USM will have a crisis communication expert speak on campus

|This is a press release from the University of Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - One of the country’s most respected crisis communication professionals will speak at the University of Southern Mississippi Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Stephen Holmes, director of corporate communication for The Home Depot, will present “Crisis Communication in a Digital World” from 11 a.m. until noon at the Thames Polymer Science Research Center, room 101 on the Hattiesburg campus.

Holmes joined The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, in 2007, where he serves as director of corporate communication. He leads a team responsible for financial communication, issues management, executive communications, and the company’s digital content site, “Built from Scratch.”

“During his extensive career in corporate communication, Mr. Holmes has established a reputation as one of the most effective crisis communication managers in the country. Much of his success can be attributed to crisis prevention, using communication and research. But he is also known for his clear-sighted, informed, and thoughtful approach to addressing situations ranging from natural disasters to data breaches,” said Dr. Vanessa Murphree, associate professor of mass communication. “Our students are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from such an accomplished professional who is nationally known for his work at one of the largest and most successful companies in the country.”

A Gulfport, Miss., native, Holmes earned a bachelor’s from Mississippi College and completed postgraduate work at the University of Mississippi. Prior to joining The Home Depot, Holmes served as public relations manager for UPS. Both companies are based in Atlanta.