Chris Lancia

Experience

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  Savannah Morning News & savannahnow.com

  May 2005 - Feb 2006

  Sports Reporter

  Wrote features, game stories and enterprise pieces on a variety of sports, with an emphasis on high school and college athletics, for daily newspaper with a print circulation of 50,000.Wrote a weekly sports blog for the newspaper's website.Filled in on copy desk and in page design using InDesign when needed. Assisted in the design of the yearly high school football and basketball preview sections.

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  Effingham Now

  Feb 2006 - Feb 2007

  Editor

  Managed three full-time writers and advertising executives and more than a dozen freelance reporters and photographers for Effingham Now, a subsidiary of The Savannah (Ga.) Morning News.Wrote and edited both long- and short-form copy for print and online publication.Developed and solicited feature-length articles from staff and contributing writers.Cultivated relationships with local people of interest, to include politicians, coaches and athletes, and public and private management executives.Planned and executed improvements to the publication to increase circulation and provide content for the daily newspaper. Show less

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  U.S. Army

  Sept 2011 - Mar 2016

  • Airborne Services Detachment Commander

    Aug 2013 - Mar 2016

  • Logistics Officer

    Sept 2011 - Aug 2013
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  U.S. Army

  Oct 2016 - Feb 2017

  Special Operations Logistics Officer
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  E Co., 2-3 Aviation Regiment, 3rd ID

  Mar 2017 - Sept 2018

  Company Commander

  U.S. Army Forward Support Company.

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  Army Logistics University

  Jan 2019 - Apr 2020

  Basic Officer Leadership Instructor

  Served as an instructor and content writer for the Army Logistics University Logistics Basic Officer Leader Course. Wrote and updated lesson plans; ensured instructional material was updated; coached, mentored, and taught approved material; evaluated practical exercises and proctored and graded tests.

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  Team Red, White & Blue

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2020

  Eagle Leader Fellow (2019)
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  U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command

  Apr 2020 - Mar 2021

  Public Affairs Officer

  Serves as the Public Affairs Cell Officer-in-Charge, leading a team of four while shaping internal and external messaging campaigns.

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  US Army

  Mar 2021 - Jan 2024

  Public Affairs Officer
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  George W. Bush Presidential Center

  Jun 2021 - Jun 2022

  2021 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholar
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  Grid Square Recon

  Aug 2022 - now

  Chief Recon Officer and Co-Founder

  Responsible for pursuing the goal of creating a sense of belonging for military families in the place where they live. This creates immense benefits, including family connection and cohesion, increases in military spouse employment and resource availability, and more successful military transitions due to connections with community members and leaders.Advocates for military families, giving voice to their experiences and shedding light on the support, resources, and community available to them. Shares messages that foster community pride and understanding while raising awareness of the unique sacrifices and strengths of military families. Responsible for creating and sharing compelling narratives that honor, inform, and connect military families to each other and their communities to foster a sense of belonging.Builds collaboration with military family support groups, veteran service organizations, local community leaders and organizations, and military installation leadership.Builds trust within the community, respecting and reflecting their experiences accurately. Why Grid Square Recon? Grid squares are used as a navigational reference in the military. They’re the start to identify each point on the map. When we travel to a new grid square, one of the first things we do is recon the area. Grid Square Recon will provide the initial recon for a military family to more easily navigate their new area after a move. Show less

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  State of Tennessee

  Jan 2023 - Oct 2024

  Responsible to align efforts across state agencies, local government, and partners and stakeholders to build opportunities for veterans and military families in Tennessee. Coordinates development of policy and programs that will benefit the state by enhancing the military-connected talent pipeline and making Tennessee a destination of choice for veterans and their families.

  • Director of Military and Veteran Initiatives

    Jan 2024 - Oct 2024

  • 2023 Tennessee Governor’s Veteran Fellow

    Jan 2023 - Jan 2024
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  Two Ravens Foundation

  Mar 2023 - now

  Board Member

  Serves as a board member for veteran-focused non-profit using equine therapy to empower healing in our nation’s veterans.

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  ArtLinkClarksville

  Aug 2024 - Feb 2025

  Board Member

  Serves as a board member for ArtLink Clarksville, which is dedicated to building community through arts and a stronger sense of creativity.

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  Night Stalker Association

  Jan 2025 - now

  President of the Board

  The President of the Board for the Night Stalker Association serves as the chief executive and primary representative of the organization, providing strategic leadership to fulfill its mission of supporting the soldiers, veterans, and families of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). This role requires strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills to effectively oversee the association’s operations, ensure alignment with its core values, and promote its objectives within the community. Show less

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  Tennessee Department of General Services

  Feb 2025 - now

  Chief of Staff & Strategy

  The Chief of Staff and Strategy at the Tennessee Department of General Services serves as a key advisor to the Commissioner, providing strategic leadership and oversight across the department's various divisions. This role involves coordinating initiatives, streamlining operations, and ensuring alignment with the department's mission to deliver mission-focused general services to support Tennessee State government. Additionally, the Chief of Staff and Strategy fosters collaboration among divisions such as Central Procurement, Real Estate Asset Management, Vehicle & Asset Management, and Document Solutions, aiming to enhance efficiency and service delivery throughout the state. Show less