Mark R. Phillips |
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Vice President, Communications
Mark Phillips came to the United Service Organizations following a career of service in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. He served in assignments throughout the United States and Europe, and on operational deployments in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Bosnia, Croatia, and the United Kingdom.
As a public affairs officer, Mark built a strong portfolio of effective communication supporting combat, disaster, and humanitarian relief operations; education, research, development, and acquisition programs; and high-profile diplomatic, legal, and environmental issues. He creatively integrated diverse communication capabilities (such as public affairs, legislative liaison, recruiting, and marketing); harnessed the power of emerging communication technologies; used cross-functional team approaches to effectively manage communication programs; incorporated formative research and evaluative assessments to make communication programs more effective; and streamlined communication planning to achieve strategic communication effects.
As a doctoral candidate (University of Maryland’s Department of Communication) and an accredited public relations practitioner (APR from the Public Relations Society of America), he brings a unique blend of communication theory and research with rich field experience in public affairs and operations management. In addition to his doctoral studies, Mark also earned a B.A. in art from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Public Administration from Troy State University, and graduated from the Air Force’s Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer School, the Defense Information School, and other military education and training courses.
Having been on the receiving end of USO programs during many deployments and assignments, Mark understands how much this support means to America’s service members and their families. Why did Mark join the USO team? Because serving with the USO is a way for him to provide meaningful, direct support to those who put their lives on the line for America every day.