JOHN J. PARRY
Catonsville, MD 21228 | - | Email:-
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnparry1/
Proven communications leader with 15+ years of experience mentoring executives, building & leading digital marketing teams, developing high-impact strategies, and scaling brands through content & digital transformation. Adept at leveraging AI-driven tools. Skilled at leading & working on cross-functional teams and thrive in developing innovative & growth-minded networks.
ATS Skills
Proven Leadership Experience | Digital Marketing | Strategic Thinking & Growth | Networking | Innovation | Brand Positioning | Stakeholder Engagement | PR Strategy | Content Strategy | Agency Oversight | Team Leadership | AI Tools | Data Storytelling | Go-to-Market Support | KPIs & ROI
CORE COMPETENCIES
Marketing Communications Strategy – Proficient in corporate branding, digital campaign planning, and aligning measurable KPIs with marketing, sales, and enterprise goals. Extensive experience launching products & personal brands across multiple markets.
Team Leadership – Built & scaled communications teams (50+), including remote teams and agency partners. Developed professionals across PR, marketing, and content strategy disciplines.
Content & Messaging – Led content pipelines & editorial calendars across digital & owned media channels. Delivered targeted messaging & executive visibility strategies through data-driven storytelling.
Media & Public Relations – Expert in media/influencer relations, executive communications, and brand protection under crisis. Experienced in CRM workflows & go-to-market messaging.
AI-Driven Tools: Use tools like ChatGPT and Copy.ai to support content creation, SEO-driven outreach, and executive thought leadership. Familiar with Meltwater, HubSpot, Cision, and Sprinklr for analytics, media monitoring, and audience engagement.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director, Strategic Communication | Executive-Level Lead (VP Equivalent) | USMC Deputy Commandant Installations & Logistics | Pentagon | Arlington, VA | 2023 – Present
Translated technical platform rollout into accessible messaging that boosted platform engagement by 500%—experience now used to guide tech adoption & brand growth for entrepreneurs.
Helped guide messaging strategies that shaped high-stakes investments across public health & tech sectors—lessons I now use to coach emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.
Advised C-suite on narrative, press positioning, and messaging frameworks, protecting the organization through two crisis-level issues with Tier 1 media & trade publication interest.
Led executive visibility strategy & content development for 50+ engagements with Congressional, business, and internal stakeholders, setting the public agenda on critical topics for the enterprise.
Director, Leadership & Training | Defense Information School | Fort Meade, MD | 2020 – 2023
Formed & led instructor teams, delivering communications & digital media instruction to 550+ communications professionals across digital storytelling, strategic planning, and values-based leadership—preparing them to lead with clarity in high-pressure environments.
Provided specialized instruction of values-based leadership & strategic communications frameworks – leveraged to coach business owners and digital entrepreneurs building purpose-led brands.
Led cross-functional planning teams in the development of graduate-level curriculum for strategic advising, communications planning, multimedia arts, military planning, and ethical leadership.
Strategic Communications Planner | Communication Directorate | Pentagon | Arlington, VA | 2019
Authored operational policy guiding service-wide strategic communications execution, ensuring message consistency and alignment with enterprise objectives.
Developed operational frameworks and governance policy for strategic communications, optimizing message delivery, audit procedures, and alignment across the Marine Corps’ enterprise.
Director, Strategic Communications | U.S. Marine Forces | Pyeongtaek, South Korea | 2018 – 2019
Implemented Presidential Directive within the Indo-Pacific Region, which coalesced key stakeholders to maximize operational security & deescalate rising tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Coordinated communications with U.S. citizens on non-combatant evacuation procedures, reducing U.S. mission risk & alleviating personnel and family concerns.
Led Marine Corps operational security for cyber & overall security with no incidents of leaks.
Director, Leadership & Training | Marine Combat Training | Camp Lejeune, NC | 2016 - 2018
Developed 5,000 personnel for combat, ensuring quality of education, learning outcomes, and care.
Advocated & ensured benefits package upgrades were delivered to Marine Corps personnel and families, improving military readiness & organizational buy-in from employees.
Director, Strategic Communications | 2d MEB | Camp Lejeune, NC |-
Developed & executed strategic communications for the largest U.S. East Coast naval exercise with seven military nations, which identified how the organization supported U.S. strategic concepts.
Built & synchronized multinational, intergovernmental communications teams in Europe, Africa, and Afghanistan resulting in accomplishment of public diplomacy objectives.
Additional Experience
Director, Public Affairs Operations | II MEF | Camp Lejeune, NC |-
Manager, Public Affairs | Marine Barracks Washington | Washington, DC |-
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration: Marketing | American Military University | GPA 3.87 | 2024
Master of Arts: Defense and Strategic Studies | Naval War College | Highest Distinction | 2023
Senior Public Affairs Course | Defense Information School | Certification | 2021
PUBLICATIONS
Owned/Earned Media
Our enemies are targeting our comms networks, Marine General says… | Business Insider | 2025
QSR Max #Barracks2030 | Owned | 2024
The Marine Corps Completed its Force-Wide Inspection. Here’s how… | Military.com | 2024
Marine camouflage uniform shortage won’t be fixed until summer | Marine Corps Times | 2024
So You Want to Work for the Federal Service | Owned | 2023
Professional Writing – Marine Corps Gazette
Optimizing Marines’ Training and Education: Citizenship and Behavior in Force Design | 2024
Winning the Battle of the Narrative: An Improved Process for Using Narratives… | 2020
