Experience

Commonwealth Consultants

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Consultant - Director of Community Outreach & Communications

  • Mar 2018 - Present

  Commonwealth Consultants is a leader in providing public relations services to corporations in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. We are the “Go-To” firm for Fortune 500 corporations as well as companies of all sizes. Our expertise combined with our extensive relationships with media, business, political and community leaders enable us to develop and implement strategies that set our clients apart from their competitors. Let us help you be successful! Commonwealth Consultants is a leader in providing public relations services to corporations in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. We are the “Go-To” firm for Fortune 500 corporations as well as companies of all sizes. Our expertise combined with our extensive relationships with media, business, political and community leaders enable us to develop and implement strategies that set our clients apart from their competitors. Let us help you be successful!



Commission on Climate Change & Resiliency

• Commissioner

  • Jan 2018 - Present

  Alan Etter was selected for the Commission for his deep connection to and experience in emergency preparedness and management. He has served as Chief of Public Information for the District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department and the District's Office of Unified Communications (DC 911 & 311). He has also served as a lead consultant for the First Responder Network Authority, an independent agency within the US Department of Commerce working to build the nation's first broadband communications network for first responders.Alan is a 20+ year resident of the District, living for a brief time in Ward 4's Mount Pleasant neighborhood and, since 2001, as a live-aboard boater at Ward 6's Southwest Waterfront. He has long been active in waterfront activities and organizations, particularly those which serve to raise awareness of the city's waterways. He has served as a volunteer for the Washington Waterfront Association as well as the National Maritime Heritage Foundation, Port of Washington Yacht Club, Capital Yacht Club and Friendship Fire Association. For many years, Alan has served as the Master of Ceremonies for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, held historically on the city’s Southwest Waterfront.He began his career in Washington as a Journalist, working as an anchor and reporter for WTOP News for more than a decade. From there, he served in key positions in public safety and outreach in District Government as well as Vice President for University Relations at the University of the District of Columbia. He has also served in two administration transition processes for the District. He currently works as a consultant and Director of Community Relations and Communications with Commonwealth Consultants. Alan received a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications (Journalism) from Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a Master of Public Administration (Public Management) Degree from the University of the District of Columbia.



Office of Unified Communications - DC 911/311

• Director of Public Information & Outreach - Spokesperson

  • May 2016 - Apr 2018

  • Respond to news media inquiries and serve as official agency spokesperson.• Design public outreach and information campaigns and analyze effectiveness.• Perform editing and research for writing and distributing news releases, articles, strategic communication, outreach, public affairs media relations, publications, presentations and online components of agency activities. • Advise director on communications and outreach initiatives, such as new texting platforms and Next Generation 911 preparation.• Evaluate performance in promotion interviews and act as panelist in the hiring process.• Create communications strategies for community meetings and interactions.



WTOP News

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Anchor Reporter Editor

  • Mar 2013 - Jun 2016

  • Serve as key guest news program host.• Conduct interviews live on the air and taped for use in news broadcasts. • Compile and edit relevant news for air.• Determine the importance of events and issues for placement in news programs. • Serve as key guest news program host.• Conduct interviews live on the air and taped for use in news broadcasts. • Compile and edit relevant news for air.• Determine the importance of events and issues for placement in news programs.



First Responder Network Authority - US Dept. of Commerce

• Subject Matter Expert, Consultant (Information Mgmt. Resources)

  • Dec 2013 - Mar 2016

  • Provided communications leadership for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), an independent authority established by Congress to ensure the creation of a nationwide broadband network for first responders. • Consulted on topics of leadership and direction in the implementation of strategic communications, outreach, public affairs, media relations, publications, presentations, and online components of agency activities.• Drafted speeches, presentations and other materials for the general manager, deputy general manager and other agency professionals to be used in high publicity events across the country. • Researched and prepared technical writings and edited online and print publications. • Analyzed strategic communications and agency planning while serving as the subject matter expert on public safety related projects.• Spearheaded design of the agency website and other publications.• Liaised with leadership at multiple levels as well as key stakeholders to develop key messaging.



University of the District of Columbia

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President for University Relations & Institutional Advancement

  • Jul 2009 - Apr 2013

  • Reviewed all matters related to public affairs and external relations while providing strategic and technical assistance to the president of the university as a senior executive. • Authored numerous speeches and op-eds for the president, university officers and trustees. Drafted and reviewed presentations for a wide variety of audiences, including the DC City Counsil and Congress. • Monitored all executive correspondence. • Functioned as a chief of staff and assumed all related responsibilities, including organizing cabinet priorities, strategic planning, establishing administrative goals and matrices to measure accomplishment, oversaw all correspondence on behalf of the president and the board of trustees.• Regulated communications staff in their professional development and product evaluation. Mediated dispute resolution amongst staff and supervised the hiring, termination, promotion and discipline of personnel.• Directed fund raising activities and foundation relations along with development by overseeing all institutional advancement.• Oversaw web development, interacting marketing activities, public affairs, alumni affairs and communications. • Hosted programs and provided direction for a 24-hour cable television station. • Developed and cultivated relationships with general public, news and information media, key officials, agency stakeholders and several community groups in order to communicate information and advance goals of the university. • Pioneered the development of campaigns aimed at increasing enrollment in academic programs.• Assessed effectiveness of the university’s public affairs program and provided advice on other avenues of potential improvement.



District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department

• Chief Public Information Officer

  • Dec 2000 - Jul 2009

  • Acted on behalf of the Chief of Fire & EMS Department of the Nation’s Capital. Served as official spokesperson for the agency as well as the city of Washington, DC during high scale public safety events, including fires, hazardous material events, power outages, subway incidents and events effecting the general public. • Charted successful course of development of social media component to keep public informed of various public safety incidents. • Mentored the Mayor’s communication team by acting as a lead information specialist during high impact events and projects.• Wrote and delivered speeches and presentations to wide variety of agencies in various settings pertaining to public safety, including presentations to be presented at council hearings and before Congress.• Integrated media relations and public outreach, and analyzed their impact and effectiveness.



WTOP News

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Anchor, Reporter

  • Sep 1992 - Jan 2001

  • Obtained and compiled information from varied sources that included local police releases and scanners, PR releases, listener tips, reports from co-workers in the field, and tips from sources, for news and public affairs broadcasts according to current events and public interest.• Recognized for outstanding reporting several times by the Associated Press and the Edward R. Murrow Foundation. • Fostered relationships with local and national government. • Obtained and compiled information from varied sources that included local police releases and scanners, PR releases, listener tips, reports from co-workers in the field, and tips from sources, for news and public affairs broadcasts according to current events and public interest.• Recognized for outstanding reporting several times by the Associated Press and the Edward R. Murrow Foundation. • Fostered relationships with local and national government.



WRVA - Virginia News Network

• Anchor - Reporter

  • Aug 1986 - Feb 1990

  • Conducted hourly newscasts of state, local and national stories, including breaking and enterprise stories. • Reported hourly newscasts for WRVA News and Virginia News Network, a state-based network of radio stations.• Arranged for affiliate coverage when necessary. • Conducted hourly newscasts of state, local and national stories, including breaking and enterprise stories. • Reported hourly newscasts for WRVA News and Virginia News Network, a state-based network of radio stations.• Arranged for affiliate coverage when necessary.