Kimberly Prato
Why PRSA? Membership in PRSA allows public relations professionals the venue to interact with educators, executives and influential people in the PR field. Our monthly learning opportunities and local chapter functions offer members the juncture to not only further knowledge in a dynamic, ever changing field; they also foster solid relationships on which to build. Being a member of PRSA means you are genuinely committed to the preservation of public relations as an integral element of any organization.
Kimberly Dimo Prato is an experienced public relations professional of over 20 years, beginning as a visual coordinator for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut. Prato went on to become a television reporter, writer and producer at various stations across the United States. She worked on movie sets and in the production of television shows.
Moving to Japan, Prato became a public affairs officer for the U.S. Army. She managed a staff mix of military and local nationals to design and deliver the “Coral Currier” and “Tori” newspapers and was also responsible for community relations with the Japanese. Prato served as media spokesperson and coached senior military officials for stories on tier one media such as CNN, AP, BBC, Fox news and various newspaper and radio outlets. Upon returning stateside, she became head of public affairs for Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. She was promoted to director of community relations and deputy force public relations officer for Commander, Naval Air Forces.
In 2005, Prato opened her own PR firm but was quickly offered a position with Northrop Grumman. She joined the company as a contractor and was offered the position of senior manager, business communications for the company's unmanned systems business in San Diego. There she managed public relations, media relations, communications and civic affairs for unmanned systems programs. In this role, Prato was responsible for managing strategic and tactical communication programs that support the sector's unmanned products.
Prato holds a master's in public administration and affairs from the University of Oklahoma with a healthcare emphasis and is a member of the Phi Alpha Alpha Honors Society. She holds a bachelor of arts in communication and a psychology minor from Central Connecticut State University. Prato currently serves on the board of directors for the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter. In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her husband Tony; golf, horseback riding, reading, spending time with family and friends, and trying new things.