Habetler’s company Dynamic Communication Strategies (also known as DCS Consulting) will be taken over by long-time associate Kelli Matthews. Matthews has assisted Habetler on four fatality incidents in the industry and assisted in developing public relations strategies, crisis plans and websites to help companies navigate through a difficult time with their reputation intact. Matthews will retain the company name.

“Kelli Matthews has provided invaluable assistance in my response to fatality incidents such as First Strike Environmental and Grayback Forestry, as well as, GH Ranch and Diamond Fire,” said Habetler. “She is a talented communicator with the media and has a very good understanding of the industry and its challenges. I feel very confident that she will provide excellent support to the wildland firefighting companies.”

Matthews brings a decade of strategic communication experience, including managing high-level media contacts, building relationships with key stakeholders and planning for crises. She holds a master’s degree from the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon.

Habetler says that making the decision to leave this important work was a difficult one. “How do you stop responding to that phone call where the person on the other end has just lost firefighters or experienced other kinds of catastrophe?” she said. “There is nothing like the feeling that you are truly helping a company get through the worst experience imaginable. I feel a deep connection to every company I have worked with and thank them for their trust in me.”

Habetler said that finding someone with Matthews’ talent and experience helped her make that difficult decision to step away.
“Not everyone can do this work. You have to care but be able to be on your game when media are swooping down on you. She can do that and much more.”

You can contact Kelli at kelli@dcsconsulting.biz or 541.579.5888