Amy Jones Schwinge MAOM

A communications professional with more than 16 years’ experience, Amy Jones Schwinge serves as media relations manager for Mary Beth West Consulting. Her experience includes media relations, internal and external corporate communications, union relations, government relations, community relations, marketing communications, non-profit communications and strategic event management.

Amy has served in a variety of communications management positions in the corporate sector. She held the position of regional assistant public relations Manager for General Motors in the Southeastern region of the United States. Covering 13 states, she focused on media relations with automotive, lifestyle, business and mainstream media. She also provided communications counsel for GM executives, planned and executed special events and managed community relations activities.

Previously, Amy managed external and internal communications for approximately 4,000 employees at the GM Doraville Assembly Plant, just outside of Atlanta. In addition to implementing GM’s five common communications processes, Amy focused on improving supervisor communications and coordinated special events, such as Dale Earnhardt driving GM’s one-millionth minivan off the Doraville assembly line and the Olympic Torch Relay making a stop at the plant. She also provided communications counsel for GM executives and coordinated community relations activities. Amy worked very closely with union officials and employees.

Prior to GM, Amy was the communications manager at the Boeing-Oak Ridge facility in Tennessee for five years where she was responsible for all external and internal communications, community relations, government relations and employee recognition. She also worked closely with union officials at Boeing. Her student internship experience while at the University of Tennessee--Knoxville included working as public affairs associate at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by Lockheed Martin; publications assistant at Children’s Hospital; and intern at East Tennessee Special Technology Access Center.

Amy’s educational experience consists of a bachelor’s degree in communications (Public Relations concentration in Journalism) and a minor in English from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. While attending the University of Tennessee, Amy was the chairperson of PR Concepts, the student-managed public relations firm at the university, and PR Director for the local Public Relations Student Society of America chapter.

Amy is a long-time member of the Public Relations Society of America and past member of the Southeast Automotive Media Organization.

Amy’s community service includes serving as a board member and communications chairperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) East Tennessee Chapter. Her past volunteer contributions include working with the following non-profit organizations: American Heart Association Oak Ridge District (board member), American Museum of Science & Energy (board member), East Tennessee Economic Counsel, Junior Achievement, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Partners in Education, Southern Growth Policies Board and Tennessee Association of Business.

She and her husband, Guy, live in Knoxville with their young daughter and son.