Don Kirchoffner
Senior Consultant, Crisis Management

Don Kirchoffner is an accomplished senior communications executive best known as the creator and driver of strategic communications that have proactively addressed a broad array of challenges with innovation, foresight and action. Don has been the key presence behind a number of high profile media campaigns, crisis management situations and public outreach programs in the US and overseas requiring comprehensive expertise in internal and external communications, media relations,
government affairs, and public outreach.

What differentiates Don is his ability to create a common approach, build rapport and consensus from the executive boardroom to the field, and then to define and deploy strategies that consistently produce tangible and positive results. These attributes are
what have accelerated his career over 30 years, positioning him as a distinguished leader in both the US Army and corporate America.

Born and raised in Devils Lake, North Dakota, Kirchoffner attended St. Johns University in Collegeville, Minnesota where he was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and an ROTC commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. During the first 10 years of his Army career Don served in several staff officer roles in the Military Police Corps as a company commander and provost marshal.

After 10 years Don completed a Masters program in Public Administration and began a transition into military public affairs management, with assignments in Berlin, Germany and at U.S. bases at home. He was selected as the first Army officer to “train with Industry,” and served on a Vice Presidential level with Ketchum Public Relations on issues management and consumer affairs accounts.

The second decade of his military career included two Pentagon assignments; command of a university ROTC program; and direction of communications surrounding sensitive and high-profile crisis events in the U.S. and Europe. As Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. European Command, Don served as a lead communicator “on the ground” during the Persian Gulf War, and returned to become Army Chief of Media Relations at the Pentagon. As Don retired after 26 years as an officer, he was tapped for a civilian role to become Senior Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Materiel Command to orchestrate communications for a massive resizing and reorganization. He was named one of 15 elite members of the Army Public Affairs Hall of Fame in 2000.

From government service Don went to the American Red Cross as Corporate Communications Officer of the American Red Cross’ Biomedical Division, challenged by the need to create a campaign to reinforce public confidence in blood and biotissue donation.

Don joined an East Coast utility as Commonwealth Edison Chicago and Philadelphia Electric Company morphed into Exelon, a $30 billion consumer energy provider. As vice president of corporate communications Don was confidential advisor to the CEO and the executive team, and built a high performance team responsible for investor and media relations, consumer outreach and internal communications. As a result, Exelon has established an enviable position on Wall Street and Don became a respected figure among decision-makers of American power producers.

Since leaving Exelon in early 2006, Don has functioned as a top-level communications consultant, and is completing a long-term engagement as communications advisor to the director of the Centers for Disease Control. Don has also provided consulting services to GolinHarris, Purina, Underwriters Laboratories and North Central College.

Don is a legendary figure in the Public Relations Society of America, is accredited, and served as president of the Chicago Chapter and was named Chicago PR Professional of the Year in 2006. He is a long-time member of the prestigious Arthur W. Page Society, a professional organization for senior corporate communications officers, and serves on the membership committee.

Don and his wife Anne moved to Broomfield, Colorado in 2008 to be closer to their three children and new grandchildren.