Veteran Communicator. Strategic Messaging Expert. Public Service Advocate.
I help organizations and government agencies explain complex systems. From environmental and US/Mexico border policy, to infrastructure and law enforcement; I deliver narratives in clear, credible, grounded language.
With over two decades of professional experience in media relations, strategic communications, and storytelling, I’ve built a reputation for translating complexity into clarity, informing the public, empowering field staff, and attracting international media coverage.
My Story
I began my career out of high school as a public affairs Soldier, deploying to Iraq, embedded with combat units in Baghdad and in the Second Battle of Fallujah—documenting battlefield realities and helping translate mission intent into public understanding. That experience shaped my approach to storytelling: truthful, grounded, and human-centered.
After the deployment, I worked as a writer and editor for college and local newspapers, and earned a B.A. in history and journalism from The Evergreen State College. After graduation, I spent several years living and working abroad as a travel writer and English teacher in Saltillo, Mexico. With ties and cultural fluency in the region, I have intimate knowledge of border policy, the realities of cartel violence, and cross-cultural dynamics. I have a passion for helping audiences understand the realities of life near the border.
Beginning in 2014, I spent over a decade as a civilian federal public affairs professional, first for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha, then the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Albuquerque. During my federal tenure, I crafted content and communication strategies, coordinated events, and worked with media to translate complex federal policy. Subjects I’ve tackled include wildlife trafficking, the US-Mexico border, environmental policy, infrastructure development, and engineering challenges.
Al Barrus 