Ruffin 'Chip' Brown
Baltimore
Summary
Dynamic communications leader with extensive experience at the Maryland Department of Service & Civic Innovation, excelling in strategic communications and crisis management. Proven track record in elevating agency visibility and stakeholder engagement through innovative media relations and executive messaging. Adept at managing cross-agency coordination and developing impactful digital strategies.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Communications
Maryland Department of Service & Civic Innovation (DSCI)
Annapolis
02.2023 - 03.2025
- Led all agency-wide communications, public affairs, and media strategy in support of statewide postsecondary and workforce initiatives, ensuring message alignment with the Governor’s Office, GLO, and sister agencies.
- Served as the department’s primary communications advisor, drafting speeches, briefings, testimony, talking points, and press releases for the Secretary and senior leadership.
- Oversaw all digital and public-facing platforms, including website content, newsletters, multimedia materials, and social media strategy, ensuring brand consistency and accessibility.
- Managed media relations by coordinating interviews, responding to press inquiries, preparing statements, and overseeing rapid-response and crisis communications protocols.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategic communications plans to promote program impact, elevate agency visibility, and support legislative and policy priorities.
- Supervised communications staff and contractors, set priorities, and manage timelines to deliver high-quality, timely materials under tight deadlines.
- Strengthen stakeholder engagement by crafting targeted messaging for legislators, higher education leadership, local government partners, and statewide audiences.
Chief, Policy Oversight & Compliance Division
United States Army Medical Command
2018 - 2022
- Directed enterprise-wide policy communications and compliance messaging for a national medical command, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment across multiple subordinate commands, and senior leadership.
- Advised top Army medical officials on policy interpretation, communications impacts, and organizational risk, preparing high-level briefings, decision documents, and messaging frameworks for internal and external stakeholders.
- Roles held: Deputy Director (Reserve Affairs, 2018–2020); Senior Advisor (Reserve Affairs, 2020–2021); Chief, Policy Oversight & Compliance Division (2021–2022).
Medical Policy Staff Writer
Headquarters, Department of the Army
2016 - 2018
- Researched, drafted, and refined high-visibility medical policy documents, executive memoranda, and guidance communications for Army-wide distribution, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with senior leadership priorities.
- Translated complex medical, operational, and regulatory information into clear, actionable messaging for commanders, policymakers, and stakeholders, supporting compliance, readiness, and enterprise communication efforts.
Senior Advisor
Army National Gaurd
2003 - 2016
- Led strategic medical readiness, behavioral health, and policy communication efforts across state and national Army National Guard operations, advising senior commanders, and translating complex operational requirements into clear guidance and executive briefings.
- Directed cross-functional teams and coordinated with federal, state, and military stakeholders to implement enterprise-wide policies, streamline reporting systems, and ensure consistent, accurate dissemination of readiness, medical, and compliance information.
- Roles held: Deputy State Surgeon (MDARNG, 2003–2005); Team Chief, Defense Readiness Reporting (NGB, 2009–2013); Program Coordinator, Behavioral Health (NGB, 2013–2015); Army National Guard Senior Advisor (Regional Health Command Central, 2015–2016).
Senior Fellow
Annie E. Casey Foundation
2007 - 2009
- Supported internal and external communications initiatives by developing clear, mission-aligned materials that strengthened program visibility and stakeholder understanding across national audiences.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to advance organizational priorities, producing executive briefings, project summaries, and messaging tools that enhanced engagement with partners, grantees, and community stakeholders.
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of the Mayor, City of Baltimore
Baltimore
2006 - 2007
- Directed communications operations for the Mayor’s Office, including the development of key messages, press statements, and public briefings on major citywide initiatives.
- Served as a senior advisor on media strategy, rapid response, and public-facing issues, ensuring clear, consistent messaging across departments.
- Coordinated with agency leadership, city stakeholders, and community partners to advance administration priorities, and support high-visibility public events.
