-----Original Message-----
From: Billy & Nancy Birdwell [mailto:[log in to unmask]]


I am a Tennessean completing my military obligation and a national member of
the PRSA.  I thought it prudent to contact local chapters in my home state
as I seek employment "back home."

I have more than 20 years of leadership experience in progressively more
responsible positions in Air Force public affairs.  They range from local to
national to international responsibilities.  You will find my résumé below
for your members' reference.

I would greatly appreciate any leads or advice you or other chapter members
may pass my way as I re-enter the civilian work force.

Again, thank you for taking time to read this and passing it along to your
chapter members.

Sincerely,

BILLY E. BIRDWELL
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF
Public Affairs Officer

Résumé follows
Writing sample: http://www.aetc.randolph.af.mil/pa/AETCNS/stories/00-267.htm

Billy E. Birdwell

1108 Morningmist Lane  Schertz, TX 78154  210.566.9016
[log in to unmask]

OBJECTIVE: A position of significant responsibility in Public Relations

VALUE OFFERED

My strength lies in the ability to set challenging goals, build productive
teams, and lead those teams in crisis management, operational and deliberate
media planning and employee communication.  I am adept at applying strategic
vision to practical situations in a customer-centered environment.
CAREER OVERVIEW
My management and leadership skills have been honed as an Air Force
journalist.  My career is founded on leading teams of skilled specialists in
challenging situations.  Today, I manage a complex, multi-media based
organization supporting a major education and training command.  I am also a
proven press secretary and event planner with regional experience in Japan
and the Pacific. I possess a strong background in:
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS  MEDIA RELATIONS  SENIOR LEADER TRAINING
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS  PROBLEM SOLVING  MANAGEMENT
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CHIEF of the NEWS DIVISION, HEADQUARTERS, AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
COMMAND, RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS, JULY 2000-PRESENT.  In the position
of primary responsibility for media activities, I:
Produced and coordinated public statements following the crash of a new
training aircraft.
Created the training syllabus, customized scenarios, and conducted training
on media relations.
Managed all employee communication for the organization, including web site
oversight
Supervised the creation and dissemination of news articles for thirteen
on-base newspapers.
Developed a media relations plan to increase senior leader exposure in the
news.
Authored, then presented briefings on various topics for senior leaders and
visiting VIPs
DEPUTY DIRECTOR of PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HEADQUARTERS U.S.FORCES JAPAN, YOKOTA AIR
BASE, JAPAN, JUNE 1997-JUNE 2000.  As senior US military spokesperson in
Japan I:
Authored an immediate crisis response to a missile launch over Japan, from
North Korea.
Formulated plans and policy to maintain training bases and receive
cost-sharing support from Japan.
Developed strategic plans to counter expected local resident objections to
US unit field training.
Created the first media training program for the most senior US and Japanese
military leaders.
Secured news coverage on ecological hazards around Tokyo, prompting major
government cleanup.
CHIEF of PUBLIC AFFAIRS, 374TH AIRLIFT WING, YOKOTA AIR BASE, JAPAN, APRIL
1996-JUNE 1997.  While directing a staff operating in both English and
Japanese languages, and being responsible for public relations, during a
challenging year, I:
Organized and conducted advanced media tours to ensure widespread news
distribution.
Invited and escorted local environmental groups to tour base clean up,
gaining trust of local officials.
Planned and executed a major news conference after release of an American
held by North Korea.
Published weekly English and monthly Japanese newspapers to foster
multicultural understanding.
Prepared and re-bid a local publishing contract resulting in $70,000 annual
publishing cost savings.

Billy E. Birdwell       Page 2
CHIEF of PUBLIC AFFAIRS, VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA, MARCH 1993-APRIL
1996.  As the commander's spokesperson concerning all matters involving the
operation of the military's western spaceport, including public and media
relations, in a demanding three years, I:
Led the base newspaper to top Air force honors through coaching, training
and equipment upgrades.
Directed all local PR efforts for "60-Minutes" coverage of Russia's top
rocket forces general to the US.
Conducted media relations for more than a dozen space launches, including
communication satellites.
Planned, organized and conducted a multi-state, multi-base, 2-day
informational tour for local leaders.
Managed award-winning, multi-discipline team highlighting base's ecological
program for Earth Week.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF OFFICER, OFFICE of the SECRETARY of the AIR FORCE, THE
PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC, AUGUST 1990-FEBRUARY 1993.  I was selected to be a
member of a team charged with creating, coordinating and executing national
media relations plans.  A major accomplishment was declassifying and
releasing information on major force structure changes.  Other
responsibilities included:
Developed plans to introduce new Air Force command structure to the media
and military personnel.
Collected, reviewed, sanitized, and cleared then distributed nation-wide,
Gulf War video materials.
Organized major news conferences to announce annual budgets.  Kept facts,
not criticism foremost.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS.  Previously as a mid-level officer, I held a variety of
assignments, including:
Chief of Internal Information, HQ Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base,
HI, July 1986-July 1989
Chief of Cadet Wing Media, US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, March
1982-June 1986
§Chief of Community Relations, 1606th Air Base Wing, Kirtland AFB, NM,
October 1979-March 1982
EDUCATION
MA, Journalism, University of Texas, 1991
Graduate study, Managerial Economics, University of Oklahoma, 1989
BA, Journalism, Southwest Texas State University, 1974
Leadership and Management Training: I attended a variety of schools and
workshops on Communications, Public Affairs, Instructional Systems
Development and Crisis Management.  Major professional management/leadership
courses include: Air War College and Air Command and Staff College.
Computer Skills: Twenty years as a computer user.  I am competent in the
following computer programs: Windows 2000, MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and
Power Point.  I use all of these in my current positions and have received
formal training on all of them.  I also have experience in PageMaker, Photo
Shop, and HTML.
OTHER
Security Clearances Held: Top Secret
Professional Associations: Public Relations Society of America.