October 27 Webinar @ 11:00 a.m.
The TAMIO PIO Strike Team and Lessons Learned from Kerrville
When disaster struck Kerrville, it became clear very quickly that the community and our counterparts would need support. Through his connections, Brian Ligon worked diligently to establish a rotating list of PIO strike teams to deploy to Kerrville, provide support, and transition to the next team. We emphasize training for situations just like this, but how does it unfold in real life, and what lessons can we learn from some of those who answered Brian’s call? Join us as we talk to Brian Ligon, Joe Calderon, and Chris Shadrock, three individuals working inside the Joint Information Center in the days immediately after the disaster.
Hosted by: Dustin Dangli, City of Mansfield
Brian Ligon is the Communications and Marketing Director for the City of Mont Belvieu, Texas. A Baylor graduate, Brian spent 17 years in broadcast television, specializing in production and marketing, before jumping into the world of local government in 2012 with the City of Round Rock. In 2018, he became Mont Belvieu’s first full-time communicator, where he led the launch of MB Link—Texas’ first municipal broadband utility—and has worked ever since to prove that government communications doesn’t have to be boring. Brian’s creative approach has earned multiple state and national awards. He currently serves as Vice President of the 3CMA Board of Directors, Region 8/Gulf Coast Director for TAMIO, and chairs Public Education and Communications for the Chambers County LEPC. He’s also served on the Chambers County Children’s Museum board, emcees local events, and is a former Mont Belvieu volunteer firefighter. Outside of work, Brian plays nerdy board games, collects vintage vinyl, and battles it out on the airsoft field. His proudest title? Husband to Jessica and dad to Zak.
Chris Shadrock was born and raised in the Texas Hill Country. His curiosity about different places took him to Vermont for his undergraduate studies, but his passion for storytelling led him back to Texas, where he spent nearly a decade in local broadcast news. Working at TV stations in Waco, Killeen, Austin, and San Antonio, Chris earned prestigious accolades, including a National Edward R. Murrow Award, recognition from the Texas Associated Press, and a Lone Star EMMY nomination. In 2019, he returned home to serve as the City of Boerne’s Communications Manager and was promoted to director in 2021. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s messaging and community engagement. Whether managing crisis communication, crafting speeches, or highlighting civic achievements — Chris remains dedicated to keeping his community informed and connected.
Joe Calderon is the Assistant Director of Communications for the City of Pearland. A native of Pearland, Joe developed his career in and around the Texas Hill Country as a freelance photographer/videographer. He brought his unique set of skills back to his hometown, where he went to work at the City as a Videographer. He quickly proved his talent and significantly elevated the quality of content produced by the Communications team. He also displayed a keen aptitude for campaign management, website development, and team leadership, earning him the position of Assistant Director. In his free time, Joe likes to spend time with his wife and two daughters visiting local parks, going for long runs, and developing merchandise for their brand Parker Goods.