- Led inter-departmental projects to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Chief of Staff, Dean's Office
University of Baltimore School of Law
Baltimore
2005 - 2006
- Oversaw administrative operations and internal communications for the Dean’s Office, improving information flow, workflow coordination, and strategic alignment across academic and administrative units.
- Developed briefing materials, policy summaries, and communications for the Dean, supporting stakeholder engagement with faculty, students, university leadership, and external partners.
Assistant Secretary
Maryland Department of General Services
Annapolis
2002 - 2003
- Managed communications and public information efforts for statewide capital projects and operational programs, ensuring transparency and alignment with the Administration's priorities.
- Oversaw a 50-member staff responsible for public affairs, outreach, and program messaging, improving communication flow and stakeholder engagement.
- Led organizational restructuring, informed by best-practice assessments, and internal communications needs.
- Oversaw project timelines, ensuring adherence to schedules and resource allocation.
Director of Public Affairs
Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Maryland
Annapolis
2000 - 2001
- Served as chief spokesperson, overseeing media relations, press strategy, and message development for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
- Drafted speeches, talking points, press releases, and policy announcements for statewide audiences, and legislative partners.
- Coordinated communications across agencies and with the Governor’s Office to ensure unified messaging on key initiatives.
- Developed partnerships with local organizations to enhance outreach efforts.
- Oversaw crisis communication plans to address emerging issues effectively.
Press Secretary & Speechwriter
U.S. House of Representatives
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Managed media inquiries, press events, and public communications for a congressional office, including crisis and rapid-response communications.
- Developed speeches, opinion pieces, and legislative messaging for federal policy rollouts, and constituent communications.
- Developed messaging strategies to effectively communicate legislative priorities.
- Cultivated relationships with journalists from local, regional, and national outlets to increase the visibility of the elected official's initiatives.
Director of Public Affairs
U.S. Conference of Mayors
1996 - 1999
- Led national public affairs, media relations, and communications strategy for the organization, overseeing press materials, messaging, and outreach for annual and winter meetings attended by mayors from across the country.
- Coordinated with mayoral offices, national media outlets, and public relations firms to elevate organizational visibility, expand media coverage, and support high-profile policy and advocacy initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Writing
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LASkills
- Strategic communications
- Crisis communications
- Media relations
- Executive messaging and speechwriting
- Brand and digital strategy
- Website and content management
- Internal communications
- Cross-agency coordination
- Stakeholder engagement
- Leadership and staff development
- Project management
- Rapid-response communications
Technical skills
- GovDelivery (Granicus)
- CMS website platforms
- Social media strategy and analytics
- Media monitoring tools
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
Training
- Officer Candidate School
- Officer Basic & Advanced Courses
- Commanders Course
- Medical Logistics Course
- Combined Arms Course
- Medical Operations Course
- Command & General Staff Course
- Advanced Operations Course
Selected Achievements
- Led transition communications and rebranding strategy for Baltimore’s first woman mayor.
- Directed communications for national events through the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
- Contributed to the redesign and launch of five organizational websites across government, academic, political, and nonprofit sectors.
- Introduced project-management systems at the University of Baltimore School of Law to modernize communications workflows.
- Successfully managed major communications initiatives across government, military, and nonprofit settings.
Timeline
Director of Communications
Maryland Department of Service & Civic Innovation (DSCI)
02.2023 - 03.2025
Press Secretary & Speechwriter
U.S. House of Representatives
01.1999 - 01.2000
Chief, Policy Oversight & Compliance Division
United States Army Medical Command
2018 - 2022
Medical Policy Staff Writer
Headquarters, Department of the Army
2016 - 2018
Senior Advisor
Army National Gaurd
2003 - 2016
Senior Fellow
Annie E. Casey Foundation
2007 - 2009
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of the Mayor, City of Baltimore
2006 - 2007
Chief of Staff, Dean's Office
University of Baltimore School of Law
2005 - 2006
Assistant Secretary
Maryland Department of General Services
2002 - 2003
Director of Public Affairs
Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Maryland
2000 - 2001
Director of Public Affairs
U.S. Conference of Mayors
1996 - 1999
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Writing
Louisiana State University