Ann Knabe

Professional History
When it comes to pedagogy in the classroom, Ann integrates a diverse background from the federal government, corporate, agency and nonprofit world. She is a dynamic teacher who brings energy and enthusiasm into academia. Her international experiences and crisis communication work enlighten students’ understanding of PR in a global context.

• Public Relations/Communications College Instructor – Academic Staff Level 2
  University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, January 1997 - present
  
  PR Writing Applications; Fundamentals of Speech Communication, Feature Writing, Public Relations Tactics I & II, Principles of PR, Public Relations Planning, Public Relations Strategies, Writing Applications in Public Relations. (Experience teaching online and face-to-face).        Teach various Public Relations Classes, Speech and Writing courses on a full-time basis. Chair of UWW Government Relations Committee.  Member of Individualized Major / Minor Committee, member of University Guide to Citizenship Committee, past faculty advisor for Whitewater Chapter of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America), past member of Chancellor’s Committee for Students with Disabilities, Chaired Awards Sub-committee.  Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2000, 2004 & 2005.
• Associate Editor – The Officer magazine – publication of the Reserve Officers Association, circulation 100,000+.     
• Public Affairs Officer – United States Air Force Reserve. More than 18 years public affairs work in internal communications, media relations, community relations and congressional relations.  Serve as liaison between White House Press Corps and local media during Presidential visit. Named top command public affairs officer, 1998, 2003; top print journalist in Air Force Reserve Command for year 2005. Developed the command’s first newsletter targeted to elected officials, The Legislator Update.  Wrote numerous strategic communications plans, including one for base closure actions. Taught crisis communication training for all squadron officers and commander’s key staff. Created local key messages and spot trained senior leadership for late-breaking press conferences. Volunteered for Joint Task Force Katrina for media flights. Flew international TV stations into New Orleans International Airport, profiling Air Force aeromedical evacuation missions. Currently hold the rank of Lt. Colonel.
• Chief of Public Affairs, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar            . Directed international, media operations, internal communications and community relations for largest Air Force wing in the war theater, comprised of 8,000 Airmen and 100+ aircraft. Hosted numerous media, including NY Times, Wall Street Journal, FOX news and other international media, resulting in wing’s story told to millions of people globally. Hundreds of stories direct-marketing to wire services, more than 50 international stories published online. Fully automated wing’s Hometown News Release Program, resulting in an increase in coverage by 400%. Flew media and public affairs missions into Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Ethiopia and other countries. Hosted Office of Secretary of Defense – Joint Civilian Orientation Conference at the wing twice in one year, a program targeting significant civic and business leaders with influence at the congressional level.
• Public Relations Account Executive –Kohnke-Hanneken. Worked in a Milwaukee-based integrated marketing communications agency with an emphasis on branding and strategic communications. Responsible for managing numerous business-to-business and consumer accounts. Developed comprehensive, strategic PR plans for clients. Executed strategies and tactics to achieve measurable results

Education and Affiliation

• Currently enrolled in Marquette University’s Interdisciplinary PhD Program – emphasis on Distance Learning, Public Relations and Psychology
• Master’s Degree in Mass Communication, Public Relations / Crisis Comm emphasis, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, minor Communication and Rhetorical Studies – Marquette University – Milwaukee.
• Air Command and Staff College Graduate – Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base
• Squadron Officers School – Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base