Since 1986, Keith Pierce has built a consistent and notable reputation in communications and public relations for government, corporate and non-profit organizations. He most recently served as Press Secretary and Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Department of Education where he provided sound public relations counsel to the Secretary of Education and the senior leadership team while also providing effective leadership to the press and communications staff. 

Keith played a key role in communicating the Governor’s Plan for a New Pennsylvania, which included a robust and achievable vision for education in Pennsylvania. Through varied mediums, he helped the Secretary of Education open unprecedented lines of communication with superintendents, Intermediate Unit Directors, communications directors, principals and teachers, including statewide regional workshops never before done in Pennsylvania. Keith immediately became known for his ability to establish and communicate a clear vision, coherent strategies and strong inner-agency partnerships, resulting in considerable statewide buy-in of new education initiatives.
 
In addition to his state-level work, he served as the Director of Communications for the School District of Lancaster where he helped move the District from limited community and staff confidence to overwhelming support and real hope for the future. Even through several major crises, his extensive and assertive communications/media plan, greatly enhanced the image of the district and helped the superintendent and school board carry out aggressive reform goals with support from parents, teachers, staff and community.

Preceding Lancaster, Pierce served as the Senior Communications Associate for the Children Achieving Challenge, a $150 million program organized and funded under the Philadelphia Partnership for Reform to assist the School District of Philadelphia in implementing a radical school reform agenda.

Prior to his work in education, Pierce served as Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications for CoreStates Financial Corp where he developed and managed communications and media plans for key events and community initiatives. He managed media and crisis communications and served as a speechwriter and coach for top corporate executives. His background also includes work as a radio and cable TV broadcaster and service as a public affairs officer in both the active and reserve military.

 	Graduate of LaSalle University in Philadelphia, B.A. Communications, 1984
 	Active member of the Public Relations society of America (PRSA) and the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)
 	Featured speaker at major conferences including the PRSA International Conference, PRSA Alaska Chapter, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, Communities in Schools Network and the 48th, 49th 50th and 52nd Annual NSPRA Conferences. 
 	Serves on numerous boards including WITF TV/Radio and HOPE Worldwide
 	Numerous awards and recognition for media campaigns, newsletters and marketing strategies