PUBLISHER:
Public Affairs
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
PHONE: (540) 568-3621
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Don Egle
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Don Egle, APR Director of Public Affairs and University Spokesman (540) 568-5322 Cell: (540) 560-7770 egledk@jmu.edu |
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Don Egle is the director of public affairs and university spokesman at James Madison University. He is responsible for leading the organization’s public affairs efforts, which include media relations, crisis communications, community relations and issues management.
Before joining JMU, Don was the director of university relations at Liberty University. There, he was responsible for media relations, web communications, creative services and photography. Don’s management and communication experience spans multiple industries including corporate, non-profit and higher education. He has worked with some of the largest and most reputable media organizations in the world, including the New York Times, BBC, Associated Press, CNN, Newsweek, USA Today and Fox News. Don attended Liberty University, where he received his bachelor's degree in public relations and his MBA. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Don is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board and is one of the youngest APR’s in the country. |
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Bill Wyatt Media Relations Manager (540) 568-3621 Cell (540) 820-2466 wyattwj@jmu.edu |
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As the media relations manager for James Madison University, Bill Wyatt coordinates the university’s interaction with print, broadcast and online journalists. Prior to his tenure with JMU, Bill served as the director of media relations for the National Conference of State Legislatures, where he helped position the organization as the preeminent new source for information on state and local public policy. In addition to working with members of the statehouse press corps in all 50 states, Bill interacted with national news outlets such as the Associated Press, the Washington Post, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times on a regular basis. Bill’s broadcast appearances include NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight, among others. Bill received his bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University in western Maryland. He and his wife, Carey, have five children. |
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Janet L. Smith Media Relations Specialist (540) 568-8008 smithjl@jmu.edu |
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A 1981 JMU graduate in communication arts, Janet has worked as an information specialist in JMU's Office of Media Relations since 1986, full time since 1989. After college, the Woodstock, Va., native worked as a newspaper reporter in Lexington, Va. Janet and her husband, Steve, have a son, and live in Dayton. Contact Janet about:
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Eric Gorton Media Relations Specialist (540) 568-3674 gortonej@jmu.edu |
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Eric, a 1986 JMU graduate in communications, joined the Office of Media Relations in March 2005. Previously, Eric worked for four years in public relations for the Virginia Department of Transportion and for 12 years as a newspaper reporter and editor in Harrisonburg. Eric and his wife, Linda, who works in JMU's Office of Admissions, live in Harrisonburg with their two sons. Contact Eric about:
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Jamie Marsh Media Relations Specialist (540) 568-4908 marshjs@jmu.edu |
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Jamie, a 2003 Eastern Mennonite University graduate in English and communications, joined the Office of Media Relations in December 2006. Previously, Jamie worked in public relations for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and for 9 years as a reporter, copywriter, and host at WSVA Radio in Harrisonburg. Jamie and her husband, Nate, who works in JMU’s Office of University Marketing, live in Harrisonburg with their dog, Andi. Contact Jamie about:
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| While the Media Relations staffers have specific news assignments, all of the news staff can answer questions and work in areas outside those designated news "beats." Contact anyone on the staff for information or assistance with news. |