James Webb

About James Webb

I am a communications consultant with nearly 30 years’ experience at premier news organizations, now leading a nimble and energetic team crafting public affairs communications strategies and services for clients of all sizes in the private, nonprofit and public sectors. I am guided by my belief that authenticity, clarity and credibility are the building blocks of strong relationships and the foundation of successful communication. I developed a reputation for speed, accuracy and strong news judgment as a reporter, editor and manager at The Associated Press and the Chicago Tribune. I worked in four states for the AP over two decades before becoming Illinois political editor and government investigations editor at the Chicago Tribune, overseeing coverage of Chicago City Hall, Cook County government and Illinois state government. Reporting and managing coverage of hard news and breaking stories with state and national significance honed my sense of how news develops and where it will lead, skills I now bring to bear on behalf of our clients at Serafin & Associates. Supervising staffs ranging from six to 25 people over 20 years taught me a manager’s primary responsibility is creating an environment where colleagues are empowered to do their best.

Experience

1. Director of Operations

   Serafin & Associates, Inc

   Mar 2016 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Leading a team of strategists, tacticians and content specialists at 30-year public affairs communications firm, providing services to clients in private, public and nonprofit sectors. Responsibilities include relationship management, engagement planning and critical communications consulting.

Education

• University of Illinois Springfield

  M.A., Public Affairs Reporting

  1986 — 1987

• Bradley University

  B.A., Journalism

  1982 — 1986