Dorothy White
Dorothy possesses more than four decades of media relations and journalism experience. She started her career in 1983 in television news, where she spent 20 years working for a variety of prominent local news stations in Texas and Alabama, including Dallas/Fort Worth’s NBC and CW affiliates and Birmingham, Alabama’s Fox affiliate. Dorothy then committed the next 21 years of her career to the City of Garland, where she managed a variety of disaster and crisis communication initiatives as well as media relations for numerous citywide programs and events as the city’s public and media relations director.
During her time at the City of Garland, Dorothy and her team received recognition from the Lone Star Emmy Chapter, the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO), the Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors (TATOA), the National Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors (NATOA) and the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) for excellence in communications. In 2023, TAMIO honored Dorothy with the Cheryl A. Soward Communicator of Distinction Award.
Dorothy graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Additionally, Dorothy earned a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Texas at Dallas and she recently received a public communicator certification from Texas Christian University. Dorothy has also completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Advanced PIO course at Emergency Management Institute.
What inspires you?
I’m blessed to have a daughter who creates musical art. She inspires me the most. I’m also touched by the simple beauties in life, whether it’s time with family or a glorious sunset. Each experience reminds me to relish the joys of life and let them refuel me when I need it.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I love camping and hiking with a camera in hand and singing in a choir or in the car with one of my favorite songs cranked up!
What can’t you do without?
Coffee… and neither can anyone who has to deal with me in the mornings.
Why are you passionate about public sector communications?
When I got involved in journalism at the beginning of my career, my goal was to “do some good.” Moving into government communications was an even greater opportunity to make a difference, particularly in local government. People encounter the work of local government every day, whether from turning on the water, driving on the streets, benefitting from public safety efforts or countless other projects and processes they might not readily see. Public sector communicators have endless opportunities to help people better understand the impact government has on their lives and, in turn, influence how effective government can be.