CAPIO

California Public Information Officials

Special Award Winners Announced during CAPIO’s EPIC Awards Gala
August 31, 2022 - San Diego

News September 6, 2022

During CAPIO’s EPIC Awards Gala in San Diego last Wednesday, CAPIO honored three individuals who exemplify what it means to be top-notch government communicators – over the course of a year, during a crisis, or through a career-long dedication to the craft. We celebrate these individuals and congratulate them on their achievements. Read on to learn more about Olivia Applegate, Jennifer Carey and Jennifer Cabral.

2022 Communicator of the Year Award Recipient
Olivia Applegate

Honored for her exceptional leadership and excellence in strategic communications, Olivia has raised the bar in public communications.

Most recently, Olivia has transformed the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association’s communications program that serves over 44,000 members and 16 employers throughout California.

With great drive and vision, Olivia led SBCERA through an organizational rebrand, website redesign, member engagement survey designed to help drive member experience efforts, and an employer survey designed to establish mutual priorities and help build consensus on strategic initiatives, electronic newsletter campaigns, and others. Olivia also led her team through an ambitious strategic communications plan, which has served as a guide to define, shape, and communicate SBCERA’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.

Post August 31, 2022

2022 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader
Jennifer Carey

Respected for her leadership, collaboration, and forward-thinking during the Huntington Beach oil spill, Jennifer Carey has established herself as a respected and trusted figure within the city of Huntington Beach. As the Public Information Officer for the Huntington Beach Police Department, and now Public Affairs Manager for the City of Huntington Beach, Jennifer is relied upon to relay timely and sensitive information to the City’s nearly 200,000 residents.

While over a million beachgoers were enjoying the sights and sounds of jets flying overhead as part of the Pacific Airshow in October 2021, Jennifer was working alongside Huntington Beach public safety staff to assess the magnitude of a potential oil spill happening just miles off the Huntington Beach coast. Jennifer took control of the situation and quickly asserted herself as a leader and initiated a game plan for communicating with residents and stakeholders. Utilizing her regional and national contacts, Jennifer swiftly pulled together information and resources to quickly and proactively communicate details on the evolving situation.

Jennifer quickly became the go-to for oil spill information not only for the press and Huntington Beach residents, but for other cities and agencies across the nation.

News August 31, 2022

2022 Paul B. Clark Recipient
Jennifer M. Cabral, MPA

Jennifer M. Cabral has been the voice of the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) for over 20 years. She oversees the Public Affairs Office and Board Services, a joint staff of 15 people, managing marketing communications, community relations, public affairs, legislative and government affairs, branding, stakeholder relationships, event planning, media relations, and board relations for the third largest wastewater treatment facility west of the Mississippi River.

Jennifer has become the sounding board for OC San’s executive management team and has gained a seat at the decision-makers’ table. Her value to the agency is demonstrated by the trust, confidence, and respect she has earned from her staff, peers, management, and Board of Directors.

CAPIO

Special Award Winners Announced during CAPIO’s EPIC Awards Gala
August 31, 2022 - San Diego

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2022 Paul B. Clark Recipient
Jennifer M. Cabral, MPA

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Special Award Winners Announced during CAPIO’s EPIC Awards Gala August 31, 2022 - San Diego

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Commands

Special Award Winners Announced during CAPIO’s EPIC Awards Gala
August 31, 2022 - San Diego