Education
1991 - Ph.D. - Mass Communication
University of Southern Mississippi
Major: Public Relations
Minors: Advertising and Political Science
Dissertation Topic: “Let Jim Handle It”: James C. Hagerty, The Media and The Eisenhower Administration.”
1984 - Master of Arts - Public Relations
Ball State University
1976 Bachelor of Arts - American Military History
Tulane University
Current Position
2014- Present: FEMA Part-time Public Affairs/Information Instructor for Awareness, Basic Public Information, Advanced Public Information and Master Public Information Officer Courses. Additionally, part of FEMA’s Public Affairs Team that is continually evaluating and improving all Public Affairs Instruction material.
2003-Present: President/CEO/International Media Relations Trainer- for Trahan & Associates: A Media Relations, Crisis & Risk, Strategic, Multicultural, Presentation and Writing Skills and “Godfather” Communications training firm. I provide custom-tailored and interactive Communications/relationships building training which increases each of my clients’ communications/relationships effectiveness with their targeted publics/stakeholders. I also provide Presentation and Technical Writing Skills Workshops to improve my client’s abilities to effectively communicate complex information in a persuasive manner to their targeted publics. Since 2003, I have successfully trained 3,500 people yearly how to successfully work with all types of reporters in: The USA-numerous DOD, US Army, USACE-Division-District and National-level organizations, US Navy, US Air Force, US Coast Guard, US Marines, Department of Interior, US EPA, non-profit organizations, educational, police departments, fire departments and corporations. Also in England, Russia, Norway, Belgium, Paraguay, Mexico, and the Netherlands.
Teaching Experience
2007-Present: University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies (UFMCS) trains and educates Red Team leaders, members, and practitioners in Communications, Negotiations and team building for deployment in The Middle East.
2007-Present: Georgia State University-Public Relations Professor & GSU PRSSA Faculty Advisor.
2006-Present: Towson University-Online Emergency Communication & Management Course (On-Line)
2003-2006: Tulane University & the University of Southern Mississippi- Public Relations Part-time Undergraduate & Graduate Instructor.
1997 – 2003: Defense Information School
Master Public Affairs Instructor, Chief-Mobile Training Team, Resident Department of Defense Media Relations & Mass Communications Expert. Since 1998, I have superbly trained 3,500 people yearly how to successfully deal with the media in 46 US States, England, Norway, France, Belgium, Paraguay, Mexico, and The Netherlands.
1997 – 2003: Hood College - taught Public Relations Courses and advised the PRSSA Chapter
1997 – 2003: University of Virginia - taught Public Relations Courses.
1997 – 2003: University of Maryland - taught undergraduate Public Relations Courses.
1996 - Present: Central Michigan University
Graduate Public Relations Faculty-Public Relations, Global Leadership & Multicultural Communications classes.
1994 Summer: Defense Information School
Chief Instructor in Public Affairs and Media Relations
1992 Summer: Defense Information School
Instructor in Community Relations and Media Relations
1991 - 1997: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Faculty Advisor for the Dr. Joe Trahan, APR, PRSSA Chapter
1991 Summer: Defense Information School
Chief Instructor in Media Relations, Community Relations and Public Affairs
1990 Summer: Defense Information School
Instructor in Media Relations, Newswriting and Community Relations
1989 - 1991: University of Southern Mississippi
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
1987 - 1989: University of Southwestern Louisiana
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
1984 - 1987: Louisiana State University - Shreveport
Instructor of Public Relations
1982 - 1983: U.S. Army Adjutant General Finance School
Courses Taught
Advertising
Understanding Mass Media Advertising
Advertising Campaigns and Advertising Copywriting
Communication
Fundamentals of Speech Communication for Freshmen and Sophomores
Mass Communication Introduction to Mass Media
Leadership
Global Leadership
Military History
Battle of Chancellorsville
Civil War
World War II
Media Relations
Managing Media Relations
Mass Media
Mass Media in American Society
Multicultural Communication & Diversity Public Relations
Introduction to Public Relations
Ethics in Public Relations
Fundamentals of Public Relations
Public Relations Case Problems and Campaigns
Public Relations Management and Media Relations
Public Relations Research
Public Relations Publications
Public Relations Writing
PRSA Preparation Course for Candidates Seeking Accreditation (APR) for ten PRSA Chapters
Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
How to deliver a persuasive speech every time you speak!
Writing Workshops
Write Right Every Time
Using the right word every time you write.
Communicating with powerful words that have meaning to your receivers.
Military Education
1990 Graduate Cross Cultural Communication Course
1990 Graduate Middle East Orientation Course
1990 Graduate African Orientation Course
1989 Graduate Command & General Staff College
1988 Graduate Senior Public Affairs Officer Course
1982 Graduate Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course
1981 Graduate Public Affairs Officer Course
1979 Graduate Military Personnel Officer Course
1978 Graduate Armor Officer Basic Course
Professional Public Relations / Affairs Leadership Experience:
Military Experience Summary
1997 – 1999: U.S. Army Reserve Commander, 314th Public Affairs Operations Center. Also, primary spokesperson for my command. (PAOC) in Birmingham, AL
1996 - 1997: U.S. Army Reserve National Media Coordinator and US Army Public Affairs Doctrine, Policies and Practices development staff officer.
1995 - 1996: Public Affairs Officer and primary spokesperson for The 143D Transportation Command
1994 - 1995: Commander and Primary spokesperson for The 209th Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment
1994: Assistant Operations Officer and Deputy Spokesperson for The Public Affairs/Media Relations/Media Support and White House Press Secretary for The 50th Anniversary of Operation Overlord Joint Information Bureau in Normandy, France. I successfully assisted 9,000 International Media in telling the story of our veterans’ accomplishment of the century.
1993: Official U.S. Army Support Spokesperson for The National Scout Jamboree at Ft. A.P. Hill, VA
1992: Assistant Operations Officer and Deputy Spokesperson for Presidential Task Force Hurricane Andrew Joint Information Center
1991: Executive Officer & Spokesperson- for The 314th PAD (PCH) - Public Affairs Detachment - Press Camp Headquarters
1987 - 1991: Assistant Public Affairs Officer responsible for Media Relations and Primary Spokesperson for The 377th TAACOM
1984 - 1986: Public Affairs Officer and Primary Spokesperson for The 4013th USAG
1983 - 1984: Administrative Officer and primary Spokesperson for The Louisiana National Guard 769th Engineer Battalion.
1982 - 1983: Military History Instructor, U.S. Adjutant General and Finance School, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN
1978 - 1981: Armor Platoon Leader, Executive Officer--Chief Enlisted Management, Public Affairs Officer and Deputy Spokesperson for The 5th Infantry Division (M), Ft. Polk, LA
Commander - 314th Public Affairs Operations Center (PAOC), Birmingham, AL 1997 Commander of a Public Affairs Operations Center (PAOC) responsible for briefing, escorting, feeding. Lodging and badging all Theater of Operations media with credentials. Also responsible for commanding three Mobile Public Affairs Detachments, one Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment and three Military History Detachments.
Primary Spokesperson for all The US Army Reserve Public Affairs Units in The Southeast. Also, helped develop Public Affairs Plans to tell the stories of numerous US Army, USACE districts & divisions and other DOD units. U.S. Army Reserve National Media Coordinator 1996 - 1997 Responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating a national community and media relations program that is expected to increase the nationwide awareness of the U.S. Army Reserve. Also, US Army Public Affairs doctrine, policies and practices development staff officer. Public Affairs Officer and Primary Spokesperson for The 143D Transportation Command, Orlando, FL 1995 Responsible for providing outstanding public affairs guidance to a two-star general of 2,100-personnel command throughout Florida and Southern Georgia in the areas of command/internal information, community relations and media relations. This also included telling the stories of numerous US Army Reserve, USACE districts and DOD units in the area. Commander, and Primary Spokesperson 209th Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment (BPAD), Rome, GA 1994 -1995 superbly led Armed Forces Radio and TV Station that was successfullydeployed to Panama in 1995 to work with Southern Command Network to provide 24-hour music, command information, news and weather. Responsible for ensuring personnel and equipment of 27-person detachment was always ready to deploy worldwide. Executive Officer and primary Spokesperson for The 314th PAD (PCH), Birmingham, AL 1991-1994 Responsible for successful operation of U.S. Army Press Camp Headquarters in a Theater of Operations. The press camp was responsible for lodging, feeding, escorting and briefing all media with credentials. Also, served as second-in-command to Detachment Commander. Also, this included telling the stories of numerous US Army Reserve, USACE districts and DOD units located in The Southern USA. Assistant Public Affairs Officer for the 377th TAACOM, New Orleans, LA 1987 - 1991 Directed, managed and provided leadership for the development of a proactive media relations program for the 377th TAACOM. Advised the 377th TAACOM Commanding General on media relations. Coordinated and helped supervise the ten-member public affairs staff. Also served as primary media spokesperson. Public Affairs Officer and Primary Spokesperson for the 4013th, Bossier City, LA 1986 - 1987 Primary media spokesperson for the 4013th USAG Commander. Directed, managed and provided leadership for the development of a proactive public relations program for the 4013th USAG. Coordinated and supervised the seven-member public affairs section. Public Affairs Officer and Primary Spokesperson for the 4158th USARF School, Shreveport, LA 1984 - 1986 Directed, managed and provided leadership for the development of a proactive public affairs program for the 4158th School. Prepared all media releases for the school. Administrative Officer and Primary Spokesperson for The Louisiana National Guard 769th Engineer Battalion located in Baton Rouge, LA 1983 - 1984 Successfully implemented a new management-by-objective system as the senior executive for an Army National Guard Unit. The new system improved efficiency and person-to-person communication to the extent that the mobilization, readiness, productivity and morale of the battalion moved from last in the state to 8th among 16 units.
Public Affairs Officer and Adjutant Defense Information School, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN 1981-1983 Successfully implemented news media releases, coverage and community relations programs for a Department of Defense school. Program improved efficiency and communication between the school and surrounding communities. Chief Enlisted Personnel Management Division Personnel Officer, 5th INF. DIV. (M), Ft. Polk, LA 1980 - 1981 Successfully established a completely new personnel management systems the senior executive officer for a 54-member personnel section. System improved the efficiency of customer relations and person-to-person communications to the extent that three higher headquarters personnel management inspections were passed; customer complaints were reduced from five a month to zero and morale was greatly improved within the section. Non-Military Professional Experience and Public Service
2007-2009: Chair PRSA Educators’ Academy 1997 Charter member of PRSA’s Educator’s Academy 1997 APR accreditation instructor for National Capital PRSA Chapter 1996 Public information manager and media relations coordinator for the Basketball Venue at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games 1996 Public relations/marketing chair, Dismas House of Chattanooga 1994 Member, Marketing Communication Committee, United Way of Greater Chattanooga 1992 Public Relations Chair, Goodwill Industries of Chattanooga, Inc. 1995 Presenter at PRSSA National Conference, Seattle, WA
1994 Radio Disc Jockey for WUTC-88.1 FM/NPR “Cajun/Swamp Doctor Radio Show Host” 1992 Presenter at PRSSA National Conference in Kansas City, MO 1990 - 1991 APR Accreditation Instructor for New Orleans PRSA Chapter 1989 Board member and Public Relations Chairman, Boys’ Club of Acadiana 1989 Public relations consultant, Adopt-A-School of Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce 1988 Public relations consultant, Boys’ Club of Acadiana 1988 Public relations consultant for Merci Beaucoup (USL Pride Campaign) 1988 Facilitator for Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer’s Educational Forum 1988 - 1989 Planned and executive Leadership Lafayette Media Relations Night 1987 - 1988 Public relations consultant for The University of Southwestern Louisiana’s Athletic Department 1987 Public relations consultant for Fiesta Mexicana 1987 Public relations consultant for grand opening of Goodwill Industries of Shreveport, LA 1984 - 1987 Public relations consultant and media relations director for the Independence Bowl 1986 Public relations consultant for Highland Restoration Association 1986 Public relations consultant and chairman, Girl Scouts of America Pelican Council Honors and Awards 1994 Outstanding PRSSA Faculty Advisor, Southeast PRSSA district 1994 National Gold Key Membership 1992 Humanitarian Service Medal for Hurricane Andrew Relief Effort 1992 Army Achievement Award for Hurricane Andrew Relief Outstanding Accomplishments 1992 PRSA Exceptional Leadership Award 1992 The Jon Riffel/PRSSA Championship Award 1992 - 1994 “Exceptional Merit” rating from University of Tennessee - Chattanooga 1992 C-SPAN’s Spring Seminar for College Professors 1991 Meritorious Service Medal - U.S. Army 1990 Army Commendation Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster 1989 Outstanding PRSSA South Central District Faculty Advisor 1988 USL Faculty Advisor/Consultant for LEVI 501 JEANS; finished 8th in national competition 1987 - 1988 PRSA Presidential Citation for Outstanding Leadership contribution to PRSA while President of North Louisiana PRSA Chapter 1987 - 1988 Outstanding USL Communication Department Teacher of the Year 1987 Represented all PR educators as LEVI 501 JEANS PRSSA judge for national competition in Chicago, IL 1986 Outstanding PRSSA South Central District Advisor 1985 - 1986 Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award at LSU-S 1986 Outstanding Faculty/Professional Advisor for LSU-S PRSSA Chapter 1985 Outstanding Young Men of America 1985 Outstanding Faculty/Professional Advisor for LSU-S PRSSA Chapter 1985 Outstanding LSU-S Faculty Member for October by Kappa Alpha Fraternity 1985 Leadership Shreveport Program Participant 1985 Faculty Advisor/Consultant to LSU-S PRSSA chapter, the winning team for the South Central PRSSA District 1985 Nominated for Outstanding PRSA Southwest District Educator Award 1981 Army Commendation Medal 1976 Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities 1976 Distinguished Military Graduate - Tulane University 1968 Eagle Scout Professional Leadership Position
2011-2012: PRSA Chair PAG Section
2010-2011: PRSA Chair Elect PAG Section
2009-2010: PRSA SE District Chair
2007-2009: PRSA EA Chair
2003-2006: Chair PRSA Military & PA Section 1997 Co-Chair, Accreditation Committee, National Capital Chapter, PRSA 1996 Member, National PRSA Accreditation Board
1197 President Lookout PRSA Chapter 1996 President - Elect, Lookout PRSA Chapter 1994 - 1996 National Director-at-Large, PRSA 1991 - 1992 Chair, Southwest District, PRSA 1990 - 1992 National PRSSA Faculty Advisor 1991 Chair-elect, Southwest District, PRSA 1990 Treasurer, Southwest District, PRSA 1989 Secretary/Treasurer, for National PRSA’s Educator’s Section 1988 - 1989 Membership Chairman for National PRSA Educator’s Section 1987 - 1988 Newsletter Editor, National PRSA Educator’s Section 1986 - 1987 President, North Louisiana PRSA Chapter 1985 - 1986 Second Vice President, North Louisiana PRSA Chapter 1984 - 1985 Board Member, Publicity Chairman and Newsletter Editor, North Louisiana PRSA Chapter
Professional Membership
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Member of Public Relations, History and New Technology Divisions
Association United States Army (AUSA)
College of Sports Information Directors of America (CSIDA)
American Journalism Historians Association (AJHA)
Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE)
Public Relations Society of America (Accredited in 1989)
Public Relations Student Society of America Faculty Advisor
Reserve Officers’ Association (ROA)
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA)
National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)
Research Interests
Presidential Press Secretaries
Civil War Media
Media Relations Management
Crisis Management
Army Public Affairs Officers
Research in Progress
“The Evolution of Larry Speakes’ Membership in President Reagan’s Inner Circle”
“Army Public Affairs Officers 1860 to 1989: A Relationship Made in Hell”
“’Let Jim Handle It’: Jim Hagarty’s Handling of the Media during President Eisenhower’s First Heart Attack Crisis”
Master Persuader for The Confederacy: Henry Hotze”
“A Necessity and a Duty:” An Analysis of President Jimmy Carter’s Communication Leadership After the Aborted Hostage Rescue Attempt, April 24, 1980 by Superimposing the Drs. J. David Pincus and Nicholas Debonis’ Top Dog Leadership Model on Carter’s Actions
Publications
Knights of The Quill: Confederate Correspondents and their Civil War Reporting-Author of Chapter 11-Henry Hotze: Propaganda Voice of The Confederacy. 2009
“Building Media Relations during a Crisis: Lessons Culled from the Chaos off Hurricane Andrew.” tips & tactics - the “how-to” bulletin of public relations methods & procedures - a supplement of pr reporter, Vol. 30, No. 20; December 14, 1992.
“PR Lessons from a Hurricane.” communication briefings - March 1993.
“In the Eye of the Storm.” Public Relations Quarterly - Summer 1993.
“Civil War Public Relations; Civil War Press (South); and President Jefferson Davis and the Press.” History of the Mass Media in the United States: an Encyclopedia, to be published in the fall of 1997.
“Henry Hotze: Master Confederate Propagandist.” America’s Civil War, to be published in the fall of 1997.
“Let Jim Handle It: President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Heart Attack and Jim Hagerty’s Handling of the Media.” Presidential Studies Quarterly - Fall 1996.
Three Case Studies: “U.S. Army Supports National Scout Jamboree; Normandy; In the Eye of The Storm: Hurricane Andrew” - Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice, by Dan Lattimore, APR, 1996.
Paper, Seminars at Professional Meetings
Trahan, III, Joseph V. Henry Hotze:”Master Confederate Propagandist” Chattanooga, TN. UTC Symposium on the 19th Century Press, The Civil War, and Free Expression November 13, 2009.
Trahan, III, Joseph V. “Let Jim Handle It: Jim Laverty’s Handling of the Media during President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Recovery from His First Heart Attack.” AEJMC’s Southeast Colloquium, March 14-16, 1996 in Roanoke, VA.
Trahan, III, Joseph V. “Henry Hotze: Master Confederate Propagandist.” Western Journalism Historians 21st Annual Conference, February 23-24, 1996, University of California-Berkeley.
Trahan, III, Joseph V. “Let Jim Handle It: Jim Hagerty’s Handling of the Media During President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Recovery From His First Heart Attack.” IABC 1993 International Conference in Chicago, IL.
Trahan, III, Joseph V. “Accreditation Seminar” at the 1987 Southwest District Conference in Wichita, KA.
Trahan, III, Joseph V. “Accreditation Seminar at the 1988 and 1989 Kansas PRSA Chapter, Wichita, KS.
Trahan, III, Joseph V. “The Mississippi Catfish Joins President Reagan’s Inner Circle.” Southwest Symposium for Journalism and Mass Communication Convention in Abilene, TX, October 1988.
Moderator, National PRSA Conference, Cincinnati, OH, November 1988.
Moderator, National PRSA Conference, Dallas, TX, October 1989.
Moderator, National PRSA Conference, New York City, November 1990.
Speaker, National PRSSA Conference, New York City, November 1990.
Presenter at Eisenhower Symposium, Gettysburg, PA., October 1990. “Let Jim Handle It: Jim Hagerty’s Handling of the Media during President Eisenhower’s First Heart Attack Crisis.”
Panelist and Paper Presenter at the Center for the Study of the Presidency Leadership Conference, Austin, TX, October 26-28, 1990.
Presenter at AJHA Conference, Coeur d’Alene, ID, October 3-7, 1990.
Received The Eisenhower Institute Abilene Travel Grant for 1990.
Presenter at The Popular Culture Association and The American Culture Association Conference, March 1992.
Seminar Presenter, PRSA Southwest District Power Leadership Conference, 1991 and 1992.