FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: 
Riya Arora 
Rarora@Stratacomm.net

NAGC recognizes outstanding storytelling, community engagement  

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (May 13, 2026) — The National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) names Taylor Levesque, multimedia public information officer with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO), its 2026 Rising Star. The award recognizes an early-career government communicator who demonstrates exceptional promise, creativity and impact in public service communications. NAGC presented the award on May 12 during its Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards ceremony. 

Since joining SJSO, Levesque has reshaped how the agency connects with the public and the media. She created and produced the agency’s first podcast, “SJSO Unlocked,” launched the agency’s TikTok and expanded its digital presence across all social media platforms. During Hurricane Milton, Levesque managed vital crisis communications, with national news outlets picking up her field work.  

“In just two years, Taylor has fundamentally transformed how we engage with our citizens, effectively putting SJSO ‘on the map’ and earning the deep respect of our personnel and the trust of our community,” said SJSO Commander George Harrigan. “Taylor's impact is best measured by the depth of her storytelling, which has had a profound reach, both locally and nationally.” 

“Taylor’s colleagues describe her as a ‘premier collaborator’ with exceptional vision and impact,” said NAGC president, Leslie Gervasio. “Her sophisticated, human-centered approach to serving the public through communication sets a standard for our entire profession. We are proud to recognize her.” 

A University of Florida graduate with bachelor’s degrees in Telecommunication News and Criminology, Levesque began her career as a general assignment multimedia journalist before transitioning into public safety communications. Her work has been recognized by the National Information Officers Association (NIOA), which awarded her the 2024 Top Photograph of the Year. She is an alumna of the FBI Jacksonville Citizens Academy and has completed FBI-LEEDA’s media & public relations and master public information officer courses. 

As Rising Star, Levesque will be recognized during the NAGC 2026 Communications School, May 11–13 in Palm Springs, California. The nation’s premier professional development event for government communicators convenes local, state, federal, tribal and military communicators from across the country to discuss emerging trends, crisis communications, public trust, digital engagement and leadership in government communications. 

About the National Association of Government Communicators 

Founded in 1976, NAGC advances the practice of government communications for professionals at every level of public service — federal, state, county, local, military and tribal. NAGC provides professional development, networking, and recognition through programs including the Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, Communicator of the Year Award and Rising Star Award. Learn more at nagc.com. 

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Media contact: Riya Arora, Rarora@Stratacomm.net. High-resolution photos available upon request. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: 
Riya Arora 
Rarora@Stratacomm.net

NAGC recognizes outstanding leadership in response to Hawaiʿi’s Lahaina wildfires

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (May 14, 2026) — The National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) names Makana McClellan, director of communications for the Governor of Hawaiʿi, its 2026 Communicator of the Year. As the organization’s highest individual honor, it recognizes a government communicator whose work demonstrates excellence in public service communications and whose leadership has strengthened trust, engagement and understanding between government and the public. NAGC presented the award on May 12 during its Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards ceremony.  

McClellan transformed government communications across Hawaiʿi’s entire executive branch, building a unified statewide network of public information officers (PIO), establishing mandatory crisis communications training for every state PIO, and forging a system that speaks with one clear, credible voice. 

“Makana brought discipline, consistency and collaboration to a system that had never before operated as a single network—preparation that proved invaluable during the Lahaina wildfires and recent tsunami warning, when clarity and trust mattered most,” said Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green, M.D. “Hawai'i is safer, better informed and more resilient because of her work, and I am proud to see her recognized by the National Association of Government Communicators.”  

“Makana exemplifies what it means to serve the public through communication,” said NAGC president, Leslie Gervasio. “Her system-level thinking and grace under pressure set a standard for our entire profession. We are proud to recognize her.” 

