Kim Padgett, The Padgett Group

Kim Padgett has more than 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing communications. She founded The Padgett Group in 2001. In her current role, Padgett develops strategic communication plans according to client goals and objectives, developing key messages, and identifying proper channels of distribution. Padgett specializes in media and community relations, as well as social media communication. Kim was recognized as “Media Relations Professional of the Year” in 2010 by the Public Relations Society of America. She is a frequent speaker at industry events, as well as a contributing author to multiple professional, business, and lifestyle publications. Padgett began her career as a magazine editor for Voice Processing Magazine, an international publication dedicated to voice and telecommunications technology. She then held high-level positions in public relations, marketing, and corporate communications within companies such as The Thompson Group, Iconixx Software, Life Line Screening Corp., NetExplorer, Inc., and BSG Corp. She received her BA in Journalism and Foreign Studies and MA in International Journalism from Baylor University.

Alicia Cahill, City of Galveston

Heather Saucier, Harris County Flood Control District

Heather Saucier has worked for the Harris County Flood Control District for five years. She serves as Assistant Division Manager of the Communications Division and oversees Project Communications, Internal Communications, Public Outreach and Media. Ms. Saucier also serves as the District’s spokeswoman, working with print, radio and television media to publicize District projects that reduce residents’ flooding risks and respond to questions and concerns of the public through the media.

Ms. Saucier has received awards from the National Association of Government Communicators, Public Relations Society of America and the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies for her efforts to educate the public through the media.

Prior to coming to the District, Ms. Saucier worked as a journalist for the Houston Chronicle, New York’s Newsday and the Tulsa World.

Ms. Saucier received a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Columbia University in New York City and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications and Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. She is a native Houstonian and is actively involved in animal rights and rescue groups.