Date: April 23
Time: 11 a.m. to noon

Cost: CAPIO members and nonmembers: Free

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Speakers:

Christine Brainerd, MPA, APR
Communications Director
City of Folsom

Robin Rockey, APR
CEO
RockSpark Communications + Marketing

Jennifer Garnett, APR
Chief Public Information Officer
Office of the City Manager

Katie Combs-Prichard, APR
Health & Human Services Communications Manager
County of Placer

Patrice Smith, APR
Lecturer
California State University, Long Beach

Brie Anne Coleman, APR
Communications Manager
Placer County Water Agency

BIOS

Christine Brainerd, MPA, APR

Christine is a seasoned, award-winning communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in government communications, public relations, and journalism. As communications director, she manages the city’s comprehensive communications program, including news media relations, public information, and community relations.

Christine joined the City of Folsom in 2015. She previously served the City of Elk Grove for nearly nine years as the public affairs manager and public information officer. She also worked at two Sacramento-based public relations firms, where she managed national and statewide public relations and marketing campaigns. Christine’s career started in journalism. She has written for a weekly newspaper and worked as an assignment editor at KTXL-TV FOX-40 News.

A communications graduate from California State University at Sacramento, Christine earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential from the Public Relations Society of America and the Universal Accreditation Board in 2012. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University.

Christine is the past president and current education and development chair of the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) and she serves on the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national board that oversees the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential. She has received more than 60 national, statewide, and regional awards for communications and public relations projects through well-respected organizations, including CAPIO, the Public Relations Society of America, and the League of California Cities. In 2016, she was honored with the 40 Under 40 Award by the Sacramento Business Journal, which recognizes young professionals for their accomplishments in their respective industries and for their contributions to the community at large.

Robin Rockey, APR

RockSpark Communications + Marketing CEO Robin Rockey, APR, is a nationally recognized government communications and public relations leader. Her company, RockSpark Communications + Marketing is an award-winning, full-service agency specializing in government communications, marketing and public relations with a focus on helping cities, special districts and public agencies achieve their goals.

Robin recently served as CAPIO’s representative on the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), which oversees the APR credential. She has also served in several board positions on the Public Relations Society of America’s Orange County Chapter’s Board of Directors.

Robin’s travel book 100 Things to Do in Orange County Before You Die is now available wherever books are sold. Her articles have appeared in Sunset, Westways, TravelAge West and more. She has interviewed everyone from San Diego zoo animal trainers to actor Robert De Niro.

Jennifer Garnett, APR

Jennifer Garnett, APR, has a communications career spanning two coasts and three decades. She has consulted for federal agencies in Washington DC and managed public outreach programs for two of the largest Bay Area cities – San Jose and Sunnyvale. She has launched new citywide services, explained complex infrastructure and land use projects, and navigated media relations for controversial and sensitive topics. She also led an award-winning rebrand for the City of Sunnyvale where she has been the Public Information Officer for the past 13 years. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, emergency communications certificates through CSTI, and public relations accreditations through PRSA and CAPIO. She lives in Sunnyvale with her husband, two daughters and a black Labrador.

Katie Combs-Prichard, APR

Katie Combs Prichard, APR is the communications manager with Placer County’s Health and Human Services Department, where she leads public relations efforts for six integrated divisions on topics ranging from mental health to animal adoptions to infectious disease. Prior to county government, she worked in communications for a Sacramento-area school district after leaving the news industry. She lives in Placer with her husband and two daughters and attained her APR in July 2024.

Patrice Smith, APR

Patrice Smith, APR is a seasoned strategic communications professional with a wealth of experience spanning diverse industries. Her journey includes roles in the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, in addition to serving as the vice president of media relations at one of the nation’s top 10 banks. Smith has also excelled as a public relations practitioner in various public affairs and communications agencies. Her dedication to leadership development is evident through her recent participation in the Rising Leadership Program at the Aspen Institute, where she engaged in meaningful exchanges with world leaders and senior government officials.

Brie Anne Coleman, APR

Brie Anne Coleman, APR is communications manager for the Placer County Water Agency. Since 2014 she has evolved her role within the agency, integrating the power of visual storytelling into her work. With a background in freelance photography and graphic design, she applies a “more than words” approach to effectively communicate complex concepts in an accessible and impactful manner. She coordinates projects with cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative and results-driven work environment.