Hi, I’m Brent.
As a communications leader in the Houston area with more than 15 years’ experience, I am uniquely positioned to connect a message to the right audience at the right time. My ability to foster relationships and implement positive change through social marketing and crisis communications will serve any client needing assistance in crafting their message.
Whether it’s a career-track position or just a quick review on your latest project, I’m open to work. Please see my selected work experience below and let’s find a way to work together.
Work Products
Selected Work Experience
Houston Fire Department
Communications Director
October 2024-April 2026
● Directed communications strategy for a 4,000+ personnel organization operating in high risk, high-visibility environments
● Advised executive leadership on reputational risk, crisis response, and public messaging during emergency incidents and large-scale disasters
● Established and served on on-call response team for spokesperson and content creator roles across a 24/7 battle rhythm
● Served as a primary liaison between leadership and external audiences during critical incidents, maintaining speed, clarity and public trust under pressure
● Drafted and revised testimony for chief executive during legislative session on bill supporting financial reform
● Serve as key departmental liaison for City Council offices on items related to department funding and operations
● Drafted, edited, and distributed internal and executive‑level communications on behalf of the Fire Chief and department leadership, serving as final editorial reviewer prior to release.
● Produced and served as editor‑in‑chief of a bi‑monthly internal newsletter; owned editorial calendar, content curation, drafting, review, and distribution
● Managed and governed internal communications channels including SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and public‑facing web platforms, enforcing content ownership, editorial standards, and refresh cycles.
● Incorporate AI (Copilot, ChatGPT) into editorial process for iterative review and suggestions. Establish workflow to verify information related to AI content creation avoiding hallucinations and misinformation.
● Foster relationships with corporate sponsors (Shell, KBR, Lakewood Church) on annual holiday donation event.
● Exercised judgment and discretion in approving, delaying, or declining content publication based on reputational risk, legal compliance, and brand alignment.
● Oversaw brand and reputation management across multiple divisions in a fast-moving, decentralized environment
● Interface with IT department to ensure best practices for information security on multiple systems with proprietary and confidential information in use
Related work products
KPRC: Earned media on recruiting efforts
Enterprise content: Narrative-driven story telling through X threads
Government Liaison: Ghostwriter on legislative testimony
Internal Comms: Departmental newsletter
Copywriting: Departmental Strategic Plan
Houston OEM
Chief Communications Officer
March 2023- October 2024
● Led communications strategy for citywide emergency management operations supporting disaster preparedness, response, and recovery across one of the nation’s largest municipal environments.
● Oversaw citywide disaster communications for large-scale emergency incidents, including Hurricane Beryl and Houston’s 2024 straight-line windstorm, ensuring timely, accurate public information during rapidly evolving conditions
● Documented operations and coordinated public messaging to foster reimbursement of $314M in disaster costs
● Operationalize warning communication during unprecedented heat wave of 2023
● Directed Joint Information Center (JIC) operations during active incidents, coordinating multi‑agency messaging, staffing, and content approval across local, regional, and state partners including FBI, TDEM, METRO, Centerpoint, and others
● Establish staffing and supervise shifts of 7-10 across all 24-hours
● Led communications planning and execution for high‑visibility, citywide special event activations, including the 2023 NCAA Final Four (est 146,000 visitors, $270m economic impact), College Football Playoff National Championship (est $200m economic impact), and multiple years of the Houston Marathon (est $50 million economic impact annually)
● Establish and leverage relationships with diverse stakeholders including civic groups, consuls general, and faith organizations to amplify reach
● Advised executive leadership on crisis communications strategy, balancing operational accuracy with clarity, public trust, and reputational risk under pressure
● Served as communications lead and vendor liaison for multiple projects, including large‑scale technical system overhaul supporting multi‑agency resource coordination; partnered with external stakeholders to support adoption and change.
Related work products
Local podcast: Earned media on disaster preparedness
NY Times: Making crisis messaging personal: what’s your Whataburger order?
In-house produced podcast: Are you ready?
Bid Development & Contract oversight on website redesign
Brent Taylor, Chief Communications Officer with the Houston Office of Emergency Management, discusses the ongoing response and recovery efforts after Hurricane Beryl. Learn about the city's plans and actions to help residents and businesses affected by the storm.
Selected Work Experience (cont’d)
Mayor Sylvester Turner
Public Information Officer/Deputy Press Secretary
April 2021 - March 2023
● Advised senior leadership on communications strategy across a portfolio of 12–15 city
departments
● Developed messaging, talking points, and public statements for the mayor of the fourth
largest city in the United States (2.4M population in 7.8M metro)
● Coordinate media interviews with local, regional, national, and global news organizations
on topics of interest (CNN, NBC National, Fox)
● Managed communications for high-visibility initiatives, press events, and emerging
issues; coordinated cross-departmental messaging to ensure consistency
● Serve as City representative on task force for advanced recycling project with Exxon
Mobil, Lyondell Bassel, Cyclyx, and FCC Environmental
● Coordinate organic media opportunities of COVID testing sites, immunization clinics,
etc.. while facing complex logistical hurdles
● Supported crisis and issues response, ensuring timely and accurate communication
during rapidly evolving situations
innovative partnership
METRO
Social Media Specialist
March 2016 - March 2021
● Led real-time communications during emergency events and service disruptions, supporting internal operations and public-facing messaging.
● Developed and implemented a multi-channel emergency notification system,
coordinating cross-departmental messaging during operational disruptions and high visibility events.
● Managed high-volume public engagement on digital platforms in timely environments
● Produced performance reporting on audience growth, engagement trends, and communication effectiveness.
● Participate in regional Joint Information Center operations as agency communications representative for incidents including Hurricane Harvey and multiple 100-year floods
At Home
When I’m not in the office, I’m a family man.
My wife and I have been married since 2016, and have two boys and one girl. I love spending time with them, building Lego, and watching their minds grow. We live in the Spring area, where I am also the President of my neighborhood Community Improvement Association.
Contact me
Let me support your team through my specific expertise. Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly.