Gail Morgan has more than 35 years of communications experience in the public-sector and nonprofit arena. She currently serves as Chief Strategist at SMPA, Inc. where she puts her three-plus decades of strategic communications experience to work serving SMPA clients.
As the City’s first Communications Manager for Santa Clarita, Gail created a comprehensive city communications division from the ground up. During her 27 years at the City, Gail developed and implemented a host of creative communications tools and tactics. These included innovative projects and programs for marketing, public participation, social media and outreach that were integral to the City achieving positive regional and national exposure.
In Santa Clarita, Gail served as the Communications point person and Public Information Officer (PIO) during 11 federally-declared disasters ranging from earthquakes to fires and floods. She successfully helped the City navigate through the aftermath of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, dealing with issues including a red-tagged City Hall building, loss of electricity, gas and water, and a myriad of other problems that made it difficult to communicate with residents.
At SMPA, Inc. Gail works on behalf of clients in the areas of crisis communications, media, public and community relations, strategic communications and marketing.
Gail is the recipient of the California Public Information Officer’s (CAPIO) prestigious Paul B. Clark Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding work as a communications professional in the public sector. She has won more than 30 State-wide CAPIO Awards over the years and has also earned numerous national SAVVY Awards from the City/County Communications and Marketing Association.
In addition to her award-winning work, Gail regularly mentors young professionals coming up in the field of public relations and communications. Many of her mentees have moved on to successful communications careers.
Gail is the mother of five, including two sets of twins (twin sons and twin step-daughters) and a son currently serving in the military. She enjoys volunteering in the community, including serving at the Rescue Mission Alliance women’s shelter, the Lighthouse in Oxnard, and also at Mission Church, Ventura.