Kelly S. Hunt
E-mail: huntks@gmail.com
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Communications professional experienced in message shaping, focused on content creation for social media efforts, management of web presence and development of communications strategies. Skilled at simplifying and amplifying complicated topics for general public consumption. Experience working in Afghanistan as a reporter and public affairs specialist; possess knowledge on cultural differences and experience with military operations in theater. Process-oriented manager adept at multitasking and directing detail-focused initiatives. Capabilities include:
• Communications strategist • Content creation • Writer, copy editor
• Contract, program manager • Social media professional • Newspaper, web site editor
• Media relations, outreach • Web content manager • Photojournalist, reporter
EDUCATION
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
• B.S. in Journalism and Electronic Media, May, 2007/Magazine emphasis/cum laude graduate.
• M.S. in Journalism and Electronic Media, December, 2008/International Journalism emphasis.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
December, 2014 - current: Transportation Security Administration, Arlington, Va.
Public Affairs Specialist
August, 2012 - April, 2014: Department of State, Afghanistan and Washington D.C.
Diplomat, Public Affairs Specialist
March, 2009 - August, 2012: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C.
Communications Specialist:
• Responsible for management of large-sum contracts and direction of division-wide communications efforts, including strategies; social media efforts; content creation for web presence; and recruiting experts for events, presentations, webinars and blogs.
• Write speeches and talking points for high-level federal representatives.
• Led collaborated initiatives, including a cross-program communication strategy and implementation plan – the first for the division.
• Monitored and managed all media communication and ensured compliance with EPA protocols and standards.
• Led the continued development of IED’s tribal web presence, increasing reach to federally recognized tribes nationwide and assessing needs of the often-overlooked population.
• Developed the first EPA division-focused Spanish-only website, providing the underserved population guidance on protecting their family from environmental health threats.
• Record of completing tasks on or before deadline and fast-tracked increases in responsibility.
February, 2007 - March, 2009: Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee
Editorial desk copy editor:
• Wrote headlines, subheads, decks and cutlines for articles appearing in all sections.
• Provide copy editing for about 8-10 articles per daily publication.
• Assisted in story selection, news worthiness and placement determination.
January, 2007- January, 2009: UT School of Journalism and Electronic Media, Knoxville, Tennessee
JEM web site editor:
• Managed the website; Responsible for writing and copy editing all articles and headlines for publication.
• Update events and designed Web pages using Drupal content management system.
• Worked on deadline to cover multicultural events important to our target audience.
SCOOP alumni magazine, copy edit chief:
• Responsible for copy editing all articles, headlines and cutlines for print publication and copy editing story packages for Web site.
• Determined story selection and coached copy editors.
September, 2001 - August, 2005: United States Army, Fort Hood, Texas
Fort Hood Sentinel editor:
• Served as the editor for the Sentinel, Fort Hood’s weekly 40,000 circulation newspaper.
• Supervised 30 military and civilian photojournalists; coached 15 journalists daily on writing style and on printing and publication aspects.
Senior reporter:
• Routinely assigned task of writing front-page lead story for the Sentinel and completed 4 to 5 articles per edition, as well as provided visual impact images.
• Selected nearly every month for inclusion in the Army-wide Post 30 report, which recognizes reporting and writing excellence.
• Coached new reporters on proper form and content for military publications.
Photojournalist, Bagram, Afghanistan:
• Deployed for nine-month period with 4th Public Affairs Detachment headquartered at Bagram Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Tasked with establishing a daily publication reflecting actions throughout Afghanistan, which evolved into a 20-page weekly magazine, the Freedom Watch. Produced 6-7 articles per edition and assisted the editor in daily layout.
• Attached to combat units, strait line infantry/armor and Special Forces during missions to report on military actions and develop human interest stories on soldiers, coalition personnel and local nationals.
• Secondary role as public affairs specialist, responsible for resolution of conflicts between American/coalition forces and the Afghan populace through communication.
• Produced images chosen for DOD publication, including one photo chosen for an Army postcard and selected by West Point as its official image depicting “Leadership.”
