MARK AMANN BEGAN HIS CAREEF WITH THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY after graduating from Colorado State University's School of Journalism and Technical Communication (News-Editorial/Photojournalism). With FEMA Amann assisted in 25 major disaster recovery operations as a public information officer, community relations officer and in the creative services department.

His experiences with FEMA include coordinating media relations for urban search and rescue teams at Ground Zero in New York, leading the public information response to Hurricane Ivan in Florida and developing emergency information products for Tropical Storm Allison's victims in Houston.

Amann left FEMA in 2004 to co-found NCI Communications, where he serves as creative director and oversees all aspects of multimedia production.  His specialty lies in leveraging a diverse array of communications products to tell the stories of NCI clients.  Whether overseeing the development of multimedia products or designing and executing strategic communications campaigns, he brings an insider’s understanding of government and the media to help clients reach their audience with critical messages.

Amann also has extensive experience working both as an instructor and developer of training products.  He teaches courses in basic public information and joint information center/joint information systems to local, county and state organizations throughout the country.

He also worked as an adjunct professor for the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory, working at eight military facilities throughout the country to train military personnel in public information, media relations, crisis communications and spokesperson strategies.

Amann’s work as a freelance journalist has been featured on such outlets as CNN, BBC Online, NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America and in newspapers and affiliates throughout the country.