ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Blake Shepherd.
Hello! I'm Blake Shepherd,
and I'm excited to announce my candidacy for Staunton City Council. I've been the PR Marketing Specialist at James Madison University since 2016, where I oversee advertising and marketing for the award-winning nationally recognized student media organization, The Breeze.
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With a background in sales, marketing, and Virginia Press Association award-winning work, I bring unique insight into advertising's evolving landscape. I actively network with local and national organizations to generate revenue streams supporting student journalism. I am passionate and delighted to work with and advise JMU students, but my most fulfilling pursuit is mentoring JMU students, who have touched my life in an especially meaningful way.
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My career has yielded success in corporate roles and launching my own publications, as well as earning national, regional, and state awards for sales achievements and marketing across multiple industries. I credit my success to exceptional customer service and market knowledge.
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I spent my youth between the Midwest and Massachusetts but have called Staunton home since 1991, where I live with my wife Carol, a native Virginian. Our daughter, Liz Shepherd, who is a JMU Duke, is pursuing a master's in architecture at Rhode Island School of Design. In my free time, I enjoy the beach, landscaping, woodworking, and being an avid basketball fan.
MY CAMPAIGN SLOGAN
Working together.
After careful consideration, I chose to begin my campaign slogan with "working together" due to my belief in the power of community collaboration and the power of teamwork. It’s a reminder that our strength lies in our unity and shared efforts. By working together, we can ensure that every citizen's voice is heard and their needs are met. This campaign is about building a future that benefits all of us, fostering a sense of belonging and collective progress.
Growing together.
It's my goal to grow and expand some of the positive programs we already have in Staunton. I hope to expand economic development, tourism, affordable housing, the downtown arts and music scene, and many other programs and intiatives that work to help our community as a whole.
For the citizens of Staunton.
The word "citizens" is at the heart of this slogan because it highlights my dedication to each and every person in Staunton. By focusing on the citizens, I hope to ensure that our policies and initiatives are designed with your best interests in mind, creating a city that truly serves its people. I intend to hear from as many citizens of Staunton as possible during the next few months to ensure all policies are citizen-focused.