Moderated by David Vossbrink, Communications Counsel, retired Communications Director, City of San Jose
Public information officers work at the intersection of communications and public policy, representing a broad range of challenging and rewarding PR career opportunities. The pandemic tested us all, but especially those responsible for getting clear, accurate and timely information out to large populations. PRSA-SV Board Member David Vossbrink moderates this panel of public sector communicators to discuss what influenced their careers and how they’ve all successfully engaged with diverse communities.
About the Panel:
Linh Hoang, Communications Manager, Valley Water, oversees marketing strategies, comms and media/PR activities for the South Bay’s principal water supply and flood control agency district. She’s been a public-sector communicator for nearly 15 years, previously with Valley Transportation Authority. Prior to moving into local government, Linh was a reporter, producer and editor for local broadcast news at KNTV and KLIV Radio in San Jose.
Carolina Camarena, Communications Director, City of San Jose, has served with the City of San Jose for nearly 25 years. She’s led award-winning public information campaigns for several departments and programs, including Environmental Services, Parks Recreation & Neighborhood Services and the Emergency Operations Center during the pandemic. Carolina currently leads citywide comms strategies for the City Manager’s Office.
Sean Webby, Public Communications Officer, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, has served in this role for a decade. Previously, he was a journalist for 25 years in New York City, Vermont, Connecticut and with the San Jose Mercury News, where he was twice named Northern California’s Investigative Reporter of the Year. Sean lectures and teaches classes on media relations for law enforcement command staff throughout California.
David Vossbrink, APR, Communications Counsel and panel moderator, retired as communications director for the City of San Jose after a four-decade career in Bay Area local government. He currently provides communications consulting services to local public agencies and universities. A PRSA-SV past president, David received the Chapter’s Legacy Award in 2019 and the Paul B. Clark Award from the California Association of Public Information Officials in 2002.