ABOUT US
PIA works with you to design a public involvement program that fulfills your project and communication goals, while incorporating our experience with planning and project implementation.
Public Involvement has many shapes and sizes. The most important part of a project is to identify the right stakeholders. Some projects require smaller consensus-building meetings, while others need broad-range quantifiable virtual programs and specialized focus groups. PIA helps clients identify and implement the right type of program.
PIA is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) by the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) and as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) with the Texas Comptroller's Office. PIA is also certified as a DBE in Oklahoma. In addition, PIA is pre-certified for Public Involvement through the Texas Department of Transportation.
The following associates add their solid industry expertise to PIA projects and services.
Leigh Hornsby, Ph.D.
Managing Principal
Leigh leads PIA in providing clients with customized, effective communications, public engagement, analysis, and project management services. In her more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications, Leigh has served as a public information officer, trainer, news director, anchor, reporter, and project manager.
Depending on the client’s needs and project scope, Leigh assembles a project team of PIA’s public outreach professionals to plan and implement strategic outreach efforts, data analysis, media relations, training, strategic planning, and project management. Leigh’s enthusiasm and attention to detail ensure that each client receives the exact combination of communication services they require.
Robin Joseph-Williams
AICP, LEED AP BD+C
Principal
Robin brings 20+ years of experience as a public involvement specialist, project manager, environmental specialist, and urban planner. She is committed to integrating sustainable considerations into the planning process and has a keen interest in urban revitalization initiatives. Robin is a certified trainer and facilitator through Interaction Associates and has a broad array of experience assisting non-profits with strategic planning and implementation.
Robin’s vast technical expertise and her powerful communication skills add depth and dimension to PIA’s professional team. Robin is also the founder and principal of the J. Williams Group, LLC (JWG).
Jenna Bilyeu
Communications
Jenna is a communications professional with a background in technical writing, editing and software training. As a community volunteer and leader, she has conducted community outreach; email and social media campaigns; meetings, events, and fundraisers; and grant reviews.
At PIA, Jenna provides copywriting, editing, and stakeholder identification/outreach and creates surveys and project websites.
Denver Tracy
Creative
Denver Tracy is a creative leader with expertise in building and designing high performing global marketing, communications, and commercial ad campaigns. Denver is currently Creative Director at PIA Communications. At PIA Communications, Denver sets the strategy and goals for their marketing efforts to build the PIA Communications brand and drive the company’s growth within the public involvement and transportation space. He also oversees brand, strategic marketing, consumer strategy & insights, communications, and creative.
Earlier in his career, he helped lead marketing and growth efforts at HNTB by conceptualizing the creative development and company brand voice to align with national marketing objectives. Denver played a key role in refining the North Texas Toll Authority (NTTA) brand identity by creating innovative design materials to improve sales and consumer perceptions.
A respected thought leader and subject matter expert, Denver is a champion of public health,
community engagement, and diversity initiatives. Denver is board chairman and co-found of the nonprofit Brainxcite. As board chairman of Brainxcite, he collaborates with the Brainxcite board of directors to provide free services to those whose lives are affected by traumatic brain injury within the
state of Oklahoma.
Heather Dickie
Marketing Consultant, Creative Director, Producer at Dickie + Associates
Through leadership and management, Heather Dickie has developed complete marketing communications programs for a diverse clientele; planned and coordinated new product/service introductions for businesses with local, national, and international markets; and produced multiple award-winning creative solutions.
Heather knows how to listen and interpret. She works with the team of client, strategists, and creative talent to develop and decipher the key messages using the most effective channels.
Dr. des Anges Cruser, Ph.D., MPA
PCI ProComp Solutions
As a consultant, des Anges has provided team decision-making training at the national level, conducted studies, written and acquired grants, and developed plans for behavioral healthcare for counties and provider organizations. She brings vast experience in public health planning and policy leadership to the PIA team.
Working with PIA since 2012, des Anges developed and manages the 1115 Medicaid Waiver programs in Regional Healthcare Partnership 18. She is the owner of PCI ProComp Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm focused on professional competencies in healthcare management, communications and research.
Juliette Coulter
The Coulter Group
Juliette has vast experience in public relations, public affairs and special events. Her background enables her to develop, implement and achieve positive results for clients ranging from corporations to non-profit associations.
She has managed local and national media relations for the openings of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Trinity River Audubon Center, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Dallas Arboretum’s Rory Meyer Children’s Adventure Garden and A Tasteful Place, and Lime bike/scooter launches in Texas. These openings and launches resulted in placements locally and nationally including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Nightline, The Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times.
Bruce Bleakley
Aviation Consultant, Researcher and Writer
During his 50-plus years in aviation and a 25-year Air Force career, Bruce has accumulated over 5,000 hours of flying time. He served as an instructor pilot, maintenance test pilot, aircraft commander, and missile launch crew commander. He also served as the Executive Director of the San Diego Aerospace Museum, and most recently, as the Museum Director of the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
Bleakley’s first book on North Texas aviation history, Dallas Aviation, a history of aviation in Dallas County, was published in 2011. He has subsequently written three books on the histories of major local airports: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, for DFW’s 40th anniversary in 2014; Addison Airport: Serving Business Aviation for Sixty Years, in 2017; and The Love Evolution: A Centennial Celebration of Love Field Airport and Its Art, which he coauthored with City of Dallas and Department of Aviation staff.