Patricia (Patti) Aaron
Santa Rosa,CA
Summary
Public Service professional with 20+ years of experience in water, power, and climate-related communications and administration. Accomplished in affecting dramatic improvements to the public image of [Type] businesses by applying hardworking and analytical approach to media relations and communications planning. Excellent conflict management, decision making and problem-solving abilities. Articulate and well-spoken Head of Public Relations with specialized experience in crisis communications. Effectively developing strategic communications campaigns under pressure and in fast-paced settings. Strong leadership, mentoring and coaching skills. Strategic [Job Title] offering proven leadership in creating comprehensive public relations and communications strategies to advance company's vision and goals. Adept in all aspects of public relations, including media relations, internal communications, event planning and community programming.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Public Affairs Officer (GS-14)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Boulder City
03.2018 - 06.2022
- Served as the Public Affairs Officer overseeing all communications for the Region, which encompasses Arizona, Southern California, and Southern Nevada
- Legislative Liaison for the Region
- Tracked, analyzed, and advised on pertinent legislation
- Planned, designed, developed, and communicated Reclamation's programs (including grants), policies, and activities to inform Reclamation's diverse publics
- Established and maintained effective collaborative working relationships with international, national, regional, and local media; legislators; stakeholders; tribes; specialized groups, such as nongovernmental conservation groups; international, federal, state, and non-federal organizations; and other Bureau of Reclamation and Department of the Interior offices
- Served as a communications expert regarding climate change in the Southwest, particularly the Colorado River Basin and Lake Mead
- Developed and tracked program budgets
- Provided expertise to national and regional leadership on matters of a highly controversial, confidential, complex, and/or sensitive nature
- Wrote, edited, and presented speeches, reports, proposals, news releases and advisories, memorandums, letters, brochures, and other communication materials
- Meeting facilitation and event planning.
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Deputy Chief) (GS-13/14)
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
Washington, DC
02.2015 - 03.2018
- Assisted Chief in supervision, oversight, and coordination of the Public Affairs Group policies, functions, and budgets
- Provided expert counsel to Department and Reclamation leadership on matters of a highly controversial, confidential, and/or sensitive nature which may have international, national, regional, and/or local impacts
- Informed top officials on the views, reactions, achievements, and criticisms of stakeholders and the public
- Established and maintained effective collaborative working relationships with international, national, regional, and local media; stakeholders; tribes; specialized groups, such as non-governmental conservation groups; international, federal, and non-federal organizations; legislative offices, and other Reclamation and Department offices
- Coordinated with the Department and Reclamation's legislative teams
- Developed products and activities to communicate to Reclamation's diverse publics, taking into account the varied levels of understanding and comprehension of programs and policies and the likelihood of opposition, indifference, or acceptance of the objectives of these major programs, especially those of a highly controversial, confidential, and/or sensitive nature for Reclamation, the Department, and/or the White House
- Responsible for all aspects of Human Resources and Equal Employment Opportunity processes, setting work priorities for staff, establishing and enforcing schedules, evaluating performance, providing advice and instruction on technical and administrative matters, and mentoring.
Public Affairs Specialist (Partnerships Coordinator) (GS-13)
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
Washington, DC
06.2012 - 02.2015
- Established and maintained effective collaborative working relationships with international, national, regional, and local agencies; legislative offices; media; stakeholders; tribes; specialized groups, such as non-governmental conservation groups; international, federal, and non-federal organizations; business, industry, civic, education, and other specialized organizations' representatives interested in Reclamation programs and issues.
Special Assistant (GS-13, 120-day detail)
MID-PACIFIC REGION (now known as the California-Great Basin Region)
Bay Delta Office, Sacramento, CA
12.2012 - 04.2013
- Advised, consulted, and coordinated on policy, technical, strategy, and program matters related to the Region
- Represented the Regional Director
- Built and maintained professional relationships
- Evaluated proposed and existing legislation, executive orders, Secretary-issued documents, regulations, policies, directives and standards, and reports
- Recommended and prepared summary background materials on issues, positions of other agencies and interest groups, and factors
- Prepared briefing and response materials
- Drafted, reviewed, and commented on Congressional testimony for use by Department witnesses
- Coordinated a multi-disciplinary team on environmental documents for the Central Valley Project operations and litigation
- Meeting facilitation and event planning.
