Lindsey Backhaus

About Lindsey Backhaus

Ms. Backhaus is a program manager and communications leader with nearly 20 years of experience working with federal, state, and local government agencies. She currently serves as Deputy Director of Communications at the First Responder Network Authority, overseeing the strategic messaging for the agency. Previously, she served as a Communications Specialist at the FirstNet Authority, managing social media, podcasts, internal communications, media outreach, and website management. As a federal contractor, she has supported the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, General Services Administration, National Science Foundation, and Louisville Emergency Management Agency as a strategic communications specialist, technical writer, and project manager. As a supervisor and team leader, she has experience with performance management, mentorship, budget management, and procurement.

Experience

1. Deputy Director of Communications

   First Responder Network Authority

   Aug 2022 — Present

   Lead content strategy efforts, guide agency messaging, provide communications expertise to executive leadership, define team priorities and timelines, and capture metrics to inform communications projects and priorities.Manage an annual budget of $2.5M+ through zero-based budgeting process. Lead procurement efforts for contracts, subscription services, and equipment.Manage a four-person team of public affairs specialists. Provide mentorship, teambuilding, strategic planning, project management, performance management, and strategic communications guidance and decision-making to ensure the team delivers high-quality, educational products for stakeholders and staff.Manage the development of 400+ communications products annually. Products include videos, blogs, podcasts, articles, newsletters, email campaigns, website content, social campaigns, executive leadership messages, and staff events.Manage 3 contractor teams with 15+ FTE. Maintain contract oversight and ensure quality standards are met, provide strategic direction, and mentor government staff in contract management efforts. Supervise media relations and outreach; provide direction on local media and trade press outreach and engage with media outlets.

Education

• University of Maryland

  BA, English, Women's Studies

  2003 — 2006