Recovering newspaper editor, columnist; former congressional liaison, intergovernmental- and public-information officer; sometime college instructor; diplomatic irregular. Extensive crisis-management experience in U.S. disasters with FEMA, in Iraq with the Department of State, and in Afghanistan and Kenya with USAID. Also managed rock bands, which combined aspects of crisis management and kindergarten instruction.

Rode in MRAPs, ate MREs and wheedled cooperation from both Iraqi local officials and the U.S. Army as the Department of State governance advisor in Sadr City, Iraq; represented USAID in negotiations with the Afghan Public Protection Force; and worked at improving USAID communications, productivity and responsiveness as Exec Sec in Kabul.

Currently, Senior Communication Advisor, USAID Nairobi. Formerly Mission Executive Secretary, USAID-Afghanistan; USAID liaison to Afghan Public Protective Force; Department of State Governance Advisor, Sadr City, Iraq; National Intergovernmental Affairs Field Operations Manager, FEMA, Washington, DC.