Special Assistant to the Commissioner/Liaison to Assistant Secretary for Water and Science (GS-14 temporary, 2-year detail)
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
Washington, DC
05.2010 - 06.2012
- Provided expertise, advice, and special projects support on a wide array of issues and projects, including controversial and sensitive water and other environmental resources policies and programs
- Maintained awareness of relevant litigation, laws, court decisions, and tribal and national issues
- Built and maintained professional relationships using tactful communication techniques to successfully negotiate controversial and delicate topics with top federal officials, Congressional representatives and staff, state and local governments, stakeholders, special interest groups, and the public
- Reviewed and commented on Congressional testimony for use by Department witnesses; attended Congressional hearings and served in a supporting role, as needed
- Reviewed, analyzed, recommended, and prepared concise summary materials, background and positions of other agencies and interest groups, research documents, briefing papers, position statements, and verbal reports for leadership, and external and internal parties
- Provided recommendations on strategies and courses of action
- Ensured quality deliverables
- Served on committees and interagency teams dealing with various policy, natural resources, scientific, and technical issues
- Reviewed and commented on documents created to comply with environmental and cultural requirements, such as the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
- Reviewed and commented on news releases, articles, speeches, publications, reports, and other products.
Regional Liaison Officer (GS-14 temporary, 2-year detail)
MID-PACIFIC REGION (now known as the California-Great Basin Region)
Commissioner's Office, Washington, DC
04.2008 - 05.2010
- Advised, consulted, and coordinated on policy, technical, strategy, and program matters related to the Region
- Represented the Regional Director
- Built and maintained professional relationships
- Evaluated proposed and existing legislation, executive orders, Secretary-issued documents, regulations, policies, directives and standards, and reports
- Recommended and prepared summary background materials on issues, positions of other agencies and interest groups, and factors
- Prepared briefing and response materials
- Drafted, reviewed, and commented on Congressional testimony for use by Department witnesses
- Coordinated a multi-disciplinary team on environmental documents for the Central Valley Project operations and litigation
- Meeting facilitation and event planning.
Special Assistant to the Regional Director (GS-13)
MID-PACIFIC REGION (now known as the California-Great Basin Region)
Regional Director's Office, Sacramento, CA
07.2007 - 04.2008
- Advised, consulted, and coordinated on policy, technical, strategy, and program matters related to the Region
- Represented the Regional Director
- Built and maintained professional relationships
- Evaluated proposed and existing legislation, executive orders, Secretary-issued documents, regulations, policies, directives and standards, and reports
- Recommended and prepared summary background materials on issues, positions of other agencies and interest groups, and factors
- Prepared briefing and response materials
- Drafted, reviewed, and commented on Congressional testimony for use by Department witnesses
- Coordinated a multi-disciplinary team on environmental documents for the Central Valley Project operations and litigation
- Meeting facilitation and event planning.
