THERESA GUNN
Owner and President, Gunn Communications
Experience Summary
Theresa Gunn is a results-oriented professional with 25 years of experience in public involvement, communitybased planning, meeting facilitation, project management and government relations. A proven leader able to
facilitate community consensus on difficult issues, Theresa utilizes teamwork, creativity, and effective written and
verbal communications. She designs unique public involvement programs suited for specific audience segments
and is a resourceful and dedicated problem-solver.
Education
MS, Organizational Management, 1995
University of Phoenix
BS, Journalism/Public Relations, 1984
Oklahoma State University
Special Skills
IAP2 Certificate Training Course in Public
Participation
Facilitation Design and Implementation
Problem Solving Techniques
Project Management
Licensed Co-Nexus Facilitator (Computer
Decision-Making)
Honors
2011-12 International Association for Public
Participation USA, President
2011-12 IAP2 International Board of
Directors, Treasurer
2010 Outstanding Vendor, Arizona Transit
Association
1995 Outstanding Masters of Arts in
Organization Management Student,
University of Phoenix
1994 Outstanding Transit Individual, Arizona
Transit Association
1984 Top 10 Graduate and Outstanding
Woman in Communications, Oklahoma
State University
Years of Experience
25
Years with Firm
15
Gunn Communications, Inc., 1997–Present
As public involvement lead, Theresa has successfully
completed over 50 projects since 1997 for a wide variety of
clients both government and private sector.
Transportation Projects
Theresa has provided public involvement and public information
services for a wide variety of transportation projects including
widening local streets, siting and constructing new freeways,
developing new transit center/park-and-ride facilities, extending
light rail, and planning for new bus rapid transit service, regional
prartransit services, and urban and rural transit programs. Outreach
has been conducted during all phases of the projects from feasibility
studies, to alternative analysis, NEPA planning, final design and
construction. Theresa is experienced working on federal funded
projects and meeting Federal Highway Administration requirements.
Government Agencies
Theresa provides a wide variety of services to local, state, regional
and federal government agencies such as obtaining community
input on upcoming bond elections, training board and commission
members, facilitating citizen advisory committees, engaging
residents in a community dialogue, updating a general plan, strategic
planning with the city council, and mediating disputes with key
stakeholders.
Environmental Programs
For many years, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
has used Theresa as their go to facilitator for policy development
and rulemaking for air, water and waste programs. Theresa has also
designed and implemented community outreach programs for
national forest issues, clean-up of Superfund sites, effluent recharge
projects and game and fish programs.
Utilities
Theresa has provided community outreach services to power and
water utilities. She engaged the community in helping design a new
natural gas fired power plant and in developing above ground cask
storage for nuclear waste. Theresa facilitated a process for
420 W Roosevelt, Suite 108 • Phoenix, AZ 85033 • (623) 362-1597 • www.gciaz.com
THERESA GUNN
Owner and President, Gunn Communications
Current/Recent Projects:
City of Flagstaff, Regional Plan Citizen
Advisory Committee
City of Phoenix, Broadway Road Corridor
Improvements
Arizona Transit Association, Facilitation and
Committee Support
Flood Control District of Maricopa County,
Pinnacle Peak West (sub to JE Fuller)
Avenida Rio Salado/Broadway Road, Final
design of street improvements (sub to
AZTEC)
Arizona Department of Transportation,
Collaboration with ACEC (sub to Godec
Randall)
decommissioning a hydro power plant and helped water utilities
develop a community outreach program and develop a
sustainability plan.
Community Development
Community outreach programs have been implemented for urban
planning and community development projects such as master
planning a new community, to improving development services
processes, creating a new general plan, and getting input on large
community projects. Theresa also provided long-term support in
managing community advisory panels for Intel Corporation.
Non-Profit Organizations
Theresa frequently works with non-profit organizations by
facilitating board of director retreats and assisting them with
strategic planning.
Regional Public Transportation Authority,
Phoenix AZ, 1990–1991; 1992–1997
Community Relations Officer
Planned and implemented strategic communication programs to
ensure public participation in agency decision-making. Utilized
project newsletters, open houses, and other public events. Public
involvement programs included siting transit centers in downtown
Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale; a regional citizen participation
process to develop a new transit plan for Maricopa County; and,
facilitation of community forums in the cities of Chandler, Peoria,
Phoenix, and Mesa.
420 W Roosevelt, Suite 108 • Phoenix, AZ 85033 • (623) 362-1597 • www.gciaz.com