Tony Russell

Experience

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  U.S. Coast Guard

  May 2002 - May 2005

  Regional Director of Public Relations

  Led communication integration for five agencies, 14 offices, and 20 colleagues and subordinates transferred into newly formed Department of Homeland Security for the highest profile region of operations encompassing the Southeast U.S., Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Basin; developed first-ever interagency comms plan for a mass migration; contributed to the prevention of a humanitarian crisis during 2004 collapse of Haitian government. Volunteered as public affairs officer for Coast Guard Forces Southwest Asia, produced 53 news features in 37 outlets in just three months while deployed to combat theater. Show less

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  U.S. Coast Guard

  Jun 2008 - Jun 2013

  Directed complex, multi-asset military, law enforcement, and rescue operations for vessels operating independently in the Bering Sea, Eastern Pacific, Southeast U.S. and Caribbean. Trained and motivated crew to earn distinction as only vessel of 10 in class to achieve formal distinction for excellence in overall operational readiness and effectiveness. Dedicated to professional development, morale, and welfare of up to 175 crewmembers amidst deployments away from home and family for extended periods; mentored dozens of future successful leaders and performers throughout the Coast Guard and beyond. Show less Primary communication counselor to the National Incident Commander for first-ever designated spill of national significance and largest environmental crisis in U.S. history. Synchronized communication strategies across White House and Cabinet departments and executed integrated communication efforts as the only authorized incident spokesperson conducting flawless daily press briefings attended by 100+ journalists. Drove first-ever military service chief level social media initiative expanding online outreach activity by 600%; widely recognized as best-in-government executive and strategic communicator in modern information environment. Show less

  • Commanding Officer/Executive Officer

    Jun 1998 - Jun 2013

  • Press Secretary to the Commandant

    Jun 2008 - Jun 2010
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  The White House

  Nov 2009 - Apr 2010

  Communications Advisor, White House Office of Energy and Climate Change

  Championed White House communication strategies for energy and climate change policies; influenced Presidential announcements and events, including State of the Union, press releases, talking points, and speeches. Enhanced collaboration with the Department of Defense and national security think tanks to expand environmental advocacy dialogue. Coordinated comms for U.S. delegation to global climate conference; successfully prepared numerous Cabinet Secretary’s and agency heads for vital, sensitive international engagements. Show less

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  RAND

  Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

  Coast Guard Executive Fellow

  Coast Guard service representative as Military Executive Fellow. Contributed substantially to interdisciplinary studies, conferences and seminars and in-depth research on countering piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, improving responses to domestic maritime security threats, and defense institution building and reform in Azerbaijan and Yemen representing strategic U.S. national security interests. Published expert commentaries in three national media outlets and invited as a panel presenter at a high-profile security conference at the Brookings Institute. Show less

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  Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of Net Assessment

  Jul 2014 - Jul 2017

  Chief of Staff and Military Advisor

  Orchestrated day-to-day activities of seven senior analysts in prestigious strategy shop analyzing global political and military issues on behalf of the Secretary of Defense to identify strategic threats and opportunities for the United States. Influenced major investment and posture decisions associated with $700B defense budget through development, targeting and effective delivery of first-of-its-kind study to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and multiple Congressional members and committees. Advanced competitive strategies related to alliance management, undersea warfare, and global economic and resource competition. Show less

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  US Coast Guard Academy

  Jul 2017 - Jun 2019

  Chief, Dept. of Professional Maritime Studies

  Supervised an accredited four-year system of world-class academic education and military training. Prepared 1,100 cadets a year for service as commissioned officers and licensed mariners in the U.S. Coast Guard. Leveraged creative partnerships and technical expertise to overcome declining institutional budget; created external funding sources to double operating funds, acquired used training vessel at savings of $2M for new purchase, and avoided $2.5M in excess contract costs; cumulatively made most programmatic advancements in 20+ years. Spearheaded improvements in culture, diversity, and inclusion as executive leader on Dean’s Council, Curriculum Committee, Leadership/Diversity Advisory Council, and Equity Task Force. Show less

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  U.S. Coast Guard

  May 2019 - May 2020

  Chief, Office of Public Affairs

  Direct a world-class enterprise public affairs program responsible for all strategy development, program management, and communication execution for a $10 billion annual operating agency with 50,000 employees serving globally. Supervise a staff of 20 orchestrating press relations, organizational communications, flagship social media strategies and content development, public web management, and visual imagery services. Deliver strategic direction to 18 regional offices and more than 100 field practitioners. Apply best-in-government public affairs practices to enhance and sustain one of the strongest brands in public service through high-quality collaboration with industry, intra-governmental stakeholders, and international partners. Show less

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  CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

  May 2020 - Aug 2021

  Director Of Communications

  Executive leader and manager responsible for DEEP's strategic communication program. Provide strategic counsel to Commissioner and three Deputy Commissioners responsible for diverse operational, regulatory, and policy development missions covering energy, environmental protection, natural resources, and outdoor recreation. Direct the planning, coordination, and implemention of strategic plans and integrated execution of media relations, social media, web content management, and internal information programs. Routinely collaborate with Office of the Governor and other state departments and a wide array of stakeholders, constituents, and elected officials. Maintain public trust, organizational credibility, and relationships to enable DEEP's diverse and crucial mission execution. Show less

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  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

  Aug 2021 - Oct 2022

  Assistant Regional Director for External Affairs
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  Center for Arctic Study and Policy at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

  Oct 2022 - now

  Executive Director