General Biologist (GS-12), Environmental Specialist - Biology (GS-11), Environmental Protection Specialist (GS-7/9), Environmental Assistant (GS-4 (student, 20-40 hours/week), GS-5)
LOWER COLORADO REGION (now known as the Lower Colorado Basin Region)
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Office, Boulder City, NV
04.2001 - 07.2007
- Project lead and staff member for program development, implementation, and administration of the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program - a 50-year, 56-stakeholder, multi-state natural resources conservation program
- Developed federal and non-federal partnerships with international agencies; partner agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S
- Army Corps of Engineers; stakeholder groups; landowners; land managers; federal, state, tribal, and local governments and entities; conservation organizations in the United States and Mexico; and regulatory agencies, such as the U.S
- Fish and Wildlife Service
- Secured long-term land and water interests; developed and implemented natural resources initiatives; developed robust implementation strategies and budgets for Endangered Species Act conservation measures and mitigation; special projects; negotiated land and water contracts with partners and contractors
- Lead Project Manager for immediate and long-term planning, development, creation, restoration, enhancement, and adaptive management of large-scale native habitats to ensure a robust, long-term adaptive management strategy
- Developed and tracked detailed budgets
- Contract administration
- Oversaw the collection and management of complex data for adaptive management application
- Involved in various aspects of major and complex environmental and cultural resources compliance (i.e., Endangered Species Act, California Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and California Environmental Quality Act documents and public meetings) regarding the maintenance, restoration, and development of habitat for endangered, threatened, and state-listed species
- Developed and delivered trainings, presentations, and tours for internal and external audiences
- Collaborated on all aspects of public outreach
- Field Work: Site assessment, soils nutrition, water quality monitoring, vegetation surveys, small mammal surveys, and avian surveys.
Boulder City Wetlands Project Manager
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA - LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, NV
11.1999 - 05.2001
- Project Lead on water quality monitoring study and outreach programs through a Bureau of Reclamation-funded grant; conducted complex data collection, control, and management; database development, management, analysis, and interpretation; produced quarterly and annual technical reports; developed and implemented environmental education programs for all ages; developed comprehensive Environmental Educator program and training manual.
Soil Scientist Assistant (Volunteer Internship)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
Las Vegas, NV
11.1999 - 05.2001
- Assisted soil scientists in a variety of tasks in the field and the office
- Soil and plant sampling and data collection
- Conducted lab analysis.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Communication -
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
01.2001
Skills
- Governmental and legislative relations
- Media relations
- Grant and contract administration
- Project management
- Microsoft Office
- Speech Writing
- Media Relations
- Web Content Management
- Strategic Communications
- Internal Communications
- Press Release Writing
- Government Relations
- Photography
- Communications Strategy
- Social Media Proficiency
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Crisis Response
- Social Media Expertise
- Negotiation
- Community Relations
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Communications Strategies
- Communications Management
- Social Media Planning
- Scheduling
- Information Gathering
References
- Mike Brown, chevyshack@sbcglobal.net, 707-318-3701
- Dan DuBray, DuBray@msn.com, 571-277-1197
- Laura Vecerina, LAHerbranson, 702-526-4939
Timeline
Regional Public Affairs Officer (GS-14)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
03.2018 - 06.2022
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Deputy Chief) (GS-13/14)
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
02.2015 - 03.2018
Special Assistant (GS-13, 120-day detail)
MID-PACIFIC REGION (now known as the California-Great Basin Region)
12.2012 - 04.2013
Public Affairs Specialist (Partnerships Coordinator) (GS-13)
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
06.2012 - 02.2015
Special Assistant to the Commissioner/Liaison to Assistant Secretary for Water and Science (GS-14 temporary, 2-year detail)
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
05.2010 - 06.2012
Regional Liaison Officer (GS-14 temporary, 2-year detail)
MID-PACIFIC REGION (now known as the California-Great Basin Region)
04.2008 - 05.2010
Special Assistant to the Regional Director (GS-13)
MID-PACIFIC REGION (now known as the California-Great Basin Region)
07.2007 - 04.2008
General Biologist (GS-12), Environmental Specialist - Biology (GS-11), Environmental Protection Specialist (GS-7/9), Environmental Assistant (GS-4 (student, 20-40 hours/week), GS-5)
LOWER COLORADO REGION (now known as the Lower Colorado Basin Region)
04.2001 - 07.2007
Boulder City Wetlands Project Manager
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA - LAS VEGAS
11.1999 - 05.2001
Soil Scientist Assistant (Volunteer Internship)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
11.1999 - 05.2001
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Communication -
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
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