Faculty Profile: Ronald Roberts

My career path has been anything but simple. It has taken me from a national cable country music variety show, to print and radio sports reporting, and public relations and instructing in higher education before landing in the public relations agency world – something I never imagined.

 

Prior to merging with Seigenthaler Public Relations and joining the Finn Partner family, I was with DVL Public Relations and Advertising for 23 years, serving as President and CEO at the time of the merger. My areas of specialization include:

crisis management, strategy and communications—certified in crisis management via the Institute for Crisis Management;

media training;

special event management;

corporate communications and community affairs.

 

I have had great pleasure in working with a number of client for many years including Bridgestone Americas, Nashville Electric Service, Nashville International Airport, AmSurg, the Tiger Woods Foundation, Bonnaroo Music Festival, and multiple restaurant companies/concepts.

 

Working my way back to the beginning – I arrived at DVL after a terrific experience in higher education first as the assistant director of public relations for a local university and later as an assistant professor teaching Journalism and PR. It was in the classroom that I learned the challenge of reaching difficult and varied audiences, in this case students.  That knowledge has provided me enormous insight to understanding situations and the tools needed to breakthrough communications barriers.

 

Before my foray into higher education I worked in television production as an assistant director of a live nightly talk show – think Jimmy Fallon or Jimmy Kimmel, only with a country music slant.  I learned more than I ever intended about the wonderful world of country music and the entertainment industry in general.  My television production experience has been invaluable in managing special events for clients.

 

Finally, I believe it’s very important to give back and to be a proactive part of my community; thus, I serve on the boards of numerous non-profit and civic organizations and am very active in my Church.