The Public Affairs and Government (PAG) Section is made up of more than 1,000 communication and public relations practitioners who serve all levels of government and branches of the military, as well as those at counseling firms, corporations and associations who are responsible for communicating with various audiences on public policy or public safety issues.
About Us
About Us
Through in-person and virtual opportunities, newsletters and more, the PAG Section offers training and resources to help you to increase your skills and make new contacts to build your career as a public affairs/government professional.
How Do I Join?
If you are already a PRSA member and looking to join this Section, please call the Member Services department at (212) 460-1400 or email: membership@prsa.org.
Not a PRSA member? Learn about the benefits and how to join PRSA here.
Events
Upcoming Events
Public Affairs and Government Summit
June 11-13, 2025
Save the Date!
Executive Committee
Public Affairs and Government Executive Committee
Your Executive Committee works to establish the Public Affairs and Government Section as the place for agency leaders to gather and share expertise and grow together. We do this with year-round programming and content development.
Chair
Lori Croy, APR
Director of Communications
MO Dept. of Commerce & Insurance
Jefferson City, MO
Lori.Croy@dci.mo.gov
Chair Elect
Toni-Anne Blake
Communications Director
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Trenton, NJ
tonianne.blake@crc.nj.gov
toniblake09@gmail.com
Immediate Past Chair/Programming
Jenn Elting, APR
Manager of Community & Media Relations
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Cleveland, OH
eltingj@neorsd.org
Secretary
Karla Slate, APR
Communications & Marketing Manager
City of Covington
Covington, WA
kslate@covingtonwa.gov
Social Media Chair
Yesenia Reinoso
Digital Marketing & Media Relations Officer
Y Communicate
Fort Lee, NJ
officialyeseniareinoso@gmail.com
Member Recruitment/Retention/Mentoring
Dr. Joe Trahan, APR, Fellow PRSA
President/CEO/International Media Relations Trainer
Trahan & Associates
Hixson, TN
joe_cajun@yahoo.com
Newsletter
Barbara Burfeind, APR+M, Fellow PRSA
Independent
US Navy retired
Fairfax, VA
burfante81@yahoo.com
Summit Co-Chair
Hannah Bourgeois
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
CONCEPTUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jacksonville, FL
hannah@conceptualpr.com;
hebourg@me.com
Programming Chair
Jenn Elting, APR
Manager of Community & Media Relations
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Cleveland, OH
eltingj@neorsd.org
Summit Co-Chair
Karla Slate, APR
Communications & Marketing Manager
City of Covington
Covington, WA
kslate@covingtonwa.gov
MVTF Representative
Paula L. Pedene, APR, Fellow PRSA
Owner
Paula Pedene & Associates a SDVOSB
paula@pedene.com
PRSSA Liaison
Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR
Associate Commissioner for Public Affairs
Louisiana Board of Regents
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
chris.yandle@laregents.edu
Members at Large
Enrico “Rick” Callender, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
Valley Water
rcallender@valleywater.org
Jennifer Day, APR
Great Lakes Regional Coordinator
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Jennifer.Day@noaa.gov
Wayne Delk
Owner
Delk Media Group
wayneadelk@delkmediagroup.com
Saralynne DelRaso
Bettis Public Affairs
Naval Nuclear Laboratory
saralynne.delraso@unnpp.gov
Capt. Brook DeWalt, APR+M, Fellow PRSA
Director of Public Affairs Operations
Office of the Secretary of Defense
brook.dewalt.mil@mail.mil;
brookdewalt@yahoo.com
Rachael Gibson
Chief of External Affairs
Valley Water
rgibson@valleywater.org
Lauri-Ellen Smith, APR
Owner
CAT 5 Crisis Communications, Inc.
cat5crisiscomm@gmail.com
Debra Walker, APR
Director of Public Affairs
Missouri Department of Mental Health
debra.walker@dmh.mo.gov
Associate Commissioner for Public Affairs
Louisiana Board of Regents
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
chris.yandle@laregents.edu
FOLLOW PAG ON SOCIAL MEDIA
