Meet the NAGC Board: John Verrico

From time to time, I like to do spotlight features on the NAGC blog, and throughout the year, I’d also like to introduce you to the NAGC Board of Directors. This month, meet John Verrico.

John serves as Director of Professional Development on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Government Communicators, and formerly served as their Director of Communications. In his day job, John is Spokesman for the Science & Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He has more than 30 years professional experience in communications, working extensively in media, community and employee relations. A retired Navy Reserve Master Chief Journalist, he has served in various public affairs posts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Maryland Department of Environment, Governor of Maryland, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Navy. He was also a freelance journalist and a communications and marketing consultant for small businesses.

John is also on the leadership board for the Federal Communicators Network — an organization dedicated to providing professional development opportunities for government public affairs personnel – and is a member of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Navy Public Affairs Alumni Association.

He earned his Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership and a graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from Norwich University, and a Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of the State of New York. He received the Rear Admiral Thompson Award for Excellence in Public Affairs in 2005, and was named one of the Top 5 Event Managers of 1998 by Exhibitor Magazine. He also received the Public Relations Society of America Annapolis Chapter’s Silver Dome Award for community relations and multiple military and other awards for professional excellence.

In his spare time,John enjoys performing in community theater and stand-up comedy. Additionally, he takes pleasure in collecting books and entertainment memorabilia, reading and traveling with his wife, Bonnie.

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