E-mail: huntks@gmail.com
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Communications professional experienced in message shaping, focused on content creation for social media efforts, management of web presence and development of communications strategies. Skilled at simplifying and amplifying complicated topics for general public consumption. Experience working in Afghanistan as a reporter and public affairs specialist; possess knowledge on cultural differences and experience with military operations in theater. Process-oriented manager adept at multitasking and directing detail-focused initiatives. Capabilities include:
• Communications strategist • Content creation • Writer, copy editor
• Contract, program manager • Social media professional • Newspaper, web site editor
• Media relations, outreach • Web content manager • Photojournalist, reporter
EDUCATION
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
• B.S. in Journalism and Electronic Media, May, 2007/Magazine emphasis/cum laude graduate.
• M.S. in Journalism and Electronic Media, December, 2008/International Journalism emphasis.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
December, 2014 - current: Transportation Security Administration, Arlington, Va.
Public Affairs Specialist
August, 2012 - April, 2014: Department of State, Afghanistan and Washington D.C.
Diplomat, Public Affairs Specialist
March, 2009 - August, 2012: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C.
Communications Specialist:
• Responsible for management of large-sum contracts and direction of division-wide communications efforts, including strategies; social media efforts; content creation for web presence; and recruiting experts for events, presentations, webinars and blogs.
• Write speeches and talking points for high-level federal representatives.
• Led collaborated initiatives, including a cross-program communication strategy and implementation plan – the first for the division.
• Monitored and managed all media communication and ensured compliance with EPA protocols and standards.
• Led the continued development of IED’s tribal web presence, increasing reach to federally recognized tribes nationwide and assessing needs of the often-overlooked population.
• Developed the first EPA division-focused Spanish-only website, providing the underserved population guidance on protecting their family from environmental health threats.
• Record of completing tasks on or before deadline and fast-tracked increases in responsibility.
February, 2007 - March, 2009: Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee
Editorial desk copy editor:
• Wrote headlines, subheads, decks and cutlines for articles appearing in all sections.
• Provide copy editing for about 8-10 articles per daily publication.
• Assisted in story selection, news worthiness and placement determination.
January, 2007- January, 2009: UT School of Journalism and Electronic Media, Knoxville, Tennessee
JEM web site editor:
• Managed the website; Responsible for writing and copy editing all articles and headlines for publication.
• Update events and designed Web pages using Drupal content management system.
• Worked on deadline to cover multicultural events important to our target audience.
SCOOP alumni magazine, copy edit chief:
• Responsible for copy editing all articles, headlines and cutlines for print publication and copy editing story packages for Web site.
• Determined story selection and coached copy editors.
September, 2001 - August, 2005: United States Army, Fort Hood, Texas
Fort Hood Sentinel editor:
• Served as the editor for the Sentinel, Fort Hood’s weekly 40,000 circulation newspaper.
• Supervised 30 military and civilian photojournalists; coached 15 journalists daily on writing style and on printing and publication aspects.
Senior reporter:
• Routinely assigned task of writing front-page lead story for the Sentinel and completed 4 to 5 articles per edition, as well as provided visual impact images.
• Selected nearly every month for inclusion in the Army-wide Post 30 report, which recognizes reporting and writing excellence.
• Coached new reporters on proper form and content for military publications.
Photojournalist, Bagram, Afghanistan:
• Deployed for nine-month period with 4th Public Affairs Detachment headquartered at Bagram Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Tasked with establishing a daily publication reflecting actions throughout Afghanistan, which evolved into a 20-page weekly magazine, the Freedom Watch. Produced 6-7 articles per edition and assisted the editor in daily layout.
• Attached to combat units, strait line infantry/armor and Special Forces during missions to report on military actions and develop human interest stories on soldiers, coalition personnel and local nationals.
• Secondary role as public affairs specialist, responsible for resolution of conflicts between American/coalition forces and the Afghan populace through communication.
• Produced images chosen for DOD publication, including one photo chosen for an Army postcard and selected by West Point as its official image depicting “Leadership.”
