The Travesky Team

Experienced Communications Leadership

Travesky & Associates, Ltd. provides federal, state and local levels of government with successful public outreach/community relations programs.  This is a testament to our excellent human relations skills and the ability to communicate effectively in sensitive political environments, with a variety of audiences.  We have accumulated many years of experience and are continually upgrading our professional knowledge and skills. 

Professional Affiliations and Associations:

• Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA)
  Marie Travesky, President
• Fairfax Committee of 100
• International Association of Public Participation (IAP2)
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
• Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS)

Our Principals

The Travesky & Associates’ management team brings unparalleled experience and expertise in government and community relations. With their in-depth understanding of the political process, policy issues and communications strategies, the Travesky & Associates’ management group leads one of the Washington Metropolitan region’s finest public outreach and communication teams.

Marie B. Travesky
President

Denise Nugent
Vice President

Marie B. Travesky

President           

Ms. Travesky possesses over 30 years of government and community relations experience in the public and private sectors.  She specializes in developing public and agency outreach programs and meeting facilitation.  Ms. Travesky served for eight years as a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.  During this time, she chaired the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Virginia Association of Public Transit Officials, and the Transportation Planning Board of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.  She also served as a Director of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Upon leaving the Board of Supervisors, Ms. Travesky served as a government relations liaison for her clients with Congress and governmental agencies.  In 1986, she founded Travesky & Associates, Ltd., a consulting firm specializing in designing and implementing strategic communications programs that foster public participation.  She managed the communications effort on the first Major Investment Study in the region and served as Deputy Project Manager for Public Involvement for the Dulles Corridor Rapid Transit Project. 

Ms. Travesky designs the necessary strategic communication plans for complex transportation projects, including Transportation Management Plans (TMPs).  She serves as the quality control officer on all of the firms’ projects and ensures that clients – large or small – receive personal service and attention to detail in the execution of their projects.  Ms. Travesky’s background also allows her to provide the communications tools our clients need to be successful in working with private and public stakeholders and audiences. 

Education/Awards

• Bachelor of Arts—Government & Politics, George Mason University
• Certificate in Facilitation and Group Consensus Building Skills– George Mason University
• GMU Alumni of the Year Award, School of Public & International Affairs, 2004
• Dulles Area Transportation Associations’ 9^th Annual Founders Award for
  Transportation Leadership 2011

Professional Associations

• Chairman—Community Advisory Board, WAMU 88.5 FM
• President—Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA)
• Fairfax Committee of 100
• George Mason MPA Advisory Board
• George Mason University Enterprise Center Advisory Board
• International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
• Member—WAMU 88.5 FM Development Committee
• Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS)

Denise Nugent

Vice President           

With more than 20 years of management experience, Denise Nugent develops, organizes, and directs the operations of the firm’s associates. As Vice President, Ms. Nugent is responsible for contract negotiation, program planning and evaluation, and corporate financial affairs. Ms. Nugent also develops and implements strategic communication programs and participates in public and stakeholder activities supporting transportation planning and design-build projects. She provides task leadership including overall scheduling, assignment of resources, budget review and adherence, quality control, and coordination of staff activities and vendors.  Ms. Nugent resolves operating problems related to the accomplishment of program objectives.

Working closely with consultant engineering firms and state transportation agencies, Ms. Nugent prepares strategic communication plans, crafting the methodology necessary to successfully implement public participation programs. As Project Manager, she plans and evaluates project activities and directs the professional team. She organizes, advertises, and provides follow-up from public meetings, and represents the project team at community events. She facilitates workshop discussions and manages the preparation of informational materials, websites, study documents, and project resource centers. Ms. Nugent possesses a thorough knowledge of, and sound experience in, public involvement principles, practices, and standards.

Education

• Master of Public Administration (MPA), George Mason University
• Bachelor of Arts – Political Science, Virginia Tech
• Certificate in Facilitation – USDA Graduate School
• Certificate in Facilitation and Group Consensus Building – George Mason University
• Certificate in Public Participation – International Association of Public Participation
• Certificate in Negotiation Skills – George Mason University

Professional Associations

• Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA)
• Fairfax Committee of 100
• International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
• Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS)