Upcoming Webinar: Igniting Trust: What the Bonfire Collective Is Teaching Us About Public Confidence

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Meet your Speakers: 

Thomas Reeves
NAGC Treasurer

Director of Public Affairs
City of Baytown, Texas

As the top communications official for Baytown, Texas, Thomas has direct leadership over the City’s public relations, tourism, and legislative affairs. Prior to city work, he worked as a lead public affairs liaison for the largest investor-owned utility in California and as head of the public affairs divisions for a passenger rail agency.

In his time serving the public, Thomas has also worked for members of the state legislature and U.S. Congress.  Thomas has a master’s degree in communication & leadership studies from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Simpson University. He is also an adjunct professor of communications studies at Lee College.

He and his wife have three children and reside in the southeast corner of Texas.

Kim Newcomer
CEO/Founder
Slate Communications

Kim Newcomer has 21 years’ experience in communications and marketing for communities, proven success blending traditional communication tools with progressive engagement techniques. She currently serves as the CEO/Founder of Slate Communications; an agency focused on helping public agencies connect with their communities. Prior to starting Slate, she worked for the communities of Vail, Durango, and Fort Collins, CO.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Denver.

Chad Lewis
Public Affairs Manager
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Chad Lewis is the Public Affairs Manager for the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks in Seattle, the nation's largest metropolitan natural resource agency. He previously served as the Deputy Director of Communications for the King County Executive and as the Director of Communications for the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Since 2023, his team has won a combined 10 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, a Northwest Regional Emmy for outstanding feature video, and the Golden Post Award for social media.