Prefix/Rank (MG, RADM, Maj Gen, Dr., Mr., Ms., etc.)
CAPT
Full Name
CAPT Brook DeWalt APR+M, Fellow PRSA
Job Title
Strategic Counsel
Speaker Bio
Captain Brook DeWalt is a newly-retired Navy public affairs officer (PAO) with nearly 40 years (30 Navy) in public communication, emphasizing international relations, public diplomacy, and crisis communication. He most recently served as CEO the American Forces Network (AFN), providing leadership and oversight to 26 global radio & television stations, serving an overseas audience of 425,000, with a $34 million budget. He also served as commander of the Defense Media Activity Navy Element, leading the largest contingent of professional communicators in the U.S. Navy. Captain DeWalt previously held roles as director of public affairs for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and deputy chief of information for the U.S. Navy.
His expansive military career includes service as chief of public affairs at U.S. Strategic Command, and the Pacific Submarine Force. Captain DeWalt has undertaken hazardous duty operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Cuba, with strategic communication roles during significant events to include operations against Osama bin Laden in 2011. He also served as PAO aboard aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), managing the largest media embed in naval history.
Captain DeWalt is active across several professional associations including Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), National Association of Government Communicators, Association of the U.S. Navy, Veterans in Energy, and the National Press Club. His military and civilian recognitions are vast, to include PRSA’s 2025 Patrick Jackson Award for Service, the 2019 Public Relations Professional of the Year, and the 2016 Public Affairs & Government Distinguished Leadership Award.
Captain DeWalt is 14-time PRSA Silver Anvil award recipient in Strategic categories of Community Relations, Content Marketing, Crisis Communication, Evolution & Impact, Global Communication, Integrated Comms, Internal Comms, Reputation Management, and Best Teams. He is also an 8-time PRSA Bronze Anvil award recipient in Tactical categories of Blogger Campaign, Digital Platform, Executive Communication, Internal Audience Magazine, Data Analytics, and Viral Marketing.
Captain DeWalt was inducted into PRSA’s honorary College of Fellows in 2013, and he is an alumnus of Arizona State University, San Diego State University, and the Naval War College.
His expansive military career includes service as chief of public affairs at U.S. Strategic Command, and the Pacific Submarine Force. Captain DeWalt has undertaken hazardous duty operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Cuba, with strategic communication roles during significant events to include operations against Osama bin Laden in 2011. He also served as PAO aboard aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), managing the largest media embed in naval history.
Captain DeWalt is active across several professional associations including Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), National Association of Government Communicators, Association of the U.S. Navy, Veterans in Energy, and the National Press Club. His military and civilian recognitions are vast, to include PRSA’s 2025 Patrick Jackson Award for Service, the 2019 Public Relations Professional of the Year, and the 2016 Public Affairs & Government Distinguished Leadership Award.
Captain DeWalt is 14-time PRSA Silver Anvil award recipient in Strategic categories of Community Relations, Content Marketing, Crisis Communication, Evolution & Impact, Global Communication, Integrated Comms, Internal Comms, Reputation Management, and Best Teams. He is also an 8-time PRSA Bronze Anvil award recipient in Tactical categories of Blogger Campaign, Digital Platform, Executive Communication, Internal Audience Magazine, Data Analytics, and Viral Marketing.
Captain DeWalt was inducted into PRSA’s honorary College of Fellows in 2013, and he is an alumnus of Arizona State University, San Diego State University, and the Naval War College.
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