Direct Phone: 646-654-1679
Direct Fax: 212-749-3590
E-mail: vcovello@CenterForRiskCommunication.org
Or by postal mail to:

Dr. Vincent Covello, Director
Center for Risk Communication
29 Washington Square West Suite 2
New York, New York 10011

Mr. Joseph Wojtecki develops and applies strategies based upon risk communication principles to meet management and leadership communication challenges. He has over 30 years of experience in communications and public affairs, including the public and private sectors. Prior to joining the Center for Risk Communication, he held senior positions at several firms, including Hill and Knowlton and Ruder-Finn. Before entering the private sector, Mr. Wojtecki completed a career in the U.S. Air Force, and served as personal public affairs advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel

Mr. Wojtecki received his Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication from Kent State University, and a Master of Arts in organizational communication from the University of North Dakota.

Direct Phone: 410-643-8310
Direct Fax: 410-643-8524
E-mail: jwojtecki@CenterForRiskCommunication.org
Or via postal mail to:

Joseph Wojtecki, Senior Fellow
Center for Risk Communication
P.O. Box 291
Stevensville, Maryland 21666

Dr. Richard Peters has over a decade of experience in the field of risk communication. He has provided strategic communication guidance and support for a wide range of clients in the private and public sectors.

Prior to joining the Center for Risk Communication, Dr. Peters was Assistant Professor in Community Health at William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, where his focus was environmental health. He received his doctorate in environmental health science from Columbia University, where he conducted research in risk communication. Dr. Peters performed post-doctoral studies in quantitative risk assessment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his Master of Science in chemistry and his MBA from the University of Virginia. He has extensive experience in project management and as an organic chemist. His research has been published in Risk Analysis, Biochemistry and other professional journals. He has held membership in the Air & Waste Management Association, American Chemical Society, American Management Association, and the Society for Risk Analysis.

Direct Phone: 603-387-9864
E-mail: rpeters@CenterForRiskCommunication.org
Or via postal mail to:

Dr. Richard Peters
244 Rainbow Drive #14484
Livingston, TX 77399
Phone: 603-387-9864

Ms. Lola Hilton has more than twenty years experience in public affairs and organizational communication, developing and implementing strategic communication programs for the U.S. Navy at the national level, as well as the field division and industrial business unit levels. Prior to joining the Center for Risk Communication, she served as the Director, Corporate Communications, the senior Public Affairs position at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), a science and engineering organization of more than 27,000 military and civilian personnel located at eight locations across the country. While at NAVAIR, she was responsible for crucial internal and external communications during a period of major organizational change, including a 50 percent downsizing, reorganization and fundamental conversion of business practices.

During her career, Ms Hilton has successfully resolved a broad range of communication challenges, including issues involving strategies for all aspects of public involvement related to multi-site environmental programs and issues including interface with national regulatory agencies and the public; base closings; major reorganizations; and relocation of hundreds of personnel. As a result of her extensive experience, she is a recognized expert in the principals of risk communication, change management and strategic communication planning with extensive knowledge in media relations, community relations, environmental public involvement, and employee communications.

Recently stepping down from federal service, Ms. Hilton was recognized for her distinguished accomplishments and was awarded the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award and Medal. She is a member of the Navy League and the Navy Public Affairs Alumni Association.

Direct Phone: 252-255-5981
Direct Fax: 252-255-2983
E-mail: lhilton@CenterForRiskCommunication.org

Or via: Center for Risk Communication
545 Eighth Avenue, Suite 401
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 646-602-9509

Richard C. Hyde is currently serving as a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Center for Risk Communication. He is also Executive Vice President of Hill & Knowlton, one of the world's largest public affairs/communications firms. Based out of New York City, Mr. Hyde is in charge of Hill & Knowlton's U.S. crisis communication management. He has more than 40 years of experience in crisis communications, issues development and management. He has counseled on more than a dozen major global crisis events ranging from physical disasters to threats to organizational reputation. Among other assignments, his crisis teams have handled the International Olympic Committee following the Salt Lake City scandal; the crash of Swissair flight 111, and Union Carbide's settlement with the Indian Supreme Court following the Bhopal tragedy.

Mr. Hyde also has assisted scores of organizations with emergency response plan development and training in the chemical, energy, financial, petroleum, transportation, food and heavy manufacturing sectors. He introduced war gaming techniques to the commercial world in 1979 by developing crisis simulations for clients. He has subsequently conducted global crisis communication workshop, simulations, and training exercises in more than 25 countries. Mr. Hyde retired as a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve where he served as an information officer for Annapolis among other assignments. He graduated from The College of Wooster and earned a masters degree at Boston University.

Direct Phone:  
Direct Fax:  
E-mail: rchyde@CenterForRiskCommunication.org

Or via: Center for Risk Communication
545 Eighth Avenue, Suite 401
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 646-602-9509

Brigadier General Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.) is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Risk Communication. He is the former Director of Public Affairs for the United States Air Force. He also serves as the Chief Executive Office of Physicians For Peace, a nonprofit global medical humanitarian organization.

While on active duty in the military, Brigadier General Sconyers was on the frontline of international crises, serving as the Pentagon spokesman for the 1989 invasion of Panama and the 1991 liberation of Kuwait. He was also the Pentagon spokesman for such crises as the terrorist bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia and the death of Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown in an airplane crash overseas.

General Sconyers is accredited in public relations and a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) College of Fellows. He has earned a number of awards, including four Silver Anvils, the highest award in the public relations industry. He was inducted as a charter member to the PRSA National Capital Chapter Hall of Fame. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Masters in Communications from St. Louis University, he was also a Fellow with the Air Force Institute of Technology and a Fellow in Foreign Politics, International Relations and the National Interest, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Direct Phone:  
Direct Fax:  
E-mail: rsconyers@CenterForRiskCommunication.org

Or via: Center for Risk Communication
545 Eighth Avenue, Suite 401
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 646-602-9509