Laura joined the former DHEC as a public information officer with Media Relations in September 2018. She has more than 10 years of experience as a public information specialist for state and county government. During her six years at DHEC, Laura focused on supporting the Environmental Affairs half of the agency by working with EA leadership to respond to media and interview requests, write and send news releases, and help better educate South Carolinians about EA’s roles and services. 

Laura has a communications and writing degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. She holds several public information and emergency response certifications from FEMA, CDC, and other agencies, and she's the recipient of more than 40 Kentucky Press Association awards. Laura has worked as an editor and reporter at newspapers in Kentucky, Colorado and Illinois; a book editor at a publishing house; and a production assistant for The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.  

She hails from the small town of Hollsopple, Pa., and currently lives in Blythewood with her husband and sons.