Matt Sabo

Creates simple, engaging content that connects with audiences and moves them to action. Progressive experience in content production, public relations, strategic communications, media relations, marketing, technical writing, requests for proposals.

Communications & Marketing Director at Mount Rogers Community Services (2025-12 – Present)

Develops and implements agency-wide communications, public relations, and marketing efforts across a five-county region of southwest Virginia. Represents the organization in the media and in community engagement efforts. Creates and manages all print and web-based communications as well as managing events and elevating the agency's brand.

• Driving 86% increase in social media engagement
• SEO-driven web content is moving organization up search engine lists

External Communications Specialist at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (2025-08 – 2025-11)

Lead writer for REC articles in external and internal publications, media releases, web content, feature stories. Lauded for writing quality, bringing fresh story ideas, and taking initiative on projects to include crisis communications, website proofreading and editing.

• Lead writer for REC articles in external and internal publications, media releases, web content, feature stories
• Lauded for writing quality, bringing fresh story ideas, and taking initiative on projects to include crisis communications, website proofreading and editing

Strategic Communications Manager at Aptive Resources (2021-12 – 2025-03)

Led $6+ million marketing and branding effort for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Patient Advocacy (OPA) that raised profile of office among Veterans, helping them get better access to health care they have earned with their service. Edited and wrote content for RFPs.

• Developed and executed PR, marketing, and communications strategy to elevate brand of VHA office to help Veterans navigate a sometimes complex health care system
• Increased OPA website visits by 60% through strategic marketing and communications efforts that targeted Veterans, their families, and caregivers
• Improved employee engagement and reduced turnover through curriculum, training materials, targeted messaging and employee tool kits for new software and other tasks
• Partnered directly with executive leadership to craft internal strategic communications supporting major organizational changes and policy implementations
• Created comprehensive change management communications that clarified the why, what, and how behind organizational shifts, ensuring stakeholder alignment
• Implemented multi-channel internal communications approach including intranet content, email campaigns, and leadership messaging
• Worked with C-suite executives to develop strategic PR messaging, executive speeches, and stakeholder presentations for high-profile industry engagements
• Translated complex organizational priorities into accessible curriculum and narratives
• Developed thought leadership content and executive communications that enhanced stakeholder relationships and supported strategic business objectives

Manager at Blue Water Thinking (2021-09 – 2021-12)

Developed strategic internal and external communications for new Veterans Affairs program, focusing on change management and stakeholder adoption.

• Developed strategic internal and external communications for new Veterans Affairs program, focusing on change management and stakeholder adoption

Site Communications Lead at Guidehouse (2020-11 – 2021-09)

Led site communications and change management strategy for the Veterans Health Administration's enterprise health record modernization (EHRM) effort across multiple sites. Editor on RFPs.

• Managed organization's change communications during system implementation
• Developed stakeholder engagement strategies that improved adoption rates and reduced resistance to organizational change
• Applied data-driven approaches to measure communication effectiveness and continuously improve messaging strategy

Senior Writer / Producer at Index AR Solutions (2020-01 – 2020-11)

Led technical writing and design team producing 20+ multimedia eBooks integrating text, video, and augmented reality for Midwest and Southern electric utility industry clients.

• Improved content readability and workforce engagement by 30%. Developed marketing content that enhanced company profile and drove new business in utility sectors
• Simplified complex technical content for curriculum to train utility industry workforce

Senior Consultant & Senior Writer at Atlas Research (2016-12 – 2020-01)

Led strategic communications rollout for federal Forever GI Bill implementation, managing PR elements and complex organizational change communications. Contributed to RFPs.

• Developed comprehensive PR & communications strategy supporting implementation of 15 major provisions of Colmery Act to enhance and expand benefits for Veterans that led tens of thousands of Veterans to access these new benefits

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism – University of Portland

Master's Degree in Communication – Purdue University