About
05 May 2015
The Optical Society Hires Chief of External Relations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05 May 2015
The Optical Society Hires Chief of External Relations
and Prepares to Celebrate Centennial Year in 2016
WASHINGTON—The Optical Society (OSA) welcomes Tracy Schario, APR, as the Chief External Relations Officer of the leading international association for optics and photonics professionals. Schario provides strategic direction on government relations, public relations and institutional brand; manages its ongoing public relations programs for OSA’s scientific journals, international conferences and trade shows and the society’s STEM education outreach and advocacy efforts and will support the society’s centennial programs in 2016.
"Tracy’s experience spans advocacy and strategic communications across several disciplines including, energy, higher education, technology and international relations, and she brings the leadership experience and expertise to support the growing accomplishments of the optics and photonics community, ” said Elizabeth Rogan, CEO of The Optical Society. “Promoting and educating audiences on the essential role optics and photonics plays in helping solve real world challenges will be a core goal during OSA’s upcoming centennial year.”
Schario said, “I’m energized by the dedication of members, volunteers and other stakeholders and am excited by the opportunity to work with this creative and innovative community.”
Prior to joining The Optical Society, Schario directed advocacy communications for the clean energy portfolio at The Pew Charitable Trusts and served as spokesperson for The George Washington University. At GW, she was frequently on television and managed several high-profile crises receiving national media attention. Her experience includes corporate management at Strategic Communications Group, community relations at the U.S. Embassy in Manila and government relations at the National Utility Contractors Association. Schario taught media relations/social media at The George Washington University and has written for the Capitol Communicator and her own blog. Schario serves on the PRSA Board of Directors and earned her M.A. in communications from Ohio University and her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A high-resolution photo of Schario is available upon request. Contact Melanie Salemno, msalemno@osa.org.
About The Optical Society
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. OSA is a founding partner of the National Photonics Initiative and the 2015 International Year of Light. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
