Career Summary

Experienced communications consultant with a background in K-12 public education, municipal government, nonprofits, and television broadcasting. Proficient in devising and implementing strategic plans, with a collaborative approach to engage multiple stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes. An effective strategist who leverages an unwavering commitment to excellence to build and execute impactful communications.

Select Career Highlights

  • Led the initiations and comprehensive community marketing campaign of “I Love DeKalb Schools” across multiple media channels which included television commercials, billboard and print campaign, social media, and original theme song.

  • Developed multi-pronged media relations program in DeKalb County School District, enabling district to respond to an average of 200 media contacts monthly.

  • Executed district-wide media policy and protocols for Fort Worth and Cincinnati school districts that provided clear direction and expectations for media outlets.

  • Facilitated copyright/trademark process and logo usage policy and licensing agreement for Liberty Public Schools that resulted in additional revenue stream to the district and avoided a copyright infringement lawsuit.

  • Co-developed city-wide ethics campaign for the City of Fort Worth called “Class ACT” – Accountability, Character and Trust following incidents of employee malfeasance.

Areas of Expertise

  • Media Training

  • Stakeholder Engagement

  • Public Speaking

  • Voiceover Narrator & Storyteller

  • Crisis Communications

  • Strategic Communications

  • Public Relations

  • Media Relations

Professional Experience

St. Joseph School District
Director of Communications
St. Joseph, MO | 2020-present

Significantly impacted districtwide internal and external communications and media relations by building relationships, creating strategic plans and producing employee and school-based feature stories on social media platforms. Strategic advisor to senior level administration, Board of Education, and partner organizations. Serve as district media spokesperson. Supervise staff responsible for website, social media, events, video production and district TV channel.

  • Internal and external communications positively increased with engagement.

  • Increased effectiveness of $80K annual budget by implementing and enhancing current programs.

  • Increased positive media coverage through consistent and concise messaging.


HoustonStewart Consulting LLC
President and Owner
Liberty, MO | 2019-present

Provide consulting, coaching and training for public school districts, non-profit organizations, and individuals in the areas of communications, public/media relations, crisis management and event management.

  • Executive coach for an employee changing careers from television journalism to public education communications professional. Created action plan and established goals in partnership with employee, consulted employee to provide positive and tangible feedback in the areas of multi-tasking, problem-solving, and leadership.

  • Event manager for Superintendent State of the District event for a 78-thousand city school district. Services included: pre-event planning, script development, on-site director, and voice talent.

  • Committee member and public relations/marketing chair for Liberty African American Legacy Memorial dedication event honoring the lives of more than 750 African Americans buried in unmarked graves in a segregated cemetery in Liberty, MO.


DeKalb County School District
Chief Communications and Community Relations Officer
Stone Mountain, GA | 2016-2019

Led the communications division overseeing public relations, media relations, marketing, graphics, social media, online content, and community relations. Transformed the district’s television station for the 3rd largest school district in the state of Georgia by improving programming and messaging. As a Senior Cabinet member, played a crucial role in offering leadership and guidance in crisis management and support at both district and school levels.

  • Increased communications division from three to nine professionals while consistently exceeding expectations.

  • Remained within $680K annual budget.


Kansas City Public Schools
Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing 
Kansas City, MO | 2010-2016

Led the development, accomplishment, and upkeep of communication strategies, community relations, public/media relations and community engagement initiatives. Acted as the district spokesperson, oversaw nine employees across three divisions (Public Relations/ Marketing, Parent & Family Engagement and Partners in Education/Volunteers), offered guidance to the superintendent and fellow Cabinet members, and served as district liaison to various non-profit, business and faithbased organizations.

  • Spearheaded and coordinated communication initiatives addressing the closure of 27 schools and layoffs of over 900 district employees.

  • Financial oversight of a $1.2M communication budget


Early Career

Assistant to Superintendent, Communications | Liberty Public Schools

City Communications Officer | City of Fort Worth

Director of Communications | Fort Worth Independent School District

Assistant Director and Interim Director of Public Affairs | Cincinnati Public Schools

Television Anchor and Reporter | Cincinnati, OH, Topeka, KS, St. Joseph, MO

Communications Director | United Way of Greater St. Joseph

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

William Jewell College | Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Public Relations

William Jewell College | Board of Trustees Emerita

Liberty Public Schools | Former Elected School Board Member