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama, McClellan earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Hawaiʿi Pacific University and a Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She brings deep civic roots to her public service, serving in leadership roles with the Aloha Festivals, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, and as a commissioner for FestPAC 2024. McClellan has served on the Hawai‘i State Board of Education for four years, was recognized in 2025 by the Public Relations Society of America’s Hawai‘i chapter with its President’s Leadership Award, and was named by Pacific Business News as an influential woman in the Hawaiʿi business community through its Women Who Mean Business award. 

As Communicator of the Year, McClellan delivered the featured closing conversation during NAGC 2026 Communications School, May 11–13 in Palm Springs. The nation’s premier professional development event for government communicators convenes local, state, federal, tribal and military communicators from across the country to discuss emerging trends, crisis communications, public trust, digital engagement and leadership in government communications. 

About the National Association of Government Communicators 

Founded in 1976, NAGC advances the practice of government communications for professionals at every level of public service — federal, state, county, local, military and tribal. NAGC provides professional development, networking, and recognition through programs including the Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, Communicator of the Year Award and Rising Star Award. Learn more at nagc.com. 


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Media contact: Riya Arora, Rarora@Stratacomm.net. High-resolution photos available upon request. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: 
Andrea Iglar, NAGC Competitions Director 
(888) 285-8556 
info@nagc.com

NAGC honors City of Westminster, more than 100 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award Winners

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA (May 12, 2026) — The National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) recognized the City of Westminster, Colorado, with its Best in Show award for “‘Beneath the Surface’ - Ice Rescue Training at Standley Lake,” a compelling video showcasing best practices in ice rescue techniques. 

“Beneath the Surface,” created in response to a tragic winter fatality at a neighboring reservoir, gives a behind-the-scenes look at Westminster Fire Department’s annual ice rescue training. Filmed with specialized equipment during two rare windows of safe ice conditions, the video features dramatic underwater shots demonstrating how Westminster’s first responders overcome extreme weather challenges. The high-impact, in-house production reinforces public trust in fire department preparedness and showcases the precision and urgency of life-saving techniques. 

“The recipients of this year’s highly competitive Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards represent the very best in public service communication, demonstrating exceptional creativity, clarity and impact in the way they inform and engage the public,” NAGC president Leslie Gervasio said. “Their outstanding work highlights the essential role effective communication plays in promoting transparency, strengthening public trust and connecting communities with important information.” 

A judge who reviewed the “Beneath the Surface” video commented: “Wow, wow! What excellent cinematography and editing. And ‘high-impact’ storytelling. What an excellent product.” Another judge wrote: “This was a beautifully done video. Not only was it educational, but some of the b-roll shots were quite stunning. This video looked like it was professionally done, especially with the underwater shots.” 

In addition to Best in Show, NAGC presented 102 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen awards across 31 categories during a ceremony May 12 at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Greater Palm Springs, California. The Blue Pencil and Gold Screen international awards program recognizes superior government communication products and those who produce them. This year, peer judges reviewed 322 projects from all levels of government, including federal, state, county, local, military and tribal agencies. A full list of 2026 award recipients is available at nagc.com. 

About the National Association of Government Communicators 

The National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) is a nonprofit professional association dedicated to advancing the practice of government communications. Established in 1976, NAGC provides government communicators at all levels—federal, state, county, local, military, and tribal—with the resources, tools and networks they need to excel in their careers. NAGC offers professional development through programs like its annual Communications School, facilitates networking opportunities, and recognizes excellence in the field through the Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, Communicator of the Year Award and Rising Star Award.

Contact:

Bonfire Collective
Thomas Reeves, Co-founder, Director of Public Affairs City of Baytown
Thomas.Reeves@baytown.org, 281-420-6692

National Association of Government Communicators
Mike Swan, Executive Director
executivedir@nagc.com

Government Communicators Unite to Rebuild Public Trust:

Bonfire Collective Ignites Action at National Conference

July 30, 2025 — In a significant milestone for public sector communications, government communicators from across the country convened on May 21, 2025, at the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Communications School to inaugurate the Bonfire Collective, a bold, participatory initiative designed to spark transformative strategies that strengthen and elevate public trust in government....

Click here for the full press release