Experience

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

Responsible for district-wide communications including internal and external communications, media relations and liaison to the community. Serve as district media spokesperson and storyteller. Supervises staff responsible for website, social media, marketing and video production.

Consultant
President/Owner HoustonStewart Consulting LLC, Liberty, MO (2019-present)

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

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

Provided leadership and direction for district-wide communications, marketing, internal and external public relations and community relations efforts in the 3rd largest district in the state of Georgia. Supervised a nine-person division that included communications, marketing and DSTV staff. Provided crisis management and support at the district and school levels. Provided guidance, support and execution of several successful district initiatives. Led the effort to trademark and copyright two district logos at the state and national level.

Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas City, MO (2012-2016)

Provided leadership in developing, achieving and maintaining communications, community relations, public/media relations and community engagement efforts. Served as district spokesperson, supervised nine employees across three divisions (Public Relations/ Marketing, Parent & Family Engagement and Partners in Education/Volunteers), provided counsel to superintendent and fellow Cabinet members, served as district liaison to various non-profit, business and faith-based organizations.

Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing 
Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas City, MO (2010-2012)

Led the activities of public relations staff (media relations, newsletters, social media, website, community forums, etc.) managed budget, developed and maintained relationships with media partners on the local, state and national level, addressed public inquiries related to education issues, responsible for advising senior leadership regarding responses to media inquiries and crises situations, responsible for coordinating and executing major media and district-wide special events.

Asst. to the Superintendent, Communications
Liberty Public Schools, Liberty, MO (2007-2010)

District spokesperson, coordinated internal and external communications, worked with local and state media outlets, provided counsel to senior level administrators and Board of Education, planned and executed special events, produced communications collateral materials, assisted with website design and updated district web pages, provided communications support and direction for bond campaigns.

City Communications Officer
City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX (2004-2007)

District spokesperson for the 16th largest city in the country. Responsible for coordinating internal/external communications, worked with local, state, national and international media, wrote talking points and speeches for mayor, city manager and city council members, provided counsel to executive team/mayor and city council during crisis situations, managed employees in the public information, cable television and reprographics departments.

Director of Communications
Fort Worth Independent School District, Fort Worth, TX (2001-2004)

District spokesperson for 81,000 student school district, 3rd largest in the state of Texas, coordinated internal and external communications, worked with local, state and national media outlets, responsible for department budget planning and execution, customer service and media trainer, managed employees in the communications and instructional television departments.

Assistant Director/Interim Director
Cincinnati Public Schools, Cincinnati, OH (1993-2001)

District spokesperson for 42,000 student school district, worked with local, state and national media outlets, planned and executed news conferences, media briefings, and major special events, developed district-wide communications plans/strategies for major initiatives, served as district liaison with community groups to foster positive relationships with the school district.

News Anchor/Education Reporter – WLWT-TV 5
Cincinnati, OH (1989-1993)

Anchored early morning news hour, generated story ideas on topics of interest in urban, suburban and rural school districts in the Tri-State area (Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky), covered tax levy and bond issues during general and special elections, hosted CG&E Awards of Inspiration program honoring teachers for accomplishments in the classroom.