Lukas “TJ” Atwell

Atwell Communications LLC is a veteran-owned public relations and strategic communications practice based in New Hampshire.

I founded the company to provide organizations and leaders with experienced communications support without the cost or complexity of a large agency or full-time senior hire. I work directly with clients on communications strategy, public relations, community engagement, content development, media relations, crisis preparation and professional training.

My clients and projects have included public schools, construction companies, government organizations, authors and other leaders whose work depends on public understanding and trust.

Professional background

I have more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, communications leadership and professional instruction.

I served as deputy public affairs director for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, where I supported leadership communication, media relations, public outreach and regional issues affecting communities throughout New England.

Before that, I served as a U.S. Marine Corps public affairs and communication strategy leader. My assignments included advising commanders and senior leaders, managing public affairs operations, leading communication teams and supporting organizations during routine operations, major exercises and fast-moving events involving public attention and operational risk.

I also served as a public affairs leadership instructor at the Defense Information School. There, I taught communication planning, crisis communication, media engagement, leadership decision-making and professional ethics to military and government communicators.

That experience remains an important part of my practice, but it is not the limit of it. My work today also includes helping school leaders communicate with families and communities, supporting small businesses with practical public relations and content, and advising authors and publishing partners as they prepare work for public release.

The practice

Atwell Communications began through ongoing communications work with professionals in the construction industry while I was still serving in government. That work developed into a formal consulting practice built around a straightforward idea: smaller organizations should be able to access experienced communications support without hiring a full agency or adding a permanent executive position.

Some clients need a communications plan or audit. Others need regular content, media support, community engagement, leadership counsel or help building a repeatable communications operation. Engagements are shaped around the organization, its audiences and the work that actually needs to be done.

Services may include:

• Public relations and media support

• Communications planning and audits

• Community and stakeholder engagement

• Leadership messaging and executive communication

• Content development and organizational storytelling

• Crisis and issues communication

• Media preparation and professional training

• Fractional communications support

How I work

Clients work directly with me from discovery through execution.

I begin by learning the organization, its goals, its audiences and its operating constraints. From there, I help determine what communication is necessary, what is realistic and what will provide useful value.

The work is practical, candid and designed to fit the organization rather than force it into a standard package. Sometimes that means advising leadership. Sometimes it means building a communications system. Sometimes it means writing the story, preparing the interview or helping the team carry the work forward themselves.

Contact

For public relations, strategic communications, training or fractional support, contact Atwell Communications through the form below.