Bunton joins SIA from Policy Impact Communications, Inc., where as a senior counselor she advised an array of clients on media relations, message development, and government relations strategies. Before joining Policy Impact, Bunton was Director of Press and Public Relations at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). During her ten year tenure, she served as spokeswoman working daily with members of the national and local media.
Prior to CPB, Bunton served as a White House aide to President George H.W. Bush in the Office of Media Affairs and the Office of Presidential Speechwriting. She first came to Washington as a legislative assistant to Rep. Arthur Ravenel Jr. (R-SC). Before leaving South Carolina, Bunton and two partners founded a weekly newspaper, The Bluffton Eccentric, where she served for four years as editor.
Bunton has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in public communications, writing and public speaking at the American University School of Communications in Washington. She graduated with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of South Carolina and holds a Masters in Public Communication from the American University.
“Jeannie is an innovative, experienced communications professional who draws on her extensive background as a journalist, and spokeswoman for a national, Washington-based nonprofit organization," said Christina Martin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. "We’re delighted to have her on our team and look forward to the contributions she’ll make to help raise awareness of SIA, its mission and educational services."