Ryan Patrick Hughes

Washington, D.C.
(224) 723-8688 | RyanPatrickHughes@Gmail.com

Core Competencies

Ryan Hughes is a senior public relations professional focused on providing clients with media relations and crisis communication support,
particularly in the political arena. As Senior Account Executive at the bipartisan public affairs firm ROKK Solutions, Hughes managed high level
media relations for clients in both the private and public sectors. In this capacity, Hughes has developed close working relationships with reporters
and producers at the local, national and international level. He joined ROKK Solutions from Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, where he served in a
pivotal role handling conservative media relations for Governor Scott Walker’s (R-WI) campaign for President, and later managed key aspects of the
surrogate booking operation for Governor John Kasich’s campaign for President.

• Generates earned media opportunities for clients to best showcase their message at an international, national and local level
• Provides crisis communications strategies to best respond to client needs when they’re needed most
• Frames issues and advocacy efforts in a way that best amplifies a client’s intended message while catering to the intended audience
• Develops unique communications strategies for each client in order to create and maintain a positive public profile

Professional Experience

ROKK Solutions, Washington, D.C. May 2016 – Present

Senior Account Executive May 2016 - Present
• Manages multiple high-profile accounts including public figures, trade organizations and issue advocacy organizations
• Develops a unique communications strategy for each client in order to create and maintain a positive public profile
• Ensures positive press coverage of clients by maintaining personal relationships with members of the press
• Monitors the news on a 24/7 basis, with particular attention to issues that affect clients in order to effectively respond
• Provides crisis communication consultation promptly in order to avoid negative press on any situation that may arise

The Bonjean Company, Washington, D.C. May 2016 – Present

Senior Account Executive May 2016 – Present
• Manages multiple high-profile accounts including public figures, trade organizations and issue advocacy organizations
• Develops a unique communications strategy for each client in order to create and maintain a positive public profile
• Ensures positive press coverage of clients by maintaining personal relationships with members of the press
• Monitors the news on a 24/7 basis with particular attention to issues that affect clients in order to effectively respond
• Provides crisis communication consultation promptly in order to avoid negative press on any situation that may arise

Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, Alexandria, VA September 2014 – May 2016
Account Executive September 2014 – May 2016
• Managed multiple high-profile accounts including public figures, political campaigns and issue advocacy organizations
• Developed a unique communications strategy for each client in order to create and maintain a positive public profile
• Ensured positive press coverage of clients by maintaining personal relationships with members of the press
• Monitored the news on a 24/7 basis with particular attention to issues that affect clients in order to effectively respond
• Provided crisis communication consultation promptly in order to avoid negative press on any situation that may arise

Office of Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, Chicago, IL May 2011-Sept 2013
Assistant to the Treasurer June 2013-Sept 2013
• Traveled statewide with the Treasurer to events and meetings as his personal aide
• Provided administrative and personal assistance to the Treasurer in the office and on the road
• Wrote press releases and op-eds in coordination with local media to promote the Treasurer’s events
• Managed and kept records of the treasurer’s daily and weekly schedule
Scheduling and Community Affairs Intern May 2011-Sept 2011; Jan 2012-May 2012
• Accompanied the Treasurer to events and meetings as his personal aide
• Provided administrative and personal assistance to the Treasurer in the office and on the road
• Created a 480-page comprehensive report on regional data for all 102 counties of Illinois
• Responded to various event invitations offered to the Treasurer
• Promoted to Assistant to the Treasurer after the previous staffer’s resignation

Office of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Madison, WI Sept 2011-June 2013

External Relations Coordinator Sept 2012-June 2013
• Traveled statewide to advance events prior to Governor’s arrival in order to set up event and confirm event logistics
• Cooperate with leaders of counties, municipalities, businesses and non-profit organizations to establish relationships
• Worked with Wisconsin State Patrol and local police to establish security for Governor’s participation in events
• Constructed events in ways that sends the Governor's intended message to the media
• Created word-processed detailed event scenario briefings that detail every aspect of events for Governor’s review
• Greeted, briefed and walked the Governor through the event plan upon his arrival to each event
• Personally briefed the Governor on event logistics, key dignitaries and agenda upon his arrival
Administrative and Scheduling Intern Sept 2011-Jan 2012
• Provided administrative assistance in the executive office
• Summarized and organized scheduling requests for the Governor’s convenience
 • Responded to scheduling requests through written letters
• Provided assistance to the Governor’s guests at the front desk and with his constituents on the phone

Republican National Committee, Washington, D.C. May 2012-Sept 2012

Press Office Intern May 2012-Sept 2012
• Prepared daily reports of news clips from battleground states for staff
• Created media contact lists for each state, including state republican surrogates, press contacts and media markets
• Assisted the Communications Director in research and special projects depending on the week’s messaging campaign
• Provided administrative assistance in the Press Office as needed

Education

Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL Sept 2013-Aug 2014

Bachelor of the Arts: Political Science (Senior standing; In Progress)

University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI Sept 2010-June

2013 Bachelor of the Arts: Political Science and Economics (Transferred)