David Helfert

David Helfert teaches Public Policy Writing and Communication.  He is also an Adjunct Professor of Communication at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC.  He has taught at American University and George Mason University’s School of Public Policy, and is a visiting lecturer on presidential politics and campaigns at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Helfert brings years in the practice of political and governmental communication to the classroom.  He began as a newspaper, radio and television reporter and television news anchor, then became public information director for the Texas House of Representatives.  He was managing partner of a marketing/advertising agency for nine years and a political/governmental media consultant for seven.  Helfert’s firm won 18 Clio and Addy awards for advertising copywriting and production, and he was recognized with a national Pollie Award for creative work in political campaign media.  He wrote and produced media in more than 160 political campaigns, primarily in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. 

In 1994, he joined the William J. Clinton Administration as Communication Director for a federal agency, and in 2001, went to work in the U.S. House of Representatives.  During nine years on The Hill, he was Communication Director for two House subcommittee chairmen and Democratic spokesperson for the House Appropriations Committee.  He also trained and mentored new Democratic press secretaries.

Dave did his undergraduate work in Journalism at the University of Texas and earned a Master's degree in Public Communication at American University.

Contact Information
Campus location:
SRH 3.281