VECHS entities, utilizing both on-site and correspondence methods.
- Trained new Operations Review Specialists (ORS) on audit scheduling, planning, and completion, along with providing verbal and written out-briefing reports to agency heads post-audit.
Communications Supervisor
TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT
04.2010 - 05.2013
- Supervised staff of 14 dispatchers, including scheduling coverage for a rotating swing shift, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
- Scheduled, created, coordinated and tracked continuing education hours for each employee are tracked and met to maintain certification for Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification, State TDD requirements and Department of Health (DOH) Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) certification.
- Developed the first Public Safety Telecommunicator Curriculum that was approved by the Florida Department of Health.
Education
High School Diploma -
HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
TAMPA, FL05.1999
Skills
- Executive & Crisis Communications
- Strategic Messaging & Narrative Development
- Public Affairs & Government Relations
- Media Relations & Press Operations
- Executive Briefings
- Stakeholder & Interagency Coordination
- Public Safety & Law Enforcement Communications,
- Team Leadership
- Organizational Strategy
- On Record Experience
- Experienced Spokeperson
Accomplishments
-Press Secretary for Governor Ron DeSantis
- 2023, 2024 Champion of America’s Best Looking Cruiser Competition (Campaign)
- Winner of five 2023 AAMVA Communications Awards for persuasive writing, publications, social media, special events, and community support
- Recipient of two 2024 AAMVA Communications Awards
Timeline
Press Secretary
Executive Office of the Governor State of Florida
09.2025 - Current
Deputy Press Secretary
Executive Office of the Governor
02.2025 - 09.2025
Director of Communications
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES/FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
02.2023 - 02.2025
Deputy Communications Director
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
04.2021 - 02.2023
Deputy Communications Director
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE
10.2018 - 04.2021
Public Information Officer
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
05.2013 - 10.2018
Communications Supervisor
TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT
04.2010 - 05.2013
Regional Training Manager Government Analyst II
Florida Department Of Law Enforcement
Criminal Justice Information Systems Compliance Auditor
Florida Department Of Law Enforcement
High School Diploma -
HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL