Recognized consistently for seamlessly managing media and public affairs as well as proven broadcast journalistic excellence, Margaret Shartel is an adept, creative, and focused PR specialist poised to surpass the challenges inherent in our changing, multimedia, global culture.
Recently, Ms. Shartel leveraged her talent to the strategic benefit of the Department of the Army where she led a team of professionals to create, launch, and project manage a series of targeted advertising, multimedia promotions, and public relations campaigns that supported a positive image of our country’s military endeavors. In this age of critically changing public opinion, she recognizes the need for careful crafting of persuasive speeches, informative articles, and compelling advertisements that are educational, edifying, and unifying for the American public.
In this capacity with Department of the Army since 2010, she created high-impact PR and communications programs and initiatives. In addition, she is technically adept in the range of media technologies to ensure that vital messages are communicated across all media bands. For the Seattle area office where she was stationed she received repeated “Exceptional” ratings for maximizing the organization’s visibility throughout the region via effectively utilizing social media networking and other communication techniques. In this way, she keeps the community, as well as the United States Army personnel, fully informed and responsive to public, community, and global events.
A key to Ms. Shartel’s success is her ability to effectively and positively thrive in diverse environments as both an independent contributor and an integral team member—as demonstrated in earlier roles as a Tax Preparer for the Department of the Army, and an Accounting / Administrative Associate and Marketing Intern Department of Veterans Affairs, at Exceptional Family Member Program and Army Career and Alumni Program. In each position she created external communications programs from scratch including marketing materials and family member newsletters for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. While with the DFAS she was rapidly promoted to a lead role, an unheard of achievement for someone without an accounting background. In these roles, spanning 2002 to 2009, she held streamlined department-wide communications and promotions by organizing and distributing monthly newsletters and weekly emails.
Previously, between the years of 1997 to 2002, Ms.Shartel built a reputation in broadcast journalism with the (United States Army at Armed Forces Network, Bavaria, Germany; the 28th Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Lewis, Washington.. In these roles, she created strategic and targeted programs, speeches, special events, and communications programs that promoted positive public relations and community relations. In recognition for her contribution to creating exceptional programs, she won two specialized broadcasting awards in 1998. As a morning show DJ, Newscaster, and spot producer, she created the first anti-drunk driving campaign for base soldiers which reduced drunk driving.
As a multitalented professional, she is highly educated, completing a Master’s in Communication and a Certificate in Servant Leadership and Leadership (AGD, 2012, December) from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington as well as an Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Bachelor’s degree, specializing in Arts, Media and Culture, with an emphasis on Mass Communications and cross-cultural Literature from the University of Washington. She grounded her education initially with two degrees including an Associate in Technology and an Associate in Arts and Sciences (2003).
