3:00pm EDT
Welcome and Opening Plenary: Grabbing Attention. Changing Behaviors. Saving Lives.
Moderators JA
Executive Director, Governors Highway Safety Association
Jonathan Adkins was named Executive Director of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in 2014. GHSA is the national nonprofit that represents state highway safety agencies. GHSA members are charged with implementing their governors’ highway safety plans and administering...
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Associate Administrator, Communications and Consumer Information, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Susan Gorcowski serves as the Associate Administrator for Communications and Consumer Information (OCCI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Gorcowski manages the office responsible for providing accurate and timely vehicle and traffic safety information...
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Principal, The Fratelli Group
Pete Janhunen is a principal at The Fratelli Group, where he manages a range of clients, including the Society for Human Resource Management, Business Roundtable and the European Union Delegation to the United States. Pete has led communications teams in Washington, DC, for more...
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Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Heidi King is the Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. She comes to NHTSA with extensive experience in public safety, innovation, risk management, evidence-based decision-making and law enforcement. An economist and research scientist by training...
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4:00pm EDT
Plenary Session 1: Engaging with Your Gen Y + Gen Z Audiences
Speakers AB
Public Information Officer, Nevada Department of Public Safety in the Office of Traffic Safety
Andrew Bennett is currently the Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Public Safety in the Office of Traffic Safety. Prior to his time as the PIO in the Office of Traffic Safety, he has passionately been working towards the goal of Zero Fatalities in the State of...
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Senior Vice President and Lead Digital Strategist, The Tombras Group
David Jacobs is a Senior Vice President and Lead Digital Strategist at The Tombras Group, one of the nation’s top independent advertising agencies and Agency of Record for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Media, Communications, and Advertising Support Services...
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8:15am EDT
Plenary Session 2: Going Beyond Traditional Media: Latest Trends for Today + Tomorrow
Moderators LS
Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Communications & Consumer Information, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Lucia Sanchez is a public affairs specialist in the Office of Communications and Consumer Information for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2012 she developed a social media strategy for the agency and established its Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts. She...
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Senior Sales Manager, Advanced TV, Adobe
Bruce Mello, Sr. Sales Manager Advanced TV at Adobe , is a seasoned TV and digital executive with over 30 years experience in the industry. Prior to entering the digital industry in 1997 as one of the founders of digital ad network 24/7 Media, he spend over a decade in sales management...
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Executive Manager, Modal Divisions, New Mexico Department of Transportation
Currently the Executive Manager of the Modal Divisions which includes overseeing the Traffic Safety Division for the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering). Started working in Highway...
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9:15am EDT
Plenary Session 3: Communications Road Show: Planning Year-Round Between Mobilizations
Moderators MJ
Marketing Specialist, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Mike Joyce has served as a Marketing Specialist in NHTSA’s Office of Communications and Consumer Information for over 10 years. He began his Federal career at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as a graphic designer and has since moved on to manage some of the most...
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Asst. Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, California Office of Traffic Safety
As Assistant Director for Marketing and Public Affairs, Chris Cochran administers and directs the media, communications, and marketing efforts of the California Office of Traffic Safety. Cochran works with over 300 grantees, the media, stakeholders, advocacy groups, state and...
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Planning and Administrative Manager, Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning
Anne Readett managed communications programs and activities for the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning for nearly 25 years. She was involved in programs and mobilizations that helped increase seat belt use from 65 percent to 98 percent in 2009.
During that time the office’s...
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1:15pm EDT
Plenary Session 4: Reaching Our Target Audiences: Targeting and Tailoring Our Messages
Moderators CA
Managing Director Multicultural, The Tombras Group
Carlos Alcazar works with federal government agencies, non-profits, and corporate brands to create award-winning marketing and advertising campaigns that reach millennial and multicultural markets. His focus on content and digital platforms includes award-winning work with leading...
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Safety Communications Manager, Colorado Department of Transportation
Sam Cole is the Communications Manager for Traffic Safety at the Colorado Department of Transportation. He has over 20 years of experience working in the public sector at the national, state and local levels as a director, spokesperson, trainer, liaison, and strategist. At CDOT he...
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Partner, Culture ONE World
Duly Fernandez has worked in the Hispanic marketing communications industry for over fifteen years. Due to her work on behalf of non-profit and government clients, she has built a reputation in the Spanish-language media industry as the source for public service, educational and information...
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11:00am EDT
Plenary Session 5: A Look Ahead in Highway Safety: Staying Ahead of the Curve on Emerging Issues - New Tools, Campaigns & Resources
Moderators KM
Senior Director of Communications and Programs, Governors Highway Safety Association
Kara Macek directs the operations and strategic direction of the communications and programs functions for GHSA. She serves as the Association’s chief communications officer, developing and executing a broad communications strategy to provide visibility to GHSA’s policies, activities...
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Legislative and Media Relations Manager, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Shelly Baldwin is the Legislative and Media Relations manager for the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. She serves as the agency’s legislative liaison promoting policies to further the State’s Target Zero goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries. She directs the agency’s...
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Director of Consumer Information Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Susan McMeen is currently the Director of Office of Consumer Information in the Office of Communications and Consumer Information for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). She manages the consumer campaigns such as CIOT, Drive Sober Get Pulled Over, U Drive...
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Director, Center for Health and Safety Culture
Professor Nicholas Ward obtained his Ph.D. in Human Factors psychology from Queen's University (Canada). He is currently a Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Montana State University and Director of the Center for Health and Safety Culture at the Western Transportation...
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11:45am EDT
Closing Remarks: Working Together: Closing Thoughts and Q&A
Speakers HB
Director, Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety
Harris Blackwood was re-elected to serve a second term as GHSA Vice Chair in August 2016. He also serves as the Director of the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety. He has also served as the Chair of the Association's Strategic Communications Committee.
Blackwood was appointed...
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Associate Administrator, Communications and Consumer Information, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Susan Gorcowski serves as the Associate Administrator for Communications and Consumer Information (OCCI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Gorcowski manages the office responsible for providing accurate and timely vehicle and traffic safety information...
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