High-energy, thought-provoking and humorous trainer and consultant on motivational leadership and communication. John Verrico is the President of the National Association of Government Communicators, and has more than 34 years of experience as a public affairs professional in federal and state government agencies, working extensively in media, community and employee relations, with significant emphasis in science, engineering and the security fields. Currently serving as the Chief of Media Relations for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate, John retired from the Navy Reserve as a Master Chief Journalist in 2005. As a former freelance journalist, stand-up comic, janitor, theater performer, small-business consultant, and disco dance instructor, John has learned not to take life too seriously and to experience everything life has to offer. He earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University and a Bachelor’s in communication from the University of the State of New York. John’s spare time is devoted to occasional cruise vacations, bad-movie parties, and collecting classic monster movies and memorabilia, which he displays in his bizarre version of a man cave.