Brook DeWalt

Brook DeWalt, APR+M, Fellow PRSA, is a retired U.S. Navy captain and senior communications leader with nearly 40 years of experience in public communication, international relations, public diplomacy and crisis communication. He most recently served as chief executive officer of the American Forces Network, overseeing 26 radio and television stations worldwide. His senior military assignments also included director of public affairs for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and deputy chief of information for the United States Navy.

During his 30-year Navy career, DeWalt served as chief of public affairs for America’s nuclear forces and the Pacific Submarine Force and held communications leadership roles supporting hazardous-duty operations in South Asia and Cuba. While assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk during combat operations, he managed the largest media embed in naval history. Before entering military service, he spent 10 years in the entertainment industry as an award-winning public relations manager, earning recognition from The Hollywood Reporter and Eastman Kodak Company.

DeWalt holds the Accredited in Public Relations and Military Communication (APR+M) credential and is active in organizations including the National Press Club, the National Association of Government Communicators and the Public Relations Society of America. PRSA named him its 2019 Public Relations Professional of the Year and inducted him into its College of Fellows. He has earned 14 PRSA Silver Anvil Awards for strategic communications excellence and eight PRSA Bronze Anvil Awards recognizing achievement in digital communications, executive communications, analytics and other tactical disciplines.

M.A., National Security Strategy, United States Naval War College 
M.A., Mass Communication, San Diego State University 
B.A., Journalism/Public Relations, The Cronkite School, Arizona State University