For Additional Information:
For additional information, please contact me at leonardsipes@gmail.com.
Awards-Public Relations and Social Media
- Continue to be quoted by multiple news sources, Associated Press-“Leonard Sipes Jr., a retired law enforcement and government spokesman who has written and taught extensively about media relations.”
- Featured writer-Blue Magazine-2021
- LinkedIn Advisor-2020
- Described as running, “A perfect public relations program,” by Washington Post columnist Colby King, December 2016.
- “Nobody else is doing it,” Sipes said when asked by he goes beyond simply posting agency press releases” (by adding websites, television, a blog, and audio podcasts). Peter Hermann, Baltimore Sun.
- 2016-Best Customer Service-CGOV
- 2016-Finalist-Best Podcast-National Association of Government Communicators
- 2016-Forbes-America’s Best Employers-based on outside reviews of companies and governments
- 2016-Finalist-Best Audio-National Association of Government Communicators
- 2016 Finalist-Communicator of the Year-National Association of Government Communicators
- 2016-Top award for best teamwork-CGOV
- 2016-Finalist-National Customer Service Award Winner-CGOV2016-Two first-place awards for television hosting and production-DCTV
- 2015-Two first-place awards for television hosting and producing-DCTV
- 2015-Described as “The best government podcaster in America” per the moderator of an international communications conference in Washington, D.C.
- 2015-Best Podcast-National Association of Government Communicators
- 2015-Best Audio-National Association of Government Communicators
- 2015 Finalist-Communicator of the Year-National Association of Government Communicators
- 2014-Finalist-Communicator of the Year-National Association of Government Communicators
- 2014-National Customer Service Award Winner-CGOV
- 2014-Best Use of Technology-CGOV
- 2014-Top awards for podcast and audio, National Association of Government Communicators
- 2014-Three regional awards for television production and hosting
- Award for Excellence in Public Affairs-National Association of Government Communicators-2013
- Website of the Week-Government Video Magazine-2013
- One of the top 5% most viewed @LinkedIn profiles for 2012
- Television and radio shows featured by the White House and major agencies and websites
- Television show joins the White House, the Pentagon and NASA as a “Top Channel” in a new internet television channel
- Work featured in a Department of Justice document on social media for government
- AOL Video; Truvo, Digg–highest rated videos
- Podcast Pickle; Blogged -top podcasts
- All-Star Speaker for social media-Advanced Learning Institute
- Award for contributions to the Correctional Education Association
- Award for marketing-Combined Federal Charities
- First place award-Washington Film Festival-technical assistance
- Award for Significant Community Impact for Television Production-DCTV
- Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals
- National Media Award-American Probation and Parole Association
- Social media site called a “National Model of Communications” by the National Community Corrections Association
- First Place-Television Production-American Correctional Association
- First Place-Television Production-DCTV
- First Place-Television Production-Prince Georges Television
- Top-Ten Government Websites-Government Computer Magazine
- Website of the Month-Government Video Magazine
- Finalist (two years) Fed Pitch
- Included in the federal “Best Practices” page, General Services Administration.
- Award from the US Department of Justice for work on the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign, the nation’s most successful public service advertising campaign
- Award from the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Association for successful statewide anti-theft media campaign
- Four awards for national clearinghouse operations-National Criminal Justice Reference Service, National Institute of Justice, US Department of Justice
- Received Maryland Governor’s Citations for:
- Exemplary Public Information Office
- Emergency Management
- Saving’s Bond Campaign and United Charities Campaign
- Successful statewide carjacking media campaign
- The return of American hostages before the start of the first Middle East war
- Received Governor’s “Salute to Excellence” for nomination for state employee of the year for all state agencies
Crisis Media Management:
Successfully handled major events that received international, national and regional news coverage. Examples include:
- Hurricane Katrina (first non-FEMA employee at FEMA headquarters working public affairs)
- 9-11 events
- hurricanes
- tornadoes
- blizzards
- plane crashes
- community evacuations
- prison riots
- major crimes
- police shootings
- the return of American hostages before the start of the Middle East war at BWI airport,
- And endless news stories with major policy considerations.
Education:
- The Johns Hopkins University—Baltimore, MD: Certificate of Advanced Study (post-Master’s degree) — Liberal Arts
- University of Baltimore–Baltimore, MD: Master of Science –Criminal Justice/Criminology
- Towson University—Towson, MD: Bachelor of Science–General Studies/Law Enforcement and Criminology