Brent Williams
Colorado Springs
Summary
Public affairs professional with proven success in managing high-profile communication initiatives and community outreach programs. Expertise in leading teams through complex operational environments, ensuring effective messaging for military and civilian audiences. Strong ability to develop strategies that enhance public engagement and foster community relations.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Business Owner and Contractor
KinderKite In-Home Daycare Services
Colorado Springs
02.2023 - Current
- Oversaw daily in-home daycare operations, delivering professional quality assistance while ensuring safety, health, and welfare standards
- Completed over 5,000 personal deliveries for Instacart and Kroger, maintaining a 5-star rating while shopping at more than 25 stores
- Managed daily operations of in-home daycare services effectively.
- Ensured a safe and nurturing environment for children at all times.
- Developed engaging lesson plans tailored to children's developmental needs.
Deputy Director
Office of the Chief of Public Affairs-Midwest, HQDA
Chicago
07.2020 - 04.2022
- Managed Army Field Operation Agency overseeing HQDA-level public affairs in 16 Midwest states, prioritizing Army community relations and media activities; developed engagements for senior leaders and units to inform audiences about Army mission and initiatives; engaged advocates to create venues for community outreach and special events.
- Provided senior counsel to key civic and business leaders to enhance Army community relations and outreach in Chicago, Oklahoma City and Kansas City.
- Planned and facilitated multiple community engagements in Chicago for the Sergeant Major of the Army and several military and veteran support organizations.
- Cultivated relationships through consistent action and networking, enabling senior leaders to effectively promote Army brand.
- Served as director for ten months during pandemic, ensuring continuity; created inaugural virtual tours and conferences to adapt community engagement strategies.
First Sergeant
Defense Information School, Department of Defense
Fort Meade
06.2018 - 07.2020
- First Sergeant of a Department of Defense communications schoolhouse that trained 2,000 initial entry, intermediate and advanced students annually.
- Expertly led a team of 150 joint-service junior and senior leader instructors through challenging transition period introducing new training curriculum.
- Led health, welfare, training, and professional development initiatives for over 250 civilians, contractors, and service members, enhancing overall team readiness.
- Advised Commandant and Command Sergeant Major on policies and command climate, directly influencing mission success and operational effectiveness.
- Provided counseling, administrative support and career guidance to over 160 junior and senior Noncommissioned Officers during a two-year period.
- Managed operations, security, and oversight of a $156M facility with more than $35M in equipment.
Chief Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer
4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson
Fort Carson
07.2015 - 05.2018
- Led public affairs planning and execution of five major media events in support of military operations over a nine-month period; reached global audiences >1.5B.
- Served as public affairs officer for Atlantic Resolve; coordinated public affairs activities with U.S. embassies and eight host nation ministries in eastern Europe to enhance regional collaboration.
- Created unit public affairs training program for over 60K Soldiers, family members, and civilians, while overseeing division organization inspection program to ensure compliance with standards.
- Advised on Division-level public affairs doctrine, training, and operations for command, staff, subordinate units, and sections, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Force Development and Personnel Policy NCO
Army Public Affairs Center
Fort Meade
10.2012 - 06.2015
- Senior Noncommissioned Officer for Army proponent chief responsible for developing and maintaining force and organizational structure policy for over 3,300 active duty, National Guard and Army Reserve component officers and enlisted Soldiers and over 100 active and reserve component public affairs units.
- Presented a mitigation strategy for reductions and eliminations to the Public Affairs force adopted by the Chief of Army Public Affairs; saved Army $1M annually.
- Conducted research, grade plate analysis, and developed courses of action for Total Army force, preparing HQDA, Army Service Component Commands, Army Theater, and Corps-level commands for 2014 sequestration and force reduction.
- Trained and advised reserve component public affairs staffs and Army retention NCOs on policies, procedures, and regulations, enhancing knowledge and compliance within Army Public Affairs career field.
- Managed contractor requirements for designing and distributing online task-to-manning analysis for annual Army force structure reviews.
