Susan Helt

Susan Beckley Helt is former Director of Public Information for the City of Plano.  In addition to traditional PIO responsibilities, Susan also was responsible for all management oversight of the award winning Plano Television Network, the city’s intranet and website, the City’s Action Center, and Records Management. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at Texas A and M University in their National Emergency Response and Rescue Center.  She previously served as an Assistant Professor of Broadcast and Film Communications.  Susan holds NIMS Certifications IS 100, 200, 300, 700 and 702.  She is former Chairman of the DFW Film Commission, and a former Board Member of the Texas Municipal League as well as former President of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.  She is also a member of the National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors, and served as Conference Co Chair in 2007.   Susan holds the Certified Public Manager designation, and a BA and an MA in Broadcast and Film Communications from the University of Alabama, as well as a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Ohio University.