John Stokes comes to the Department of General Services (DGS) after having served as the Deputy Director of Community Engagement at the Department of Parks and Recreation. At DPR, he worked directly for the former director there, Keith Anderson, and was responsible for extensive community engagement and outreach for a plethora of programs and services across all eight wards. In this capacity, he was responsible for the agency’s Permitting Division, oversaw the Communications Division, and the Roving Leaders. Prior to this, he was the Chief of Staff at DPR where he directed all facets of daily operations to ensure compliance with federal and local laws, policies, rules and regulations. He provided oversight, organization and direction related to government affairs, media relations, budget and corporate and community involvement. He was voted ‘Best Civil Servant’ by the Washington City Paper in 2011 and assisted First Lady Michelle Obama with her national ‘Let’s Move’ campaign. As Director of Communications at DPR, John evaluated and provided a full range of strategic communications policies and tactics including media relations and brand platform development. Prior to his lengthy service with DPR, Mr. Stokes was Public Affairs Officer at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), where he increased participation by youth in the Free Summer Meals program by nearly 50%, helping to bring the program to its now #1 status in the nation. Prior to his District Government work, John was a Senior Account Executive with Infinity Broadcasting in Lanham, Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from St. Joseph’s University.

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