Public Affairs Operations NCO
4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson
Fort Carson
08.2009 - 10.2012
- Division editor of over 750 print and broadcast products from 10 brigades across northern Iraq; produced Army-level award winning publication, The Ivy Leaf.
- Managed division public affairs command information program and media operations at home and deployed in support of Operation New Dawn.
- Oversaw public affairs soldiers, social media contractors, webmaster, and Iraqi translators; acted as contracting representative for public affairs agreements.
- Directed division-wide public affairs training program for 18 soldiers across 4 brigades; committed personal time to enhance professional development of public affairs soldiers.
- Developed public affairs training materials to meet subordinate unit operational needs; established procedures for joint operations center in Iraq.
Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer in Charge
1st and 4th Brigade Combat Teams, 4th Infantry Division
Fort Hood
07.2005 - 07.2009
- Managed the forward operating base media center, facilitating national and international press conferences, Baghdad Press Club, and media embeds.
- Trained officers, senior NCOs, and Soldiers in conducting over 150 media embeds and hundreds of live, recorded, and print OIF interviews, improving media engagement.
- Produced 26 issues of unit magazine and monthly broadcast program; supervising or directly creating more than 500 articles, and countless radio spots.
- Integrated into combat patrols in central and southeastern Baghdad, effectively conveying unit’s mission through military journalism and media.
- Safely led, planned and organized Battlefield Media Circulations for Operation Together Forward; executed first press conference in Al Doura, Iraq in 2006.
- Implemented and supervised brigade internal communications command information program and battlefield media facilitation, enhancing information dissemination.
Print Journalist/Public Affairs Specialist
49th Public Affairs Detachment
Fort Bragg
09.1999 - 07.2005
- Acted as military reporter, photographer, and editor, producing over 100 news items and feature articles for print publications.
- Received 1st Place two years consecutively serving as editor for the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Week annual tabloid; told the Soldier’s Story.
- Planned and led Public Affairs operations for 2005 All-American Week, coordinating SECDEF visit and enhancing visibility of Army Airborne Public Affairs Detachment.
- Directed Public Affairs activities for Task Force Falcon during Operation Iraqi Freedom, ensuring accurate and timely communication of mission accomplishments.
- Executed deployment for Operation Endurance Freedom in October 2001, engaging in mission-critical tasks.
Education
Army Public Affairs -
Defense Information School
Professional Military Education -
U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Joint Service Transcript -
United States Army
English/Technical Writing -
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Skills
- Public relations campaign management
- Digital communications (multimedia, print, broadcast)
- Publication editing and writing
- Crisis communication
- Community relations
- Project planning and evaluation
- Resource management
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Social media proficiency
- Leadership and management
- Team building and mentoring
Accomplishments
- Selected out of 15 NCOs to serve as Deputy Director Office of the Chief of Public Affairs for the Midwest, HQDA
- Promoted to First Sergeant Defense Information School
- Promoted to U.S. Army Master Sergeant Top 5% of U.S Army Public Affairs Career Field
- Class Leader/Commandant’s List Advanced Leaders Course 2010
- Commandant’s List Basic Leaders Course 2004
- Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Awards Paraglide, All-American Week Fort Bragg, NC 2000-2005
Personal Information
Title: U.S. Army 1SG, Retired
Timeline
Independent Business Owner and Contractor
KinderKite In-Home Daycare Services
02.2023 - Current
Deputy Director
Office of the Chief of Public Affairs-Midwest, HQDA
07.2020 - 04.2022
First Sergeant
Defense Information School, Department of Defense
06.2018 - 07.2020
Chief Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer
4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson
07.2015 - 05.2018
Force Development and Personnel Policy NCO
Army Public Affairs Center
10.2012 - 06.2015
Public Affairs Operations NCO
4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson
08.2009 - 10.2012
Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer in Charge
1st and 4th Brigade Combat Teams, 4th Infantry Division
07.2005 - 07.2009
Print Journalist/Public Affairs Specialist
49th Public Affairs Detachment
09.1999 - 07.2005
Army Public Affairs -
Defense Information School
Professional Military Education -
U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Joint Service Transcript -
United States Army
English/Technical Writing -
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma