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.
Public Affairs & Government Summit
June 24–26
Cincinnati, OH
Section Member Resources on MyPRSA
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.
Join your colleagues at these organizations by taking advantage of our Section membership benefits now!
From the Chair
From the Chair
Dear PAG Section Members,
I’m honored to step into the role of Chair of the PRSA Public Affairs & Government Section and excited to work alongside you in the year ahead. As a PRSA member for more than 20 years and a long-time PAG section member, this community has played a meaningful role in my professional growth, and it’s a privilege to now help lead it.
For the past 17 years, I’ve served as Communications and Marketing Manager and PIO for the City of Covington in Washington state. Like many of you, I work in a fast-paced, resource-limited environment where no two days are the same and “one-person shop” is often the job description. That reality is exactly why the PAG section matters so much to me. This group has long been a place to ask questions, share challenges, and learn from others who truly understand the complexities of public service communications.
My goal is to build on the strong foundation of this section, particularly by continuing to grow our membership, supporting members navigating uncertainty or job transitions, and exploring additional funding and sponsorship opportunities that will allow us to offer more programming and connection.
In the coming year, I’m especially interested in fostering stronger connections beyond ICON and the PAG Summit. Our quarterly webinars are a great resource and I’d love to find new ways for us to engage virtually, share insights, and connect through the PRSA portal throughout the year. One of the greatest benefits of this section is the ability to ask, “What would you do in this situation?” and get thoughtful, real-world answers from peers across the country. Strengthening that sense of community is a priority for me.
If you’re newer to the profession or to government communications, I encourage you to become a PAG member and lean into this section. Find mentors, pursue training where you need it most, and stay curious. Our work requires us to do a little bit of everything and staying connected to one another helps all of us stay sharp, supported, and inspired.
Thank you all for the important work you do every day in service to your communities. I look forward to connecting with you and hearing your ideas on how we can continue to strengthen the PAG Section together.
Warm regards,
Karla Hartley Slate, APR
Chair, PRSA Public Affairs & Government Section
Events
Upcoming Events
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
Karla Hartley, APR
Communications & Marketing Manager, City of Covington
kslate@covingtonwa.gov
Chair Elect
Jennifer Day, APR
jen1641@gmail.com
Immediate Past Chair/Summit Co-Chair
Lori Croy, APR
Director of Communications, MO Dept. of Commerce & Insurance
Lori.Croy@dci.mo.gov
Secretary
Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR
Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs, Louisiana Board of Regents
chris.yandle@laregents.edu
Programming Chair
Cassie Cain-Alston
Government Affairs and Communications Manager, Georgia Department of Administrative Services
cassie.alston@doas.ga.gov
Summit Co-Chair
Jenn Elting, APR
Manager of Community & Media Relations, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
eltingj@neorsd.org
Summit Co-Chair/Communications Co-Chair (Social Media)
Saralynne DelRaso
Saralynne.Delraso@unnpp.gov
Communications Co-Chair
Patrick Evans
Public Affairs Officer, US Navy retired
patrick.l.evans.mil@us.navy.mil
Communications Co-Chair (Newsletter)
Barbara Burfeind, APR+M, Fellow PRSA
Independent, US Navy retired
burfante81@yahoo.com
Membership/Mentorship Co-Chair
Dr. Joe Trahan, APR, Fellow PRSA
President/CEO/International Media Relations Trainer, Trahan & Associates
joe_cajun@yahoo.com
Membership Co-Chair
Debra Walker, APR
Director of Public Affairs, Missouri Department of Mental Health
debra.walker@dmh.mo.gov
Membership/Mentorship Co-Chair
Lauri-Ellen Smith, APR
Owner, CAT 5 Crisis Communications, Inc.
lesmith@cat5communications.net
Member at Large
Enrico “Rick” Callender, APR
Chief Executive Officer, Valley Water
callenderr@aol.com
Member at Large
Rachael Gibson, APR
Chief of External Affairs, Valley Water
rgibson@valleywater.org
Member at Large
Capt. Brook DeWalt, APR+M, Fellow PRSA
Director of Public Affairs Operations, Office of the Secretary of Defense
brookdewalt@yahoo.com
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