Scott Kelley
Sparks,NV
Summary
Award-winning communications and marketing expert with 20+ years of experience. Proven success in developing and implementing multi-layered state and national campaigns in the defense, education, energy, and healthcare sectors. Strong storyteller who has created mission-aligned cross channel content for businesses, non-profits, and governments. Natural leader who was promoted quickly during U.S. military service and is adept at leading teams to achieve measurable and programmatic goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Policy Analyst and Strategic Communications
Synergy Enterprises
08.2021 - 07.2025
- Served as the primary point of contact and strategic client advisor for a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration media campaign.
- Project manager who worked with local and state governments, medical centers, school districts, and native tribes in the U.S. and its overseas territories.
- Collaborated with graphics teams to create promotional materials including billboards, brochures, and PSAs that broadcast impactful messaging to millions of people.
- Produced high-impact digital newsletters in HubSpot and MailChimp that were delivered to thousands of professionals via national listserv.
- Led writing and production of web content including email campaigns, podcast scripts, and web pages.
- Developed professional presentations that employed animation, graphics, and other marketing assets.
- Led quarterly webinars that provided news, services, and training to existing clients.
Public Information Officer II
Nevada Department of Corrections
05.2019 - 07.2021
- Executed data-driven strategies that aligned with priorities established by Nevada’s Governor.
- Served as department’s primary spokesperson during inmate deaths, escapes, and riots.
- Informed and inspired Nevada’s largest public department through layered internal marketing strategies.
- Ensure leadership messaging and directives reached 2,600 staff located at 23 sites throughout the state.
- Created executive messaging and strategic content for leadership and Nevada’s governor.
- Oversaw department’s social media and website and posted daily news and leadership missives.
- Built relationships with media outlets and key stakeholders that enhanced department’s profile.
Director of Public Affairs
Nevada Rural Housing Authority
02.2018 - 01.2019
- Planned and implemented marketing campaigns to inform key audiences.
- Conducted research on housing markets to support messaging and campaign development.
- Built relationships with media outlets and key stakeholders including the construction and real estate industries that enhanced department’s public profile.
- Generated attractive marketing collateral for display at housing summits and other events.
Public Information Officer II
Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy
12.2013 - 02.2018
- Positioned Nevada as a national leader in energy conservation and renewable energy production by executing integrated public relations programs and marketing communications.
- Promoted initiatives to target audiences including rural communities, industry executives, and the media.
- Created messaging for Nevada’s governor that was delivered at ribbon cutting ceremonies and bi-annual State of the State addresses to the Nevada legislature.
- Program manager for Nevada’s Solar Determinations Program which determined if HOAs were unfairly restricting homeowners’ ability to place solar panels on their properties.
Marketing Specialist II
Resources Action Programs
09.2012 - 11.2013
- Worked closely with internal leaders to create sales and marketing pitches that drove company sales and aligned with the company's goals and objectives.
- Designed marketing for energy efficiency kits that were delivered to 300,000 students nationwide.
- Wrote web content including landing pages and product pages for major energy providers.
- Reviewed products and alerted managers of shortcomings that led to manufacturing corrections.
- Crafted technically detailed guides for 35 energy and water efficiency products.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NVSkills
- Project / Program Management: Mondaycom, SharePoint, Google Drive, HubSpot, MailChimp
- Content / Communications: AI, Adobe, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Prezi
- Social Media / Web Management: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, WordPress
Accomplishments
· Served as a U.S. Army paratrooper and public affairs officer and participated in the Kosovo War, War on Terrorism, and peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Haiti.
· Won Department of Defense awards for outstanding journalism writing with European Stars and Stripes, Soldiers Magazine, and large circulation base newspapers.
· Provided commanders at the battalion and brigade-level with guidance on media and public affairs.
· Led crisis media response during international events including rapid deployment into war torn countries.
· Earned awards for exemplary serving during humanitarian, peacekeeping, and combat missions.
Timeline
Policy Analyst and Strategic Communications
Synergy Enterprises
08.2021 - 07.2025
Public Information Officer II
Nevada Department of Corrections
05.2019 - 07.2021
Director of Public Affairs
Nevada Rural Housing Authority
02.2018 - 01.2019
Public Information Officer II
Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy
12.2013 - 02.2018
Marketing Specialist II
Resources Action Programs
09.2012 - 11.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Nevada, Reno
Areas of Expertise
B2B | Content Development | Creative Writing | Crisis Communications | External Communications | Executive Leadership | Government Relations | Internal Communications | Journalism | Lobbying | Marketing | Media Relations | National Outreach | Policymaking | Political Campaigns | Program Management | Public Relations | Sales | Search Engine Optimization | Social Media | Trade Shows
Military Service
Served as a U.S. Army paratrooper and public affairs officer during the War on Terrorism, peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Haiti, and the Kosovo War. Disseminated information during Operation Rapid Guardian in Kosovo that helped diffuse an international crisis and save lives. Won Department of Defense awards for outstanding journalism. Provided brigade commanders guidance on media and public relations. Decorated for exemplary serving during humanitarian, peacekeeping, and combat missions.
Community Service
Twice-elected school board trustee at a large urban school district. Served on an executive leadership team that oversaw a $1 billion budget and set policies for 8,000 employees who educated 68,000 students at 107 schools.
Awards
Decorated combat veteran. Winner of 2023 and 2024 Platinum-level MarCom Awards, dotcom Awards, and Hermes Awards for communications and marketing excellence.