Ragan adds chief communicators to advisory board
Communications heads from Honeywell, Xometry and the State of Tennessee Government join comms leaders from a range of backgrounds, countries and industries.
Ragan Communications has added three new communications leaders to the Ragan Advisory Board, comprised of accomplished communicators with expertise in internal and employee communications, change management, employee experience and more. Drawn from a wide range of industries and organizations worldwide, the board will help shape Ragan’s coverage and conference programming in the year ahead.
The new board members join our existing advisory board and help Ragan.com continue to function as an indispensable asset for comms pros of all stripes — with a common goal of informing and uplifting our audience while championing strategic communications and growth across business lines.
Our new board members include:
Karl Houston, CCO, State of Tennessee Government
Karl Houston, the Chief Communication Officer for the Tennessee State Government’s Department of Human Resources, is an inspiring and accomplished leader dedicated to achieving excellence in marketing, communication, change management, and branding. He has successfully driven growth, created value, and increased revenue for both the public and private sectors. Karl has demonstrated a remarkable track record in his leadership roles. His passion for professional growth and excellence has built an impressive career.
With a visionary and results-driven approach, Karl has the demonstrated ability to leverage data and strategies to drive change and growth, which creates value. He has a proven track record of assembling and leading high-performing, diverse teams that deliver high-converting marketing and communication campaigns that meet business objectives and deliver engagement
Stacey Jones, Chief Communicator, Honeywell
Stacey Jones is an award-winning corporate communications leader with over 25 years of experience. As Honeywell’s Chief Communicator, she leads its global brand and external communications, positioning the company as one of the world’s most innovative organizations, a business partner of choice and a leading employer. Her responsibilities span a range of initiatives that promote and protect Honeywell’s brand and engage all stakeholders — including brand strategy and management, global media and analyst relations, corporate initiatives, financial communications, issues management and executive positioning.
Jones is a member of Arthur W. Page Society, serves as immediate past chair of the board of directors of the Institute of Public Relations, works for equality as a member of PRSA’s Diversity Action Alliance Advisory Council, and regularly speaks at industry events.
Jones started her career as a journalist in Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago before moving on to agency and corporate leadership roles. A graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio, she lives in Charlotte with her husband and two sons. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, family hikes, museums and travel.
Matthew Hutchison, CCO, Xometry
Matthew Hutchison is a trusted C-suite advisor and skilled communications executive who has led public communications and public affairs for major technology and media companies, including Forbes, Dow Jones, Tribune Co., Paramount/CBS, Apple and more. Currently, he drives global communications and public affairs for Xometry (NASDAQ: XMTR), a mid-cap publicly traded technology company whose AI-powered marketplace helps clients worldwide strengthen their supply chains.
Hutchison is an expert in helping organizations navigate the current geopolitical environment, reach their business goals, motivate employees and align narratives across all stakeholders. His experience spans brand storytelling, financial communications, crisis communications and reputation/risk management, and employee engagement.
Among his accomplishments, Hutchison has driven product PR for Apple as it repositioned itself as a consumer products PR company; Guided global consumer communications for Dell as it sought to regain market share and mindshare with consumers; Repositioned ViacomCBS’ MTV, VH1 and CBS brands as they embraced new digital distribution models; Taken Tribune Company through a split and standing up its newspaper and digital arm as a publicly traded company; Counseled senior executives and boards of directors on major issues affecting corporate and executive reputation.
Additionally, he helmed communications for Forbes’ rapid expansion worldwide while also guiding the executive team through the pandemic.
Hutchison is a champion of his teams. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and is the dog-father to two long-haired Weimaraner pups.
Thank you, Justin, for the appointment to the Board. I’m eager to connect with my fellow peers and champion our industry at a time when it’s never mattered more to organizations, their employees, and future Comms practitioners.