the journey

Hailed as an educational luminary, Roy Vaughn's journey took a dramatic turn when fate thrust him into the chaotic realm of External and Crisis Communications . Born into a working class family, Roy inherited a passion for hard work and shaping young minds. His teaching career blossomed, marked by innovative approaches and unwavering dedication, earning him accolades and awards in the realm of education.

However, Roy's path veered unexpectedly when he was sent to Iraq as part of the 1/206 Field Artillery unit. Operation Iraqi Freedom II changed his world view as a medical specialist and field journalist writing for the Aleutian, the unit’s newspaper. As writer and editor, Roy worked to keep families informed of what was happening around the unit and when tragedy struck keeping families abreast of the rapidly changing safety landscape of Camp Cooke (located in Al Taji, Iraq). Amid the chaos, Roy's leadership skills emerged as a beacon of hope. Drawing from his experience in education, he swiftly pivoted to crisis management, marshaling resources, coordinating communication, and providing support to unit leadership.

In the aftermath Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Roy's remarkable ability to inspire and organize did not go unnoticed. He was decorated for his leadership and work as a medical specialist and field journalist. With his background in education as a foundation, Roy now seeks a role as external and crisis communications director with a unique perspective, emphasizing community resilience, empathy, and long-term recovery.